Lichen Hypogymnia Physodes Research Articles

Preparation of antibacterial composite aerogel for biomedical purposes based on alginate-chitosan complex and calcium carbonate

Aerogel composites were synthesized on the basis of the sodium alginate-chitosan interpolymer complex with the inclusion of calcium carbonate microparticles and supercritical drying. It is shown that the textural characteristics of materials do not depend on the morphology of calcium carbonate particles: the specific surface area of aerogels is almost the same for all materials and amounts to 380–400 m2/g. The developed porous structure of composites along with the polyelectrolyte nature determines their high water absorption— up to 110 g/g. To impart antimicrobial properties, the materials were impregnated with atranorin isolated from the lichen Hypogymnia physodes, which has a pronounced inhibitory effect on the bacterium Proteus mirabilis, which is the main causative agent of wound infections. The minimum suppressive concentration of atranorine is 1 mg/ml. The release of the main amount of atranorine aerosol material included in the matrix occurs within 4 hours and amounts to 50%.

Активность супероксиддисмутазы и каталазы в лишайниках с разным составом фотобионтов

Data on the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in the thalli of the cyanolichen Peltigera praetextata and the green algal lichen Hypogymnia physodes (See Fig. 1) at different ontogenetic conditions are not available in the literature. At the same time, the study of antioxidant system of lichen thalli with different photobionts during ontogenesis is relevant and can contribute to understanding the mechanisms of adaptation of symbionts to changing environmental conditions, and also serve as indicators of the functional state of the organism. The aim of the study was to investigate the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes in lichen thalli P. praetextata and H. physodes at different stages of ontogenesis. P. praetextata and H. physodes thalli samples were collected from aspen and pine trunks under similar ecological conditions of mixed aspen-spruce communities in the middle taiga (62°15'15.9'' N, 33°58'746.1'' E, 61°50'17'' N, 34°23'13'' E, the Republic of Karelia) and northern taiga (64°34'13.9' 'N, 43°15'48'' E, Arkhangelsk Oblast, 64° 33'19'' N, 30°20'46'' E, the Republic of Karelia). Based on morphological features, thalli samples were divided into groups of different age. P. praetextata thalli were divided into 3 groups: virginal (pregenerative, young thalli without reproduction structures), generative (thalli with apothecia and phyllidia – structures of vegetative reproduction), and senile thalli (thalli with signs of degradation over a larger area). H. physodes thalli were divided into 2 groups: virginil and senile thalli; generative thalli with apothecia are extremely rare in the study areas. Catalase activity measured based on enzymatic degradation of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase activity was determined spectrophotometrically by inhibition of photoreduction of nitroblue tetrazolium, protein content was determined by the method Bradford. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using one-way analysis of variance. The protein content (mg/g dry mass) in P. praetextata thalli within the studied sample averaged 1.12 ± 0.09, in H. physodes thalli – 2.45 ± 0.32. The activity of superoxide dismutase (units/mg of protein) in thalli of P. praetextata reached an average of 0.34 ± 0.12, in thalli of H. physodes – 0.09 ± 0.01. The values of catalase activity (µmol H2O2/µg protein) in P. praetextata thalli averaged 2.06 ± 0.48, H. physodes – 0.49 ± 0.07. For the thalli of the cyanolichen P. praetextata, a lower (2 times) protein content (See Fig. 2) and a higher (4-5 times) activity of superoxide dismutase (See Fig. 3) and catalase (See Fig. 4) were found in compared with the chlorobiont lichen H. physodes. The species P. praetextata belongs to the group of cyanolichens, and its photobiont is cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc located in the algal layer of the thallus. In both lichen species, the maximum values of catalase activity were established for virginal thalli, and the minimum values for senile thalli. Perhaps this is due to the high intensity of "growth respiration" of young lichen thalli, which leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species. Differences in the activity of superoxide dismutase in thalli of different ontogenetic stages in the studied species were not shown. In the thalli of P. praetextata and H. physodes, the activity of catalase in thalli from the northern taiga communities is higher than in the thalli of the middle taiga, while the activity of superoxide dismutase, on the contrary, was on average higher in the lichen thalli of the middle taiga. This might be due to variability in the intensity of photosynthesis and respiration along the latitudinal gradient. In lichens, catalase activity can be a marker of mycobiont respiration, and superoxide dismutase activity is a marker of photobiont photosynthesis. The question of contribution of the fungal or algal components of the lichen thallus to the activity of antioxidant enzymes remains open.

