The value of the terricolous lichen Cetrariella delisei in the biomonitoring of heavy−metal levels in Svalbard

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this study was to identify a suitable lichen species for the long−term monitoring of heavy−metal atmospheric pollution in Svalbard. Cladonia and Cetraria s.l. species that have been widely used until now for assessing heavy−metal deposition in the Arctic are in decline over extensive areas of Svalbard, mainly due to climate change and over−grazing by reindeer. Cetrariella delisei, rarely used for biomonitoring, is still common and widespread in this area. Levels of Cr, Ni, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Mn were measured in three lichen species: Cetrariella delisei, Cladonia uncialis, Flavocetraria nivalis and in a moss Racomitrium lanuginosum from Sørkapp Land, South Spitsbergen. The results imply that Cetrariella delisei can be safely compared to Cladonia uncialis for identifying the lev− els of heavy metals, but direct comparison between Cetrariella delisei and other species studied is more difficult owing to differences in levels of heavy metals even in samples from the same site.

Short-term monitoring of Arctic trace metal contamination based on Cetrariella delisei bioindicator in Svalbard

“…In Hornsundneset in Sørkapp Land area, the first study on the evaluation of the level of contamination of trace metals in the lichen and bryophytes was carried out in 2013 [13]. In comparison to the obtained results, Ni, Cr, and Cu had similar values, while Mn and Zn had about five times higher values.…”

“…The lichens accumulate trace metals directly from air and indirectly from substrate [11]. Given their ability to absorb pollutants from the air [12,13], lichens are widely used as bioindicators of trace metal pollution all over the world [1,8].…”

“…As these genera have been the major components of the high Arctic tundra vegetation, they were frequently used as trace metal bioindicators [2,8,[17][18][19][20]. The studies involving lichens as biological indicators of trace metal contamination have mainly been conducted in the regions of Bellsund [21][22][23] and Hornsund [7,13,24,25]. The data of these reports have been used for comparative studies that are necessary to achieve the objectives of an AMAP (The Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program) initiative [1].…”

“…At present, the lack of the availability of the lichen material for comparative research poses a problem. Species of macrolichens that form large surface thalli, such as Flavocetraria cucullata (Bellardi) Kärnefelt & A. Thell, F. nivalis (L.) Kärnefelt & A. Thell, Cladonia mitis Sandst., and Thamnolia vermicularis (Sw.) Schaer., collected in the 1980s and 1990s on the coastal terrains of NW Wedel Jarlsberg Land and NW Sørkapp Land, now failed to occur in these regions owing to the heavy grazing activity of reindeer [13,14,16]. Therefore, it is very difficult to repeat previous studies conducted on these species and compare the results with the original data.…”

The Use Of Mosses In Biomonitoring Of Selected Areas In Poland And Spitsbergen In The Years From 1975 To 2014

“…Samples of lichens and mosses were collected in the southern parts of Svalbard in July and August 2008, in order to determine heavy metals accumulation. The research results (mean values) of the metals determined in the moss Racomitrium lanuginosum are presented in Table 12 [40]. Heavy metals in Sanionia uncinata, from 29 sites in the southern part of Svalbard, was studied in 2008 [41].…”