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Published on: September 11, 2016
Trace element concentrations from lichen transplants in Pretoria, South Africa
Joshua Oluwole Olowoyo1, E van Heerden, J L Fischer
1Department of Biology, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), P.O.Box 139, Medunsa, Pretoria, South Africa, 0204. woleolowoyo@yahoo.com
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to assess the level and possible sources of trace elements in Tshwane metropolis using transplanted lichen thallus of Parmelia sulcata with a view to evaluating the ability of this lichen species to monitor air pollutants from a perceived polluted environment.
Methods:
Samples of the lichen thalli were transplanted into ten different sites and covered with a net. Samples were exposed for 3 months. Concentrations of ten trace elements were determined with the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Results:
A significant difference was observed in the values of elemental concentration in lichen from unpolluted area and those transplanted to all the sites (p < 0.01). Variations in values of trace elements recorded in lichen transplant from different sites were also statistically significant (p < 0.01). The high traffic sites showed significantly higher elemental concentrations, particularly for Pb, Zn, and Cu than the industrial and residential areas (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Trends in the trace element values from different sites suggested that the elements might have come from anthropogenic sources.