Reaction of the Lichen Hypogymnia physodes to Dust Pollution in the Influence Zone of the Middle Timan Bauxite Mine

Reaction of the Lichen Hypogymnia physodes to Dust Pollution in the Influence Zone of the Middle Timan Bauxite Mine

Accumulation of 137Cs by Thallus of Epiphytic Lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl on Different Trunk Height in Pine Stands

Lichens are considered by researchers as bioindicators of environmental pollution by artificial radionuclides, including 137Cs. One of these bioindicator species is epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl, the use of which for radioecological monitoring can be modified by several factors: tree species, placement on the tree (branches – trunk), height of sampling, etc. The purpose of this study was to investigate the specific activity of 137Cs in thalli of hypogymnia in pine stands: on trunks of Pinus sylvestris L. and Betula pendula Roth at different heights of sampling in 3 height ranges: 0–65, 65–130, and 130–195 cm, and to analyse the intensity of radionuclide accumulation in the “lichen thallus – tree bark” link for both tree species in all height ranges. The study was conducted in August 2021 in the Korosten district of the Zhytomyr Oblast, Zhytomyr Polissia, on 4 test plots, in the Drevlianskyi nature reserve, mainly in middle-aged pine stands with an admixture of birch, where 130 samples of soil, tree bark, and lichen were taken. Specific activity of 137Cs in the samples was measured using a SEG-001 “AKP-s”-150 gamma-ray spectrometer with a BDEG-20R2 scintillation detector (NaI(Tl). It was demonstrated that the content of 137Сs in the thalli of Hypogymnia physodes at different altitude ranges did not differ statistically significantly at the 95% confidence level in all test plots on pine. A preliminary conclusion was made on the possibility of sampling Hypogymnia physodes thalli on pine trunks in the height range of 0–195 cm; however, for the convenience of sampling, it is recommended to perform sampling within 130–195 cm. It has been proven that both the specific activity of 137Сs in Hypogymnia physodes thalli and the intensity of 137Сs accumulation in the chain “Hypogymnia physodes - tree bark” are approximately 2 times higher on pine compared to birch. It was found that on a birch, the content of 137Сs in lichen between the height ranges of 0–65 and 65–130 cm, and 0–65 and 130–195 cm differs significantly at the 95% confidence level; therefore, it is recommended to sample Hypogymnia physodes on a birch in the range of 65–130 cm.

Biological Monitoring Using Lichens as a Source of Information About Contamination of Mountain with Heavy Metals

Abstract The aim of this study was passive biomonitoring of the mountains of southern Poland. Lichens Hypogymnia physodes were used for the study. Concentrations of the heavy metals Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were determined in these lichens. The concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The analysis of the concentrations of the determined heavy metals in the lichen thallus allowed to determine the places with the highest and the lowest contamination with a given heavy metal in the study area. It was shown that the area of Great Czantoria and Big Soszow is the most contaminated with heavy metals among the investigated areas. The study shows that the transport of analytes with the wind from distant emission sources, low-level emission (coal burning), and traffic have the greatest influence on the level of atmospheric aerosol pollution in the study area.

Estimation of atmospheric deposition utilizing lichen Hypogymnia physodes, moss Hypnum cupressiforme and soil in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Estimation of atmospheric deposition utilizing lichen Hypogymnia physodes, moss Hypnum cupressiforme and soil in Bosnia and Herzegovina

ACCUMULATION OF 137Cs BY LICHEN HYPOGYMNIA PHYSODES (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE GOMEL REGION)

The paper presents the results of determining the 137Cs content in the biomass of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes, which growing in pine forests on the territory of the Gomel region with various levels of radioactive contamination.The research was carried out both in conditionally clean and radioactively contaminated areas with 137Cs soil contamination density from 37 to 1488 kBq m-2. The high accumulating capacity of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes in relation to 137Cs was shown, as well as an increase in the concentration of the radionuclide in the lichens biomass with an increase in the density of soil contamination. Differences in 137Cs accumulation by the lichen Hypogymnia physodes, growing in uneven-aged pine stands, were noted. The lowest concentrations of 137Cs were noted in the samples growing in mature pine forests, while thalli sampled from young pine stands contain significant amounts of the radionuclide.

