Abstract
The relationship between F contents and damage to previously unpolluted saxicolous lichens (Ramalina sp) was examined in the vicinity of an Al works on the island of Anglesey, North Wales. Damage was greatest <2 km from the works, where 41% of Ramalina thalli showed >50% chlorosis and necrosis. Loss of lichens (measured by changes in percent cover in 58 permanent quadrats) decreased with increasing distance from the works. Lichens well-exposed to emissions had the largest F content and 20 to 30% more losses than those less-exposed. Well-exposed lichens had rates of loss of cover of 4.9% km−1 yr−1, whereas more sheltered thalli had losses of 3.7% km−1 yr−1. In contrast, relatively uncontaminated lichens increased in % cover. Content of F reflected both distance from the works and exposure to emissions; losses, and F content, were closely related (r2=0.90). Lichens containing 300, 100 and 50 μg F g−1 dry weight lost 46, 15 and 10% of cover yr−1, respectively.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Allen, S. E., Grimshaw, H. M., Parkinson, J. A., and Quarmby, C.: 1974, Chemical Analysis of Ecological Materials, Oxford, Blackwell.
Asta, J. and Garrec, J. P.: 1980, Environ. Pollut. Ser. A. 21, 267.
Barbour, A. K., Castle, J. F., and Woods, S. E.: 1978, in A. Parker (ed.), Industrial Air Pollution Handbook, London, McGraw-Hill, p. 419.
Barkman, J. J.: 1969, in Air Pollution. Proceedings of the Wageningen Congress 1968, Wageningen, Centre for Agricultural Publishing and Documentation, p. 197.
Comeau, G. and LeBlanc, F.: 1972, Can. J. Bot. 50, 847.
Davies, F. B. M.: 1982, Environ. Pollut. Ser. A. 29, 189.
Davies, F. B. M. and Notcutt, G.: 1988, Water, Air, and Soil Pollut. 42, 365.
Gilbert, O. L.: 1971, Lichenologist 5, 26.
Gilbert, O. L.: 1973, in Ahmadjian, V. and Hale, H. E. (eds.), The Lichens. London, Academic.
Gilbert, O. L.: 1986, Environ. Pollut. Ser. A. 40, 227.
Greenly, E.: 1919, The Geology of Anglesey, London, HMSO.
Hällgren, J-E. and Nyman, B.: 1977, Studia Forestalia Suecica 137, 1.
Hawksworth, D. L.: 1971, Int. J. environ. Stud. 1, 281.
Hawksworth, D. L. and Rose, F.: 1970, Nature 227, 145.
LeBlanc, F., Comeau, G., and Rao, D. N.: 1971, Can. J. Bot. 49, 1691.
LeBlanc, F., Rao, D. N., and Comeau, G.: 1972, Can. J. Bot. 50, 991.
Martin, J. E. and Jacquard, F.: 1968, Pollution Atmospherique 10, 95.
Nash, III T. H.: 1971, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 98, 103.
O'Hare, G.: 1974, J. Biogeog. 1, 135.
Olkkonen, H. and Takala, K.: 1975, Ann. Bot. Fennici. 12, 131.
Perkins, D. F. and Millar, R. O.: 1987a, Environ. Pollut. 47, 63.
Perkins, D. F. and Millar, R. O.: 1987b, Environ. Pollut. 48, 185.
Perkins, D. F., Millar, R. O., and Neep, P. E.: 1980, Environ. Pollut. Ser. A. 21, 155.
Roberts, B. A. and Thompson, L. K.: 1980, Can. J. Bot. 58, 2218.
Swieboda, M. and Kalemba, A.: 1978, Acta Soc. Bot. Pol. 47, 25.
Takala, K., Kauranen, P., and Olkkonen, H.: 1978, Ann. Bot. Fennici 15, 158.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Perkins, D.F. Relationship between fluoride contents and loss of lichens near an aluminium works. Water Air Soil Pollut 64, 503–510 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00483360
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00483360