Interspecies comparison of lichens as biomonitors of trace-element air pollution

The linearity of the interspecies relation between the elemental contents in Parmelia sulcata and Lecanora conizaeoides, sampled in a polluted area, was examined by the function y=az+b and yz (-1)=a+bz (-1), with y and z being the elemental content in Parmelia and Lecanora, respectively. For As, Co, V and Zn significant positive a and b values were found, allowing interspecies calibration. For Br, Cd, Cr, Fe, La, Sb, Se and W the a values were zero and the b values were positive, indicating saturation of Parmelia and thus ruling out interspecies calibration. For Cu a part of the data set showed saturation effects in Lecanora. The results showed that the average concentration ratio could not be used for intercalibration purposes, because the concentration ratios were dependent on the concentrations.