ФОТОЗАЩИТНЫЕ, ЦИТОТОКСИЧЕСКИЕ И ФОТОМОДИФИЦИРУЮЩИЕ СВОЙСТВА НЕПОЛЯРНЫХ ФРАКЦИЙ БИОМАССЫ ЛИШАЙНИКОВ В ОТНОШЕНИИ КУЛЬТУРЫ КЕРАТИНОЦИТОВ ЧЕЛОВЕКА (HaCAT)

In vitro, the photoprotective, cytotoxic and photomodifying properties of hexane and benzene extracts from the widely distributed in Belarus lichens Cladonia arbuscula, Evernia prunastri, Hypogymnia physodes, Ramalina pollinaria and Xanthoria parietina in the culture of human keratinocytes (HaCAT), are estimated. It was found that these extracts are not photoprotective, they have a photomodifying effect upon irradiation of keratinocyte cultures with ultraviolet light. Hexane extract of E. prunastri and benzene extracts of R. pollinaria and H. physodes at a concentration of 2.5 μg/ml are photoprotectors that weaken the effect of ultraviolet radiation by 1.6 ÷ 1.8 times. Extracts of C. arbuscula and X. parietina are photosensitizers – they increase the toxic effect of ultraviolet radiation by 10 or more times, regardless of the concentration of the extract in the nutrient medium. Hexane and benzene extracts of C. arbuscula and H. physodes lichens are cytotoxic to the HaCAT culture. With an increase in the dose of ultraviolet irradiation of keratinocytes from zero to lethal values, the benzene extract of R. pollinaria acted as a photoprotector at a concentration of 2.5 μg / ml, and as a photosensitizer at higher concentrations. The hexane and benzene extracts of E. prunastri and H. physodes exhibited sensitizing properties that increased with an increase in the concentration of lichen extracts. C. arbuscula hexane extract and X. parietina benzene extract were the most potent photosensitizers.

Calcium has protective impact on cadmium-induced toxicity in lichens

Eventual protective action of calcium (Ca, 100 or 1000 μM) against cadmium (Cd, 10 or 100 μM) toxicity in common lichen Hypogymnia physodes after 24 h of exposure was studied. Total Cd reached 482 and 2801 μg/g DW in 10 and 100 μM Cd treatments while Ca content reached over 23 mg/g DW in 1000 μM Ca treatment. Ca suppressed Cd accumulation by 23 and 38% in total fraction and completely in absorbed fraction. Fluorescence microscopy of Cd and Ca ions revealed good correlation with quantitative data. Cd stimulated increase in ROS formation and lipid peroxidation as detected using fluorescent reagents and quantification of H2O2 while co-application of Ca suppressed these effects. Formation of nitric oxide was mainly affected by cadmium. Cd depleted amount of amino acids but proteins or phenols remained unaffected by Cd or Ca. On the contrary, sum of thiols, reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid were depleted by Cd but reversed mainly by higher Ca dose. Among organic acids, only Cd-induced depletion of citric acid content was reversed by Ca. Data indicate that ameliorative effect of Ca under Cd excess in lichens is comparable with effect in plants and metabolic responses in various life lineages are discussed.

Estimating the effectiveness of protection against UV radiation with extracts of lichen Hypogymnia physodes in biological systems in vivo

The reactivity of biological systems to UV-A/B and the photoprotective potential of skin applications of lichen extracts Hypogymnia physodes according to the biochemical parameters of blood and morphometric parameters of the skin were evaluated in vivo in laboratory mice. Ethanol, acetone and hexane–acetone extracts (1 % in dimethylsulfoxide) effectively absorb the UV range inducing the most erythema. On the 4th day after UV-A/Вirradiation, severe brown burns of the back skin, severe erythema and edema, scab formation were observed. In serum, there were significantly changed biochemical parameters – the prooxidant capacity, the level of nitrate/nitrite-ions NOx, advanced oxidation protein products AOPP, glutathioneperoxidase activity GPx increased, the level of SH-groups reduced. Solutions of extracts (5 %) in dimethylsulfoxide at a different degree exhibited the photoprotective effect: morphologically – in minimizing the burn symptoms of the skin (edema, erythema, scab); biochemically – in the regulation of these parameters at the control level. According to the set of biochemical and morphometric parameters, the most promising photoprotectors were acetone extracts. The prooxidant capacity, GPx, AOРР (in all cases reduced) and NOx showed a non-specificity and rather high sensitivity and are more suitable for estimating inflammatory and oxidative processes. The highest efficiency and the adequacy to the tasks and the specifications are shown by the level of protein SH-groups.

The HR-CS-GF-AAS determination and preconcentration of palladium in contaminated urban areas, especially in lichens

The increasing content of platinum group metal particles emitted into the environment by car traffic is gradually attracting the attention of the scientific community. However, the methods for the determination of platinum group metals in environmental matrices are either costly or suffer from low sensitivity. To facilitate the use of less sensitive, but significantly cheaper, devices, the preconcentration of platinum group metals is employed. For platinum, a multitude of preconcentration approaches have been published. On the contrary, the preconcentration approaches for palladium are still rare. In this work, the development, optimization, and testing of a new approach is described; it is based on a preconcentration of palladium on octadecyl modified silica gel together with the complexing agent dimethylglyoxime, and it is then analyzed with the high-resolution continuum-source atomic absorption spectrometry. For comparison, a newly developed sorbent, QuadraSil™ TA, with a high affinity for platinum group metals was also tested. The preconcentraiton approach was tested on the lichen Hypogymnia physodes, which served as a bioindicator of palladium emissions. The case study site was a mid-sized city in central Europe: Brno, Czech Republic. The dry “bag” monitoring technique was used to collect the palladium near roads with a large span of traffic density. The developed analytical approach confirmed an increasing concentration of palladium with increasing exposure time and intensity of the traffic. Consequently, a simple relationship between the amount of bioaccumulated palladium and traffic density was established.

Use of an epiphytic lichen and a novel geostatistical approach to evaluate spatial and temporal changes in atmospheric deposition in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta, Canada

Temporal and spatial atmospheric deposition trends of elements to the boreal forest surrounding bitumen production operations in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR), Alberta, Canada were investigated as part of a long-term lichen bioindicator study. The study focused on eight elements (sulfur, nitrogen, aluminum, calcium, iron, nickel, strontium, vanadium) that were previously identified as tracers for the major oil sand production sources. Samples of the in situ epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes were collected in 2002, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2017 within a ~150 km radius from the center of surface oil sand production operations in the AOSR. Site-specific time series analysis conducted at eight jack pine upland sites that were repeatedly sampled generally showed significant trends of increasing lichen concentrations for fugitive dust linked elements, particularly at near-field (<25 km from a major oil sands production operation) sample locations. Multiple regional scale geostatistical models were developed and evaluated to characterize broad-scale changes in atmospheric deposition based on changes in H. physodes elemental concentrations between 2008 and 2014. Empirical Bayesian kriging and cokriging lichen element concentrations with oil sands mining, bitumen upgrading, coke materials handling, and limestone quarry/crushing influence variables produced spatial interpolation estimates with the lowest validation errors. Gridded zonal mean lichen element concentrations were calculated for the two comprehensive sampling years (2008, 2014) and evaluated for spatial and temporal change. Lichen sulfur concentrations significantly increased in every grid cell within the domain with the largest increases (44-88%) in the central valley in close proximity to the major surface oil sand production operations, while a minor nitrogen concentration decrease (-20%) in a single grid cell was observed. The areal extent of fugitive dust element deposition generally increased with significantly higher deposition to lichens restricted to the outer grids of the enhanced deposition field, reflecting new and expanding surface mining activity.

Biomonitoring of Air Pollution in Bosnia and Herzegovina Using Epiphytic Lichen Hypogymnia physodes.

The aim of the study was to assess heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) air pollution in Bosnia and Herzegovina by using a lichen, Hypogymnia physodes. Metal content was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and was between very high naturality or alteration to middle naturality or alteration. Strong correlations between Cr and Ni confirmed mainly anthropogenic sources. The scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) analysis of C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, V, Co, As, Sn, Sb, Hg and Bi were performed on the lichen surface and hyphae of the transplanted samples. Despite significant damage to tissue and cell integrity, the recurrent presence of particulate matter in lichen indicates the considerable presence of dust in the urban atmosphere which, according to chemical composition, may be due to anthropogenic and natural sources such as soil.

Находка лишайников в гнезде зяблика европейского (Fringilla coelebs)

Chaffinch used epiphytic foliose lichen Hypogymnia physodes for construction of nest. The living fragments of thallus were tenuously attached by their lower black surface to the outward side of the birds nest. Abundance of this species on the trees around the bird’s nest of chaffinch showed that lichen was used for camouflage of birds’ nest. In addition single thallus fragments of foliose lichen Parmelia sulcata were used with this purpose too.

Carbon-based secondary compounds in the lichen Hypogymnia physodes deter detrivorous woodlice

Abstract Woodlice are not widely recognized as lichen-feeding invertebrates. We sought to discover whether the woodlouse, Porcellio scaber, could feed on the lichen Hypogymnia physodes and if the lichen carbon-based secondary compounds CBSCs would reduce grazing. We cut lichen thalli in two pieces, one was non-destructively rinsed in acetone to remove CBSCs; the other served as a control. Both pieces were fed to woodlice in a choice experiment. The CBSC concentration of individual thalli ranged from 3 to 19%. The woodlice grazed all pieces, but preferred the acetone-rinsed pieces, depending on the amount of CBSCs present in the non-extracted counterpart. The woodlice were not deterred from feeding on samples with CBSC concentrations ≤5%, which corresponded to natural contents in shade-adapted thalli. This suggested that P. scaber tolerates this amount of compounds at least in the short-term. In conclusion, P. scaber can feed on H. physodes, but CBSCs deter them from feeding.

Trace Element Concentrations in Tree Leaves and Lichen Collected Along a Metal Pollution Gradient Near Olkusz (Southern Poland)

The aim of the study was to assess the metal pollution in the vicinity of the Bukowno smelter near Olkusz in southern Poland. Birch and oak leaves, pine needles and a lichen Hypogymnia physodes, overgrowing pine bark were collected at stands at different distances from the smelter and analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) content. Concentrations of metals in the lichen were usually higher than in the tree leaves/needles and decreased with distance from the smelter, apart from the Cu content. The strongest correlation was noticed between Cd and Pb concentrations, which indicates a common pollution source (the smelter). Our results show that birch leaves can be potentially useful as a bioindicator of Zn air pollution since this species was shown to accumulate high amounts of zinc, related to environmental pollution with that metal, in their leaves.

Air Pollution Monitoring in the south-east baltic using the epiphytic lichen hypogymnia physodes

Abstract: Epiphytic lichens are well-known indicators of air contamination. The chemical composition of lichens is affected by the concentration of pollutants in the environment. Usually, researchers assess long-term variations in trace elements or other pollutants in the study area, or identify spatial features of air contamination. The aim of this study is to create a database of trace element concentrations in the samples of the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes growing in the Kaliningrad region. The database can be used as a “reference point” for monitoring studies. Another objective is to identify the spatial patterns of iron, manganese, nickel, cadmium, silver, lead, strontium, rubidium, and calcium in the Kaliningrad region. With the help of a regular grid, samples of wild lichens were collected from pine and birch trees, 1.2–1.8 m from their bases, in August 2010. One- to two-year-old thalli were used in the chemical analysis. The metals Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Fe, Mn, and Zn were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry AAS (Mn and Fe by flame atomic absorption FA AAS and the others by electro thermal atomisation ETA AAS); the elements Sr, Rb, and Ca were determined by X-ray fluorescence. The concentration of metals in the western coastal area (the Sambian or Kaliningrad Peninsula) is higher than it is in the central and eastern parts of the region. Principal component factor analysis was carried out to detect and characterise different pollution sources. The authors examined the features of spatial distribution of trace elements. The prevailing wind direction is between south and west; therefore, the highest concentrations of trace elements were found on the Sambian peninsula and on the coasts of the Vistula and Curonian Lagoons. The chemical composition of lichens on the Sambian peninsula may have developed under the impact of both local pollution sources—vehicles, thermal energy facilities, and ports—and such factors as trans-boundary traffic and sea spray.

Characterization of Mercury Contamination Surrounding a Chloralkali Production Facility in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

ABSTRACTTuzla is among the most polluted cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main source of pollution in the area is soil heavily contaminated by mercury released from a former chloralkali plant. This paper is focused on the characterization of mercury contaminated soil and air surrounding the chloralkali plant. In soil, the mobility and transformation of mercury were investigated by sequential extraction, while the methylation and reduction potentials were determined by the use of a radioactive tracer. Mercury emission from soil was determined by laboratory and by flux chamber measurements in the field. In addition, mercury concentrations in air were estimated by the analysis of air and the transplanted lichen Hypogymnia physodes. Mercury in soils in the vicinity of the chloralkali plant exceeded the background value by a factor of more than 3000. The fractionation of mercury in surface soil by sequential extraction showed that the mercury in soil was primarily bound to organic matter and a fraction containing elemental mercury and mercury (I) chloride is also significant. The obtained methylation and reduction potentials are low. The mercury flux from soil was estimated by two approaches. Fluxes of up to 8000 ng/m2/day were measured at the most polluted site; evaporation from soil was shown to be the primary source of elevated mercury in air. Air concentration mapping also revealed other sources of mercury; the most likely is the 715 MW coal power plant in the vicinity of former chloralkali facility.

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dibenzothiophene, and alkylated homologs in the lichen Hypogymnia physodes by gas chromatography using single quadrupole mass spectrometry and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Development of the Athabasca Oil Sands Region in northeastern Alberta, Canada has contributed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), which include alkyl PAHs and dibenzothiophenes, to the regional environment. A new analytical method was developed for quantification of PAHs and PACs in the epiphytic lichen bioindicator species Hypogymnia physodes for use in the development of receptor models for attribution of PAH and PAC concentrations to anthropogenic and natural emission sources. Milled lichens were extracted with cyclohexane, and extracts were cleaned on silica gel using automated solid phase extraction techniques. Quantitative analysis was performed by gas chromatography with selected ion monitoring (GC-SIM-MS) for PAHs, and by GC with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) for PACs. PACs were quantitated in groups using representative reference compounds as calibration standards. Analytical detection limits were ≤2.5ngg−1 for all individual compounds. Precision as measured by laboratory duplicates was variable; for individual analytes above 5ngg−1 the mean absolute difference between duplicates was typically <20%. Selection of single-analyte markers for source attribution should include consideration of data quality indicators. Use of TOF-MS to spectrally characterize PAC group constituents identified significant challenges for the accurate quantitation of PACs with more than two carbons in their side chain(s). Total PAH concentrations in lichen samples ranged from 12 to 482ngg−1. Total PACs in each sample varied from a fraction of total PAHs to more than four times total PAHs. Results of our analyses of H. physodes are compared with other studies using other species of lichens as PAH receptors and with passive monitoring data using polyurethane foam (PUF) samplers in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR). This study presents the first analytical methodology developed for the determination of PACs in an epiphytic lichen bioindicator species.

Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulphur concentration and δ13C, δ15N values in Hypogymnia physodes within the montane area – preliminary data

Abstract The contribution of C, N and S, as well as the isotopic composition of C and N of atmospheric pollutants, are assumed to be reflected in the organic compounds inbuilt into the lichen thallus. The chemical and isotopic analyses were carried out on lichen Hypogymnia physodes samples gathered from Picea abies and Larix decidua, collected in 13 sampling points located in Karkonoski National Park and its closest vicinity in 2011. The results for %C, %N and %S varied from 43.44 to 46.79%, from 0.86 to 1.85% and from 0.07 to 0.27 %, respectively. The δ13C values ranged from −26.6 to −24.6‰, whereas δ15N values varied from −13.0 to −6.8‰. The ranges in isotope composition suggest different sources of C and N for Karpacz compared to the remaining sampling sites. For Karpacz, the δ13C values suggest (in case the fractionation product-substrate does not exist and Δ=0) that the dominant sources are coal combustion processes, whereas for remaining sampling points, the δ13C values are ambiguous and are masked by many mixed natural and anthropogenic processes. With the same assumption that Δ=0, the δ15N values suggest that transport is not a dominant source of nitrogen within Karpacz city. Moreover, in this study we tested the possible fractionation (Δ) for carbon and nitrogen, assuming that within the investigated area, the source of carbon is probably CO2 and/or DIC (HCO3 −) dissolved in precipitation, while the source of nitrogen is NOx and/or NO3 − ion. The calculated fractionation factors were: (i) for gaseous carbon compounds ΔCO2-Corg value from −13.4 to −11.4‰, whereas for the ions form ΔHCO3 −-Corg value from −16.6 to −14.6‰, (ii) for nitrogen gaseous compounds ΔNOx-Norg value between apx. −17 and −5‰, whereas for the ions form ΔNO3 −-Norg value between −9.9 and −3.7‰.