1. Influence of dust from a limestone quarry on chlorophyll degradation of the lichen Physcia adscendens (Fr.) Oliv
- Author
-
Thomas Lanaras, Margarita Arianoutsou, and A. Zaharopoulou
- Subjects
Chlorophyll ,Physcia ,Lichens ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,engineering.material ,Toxicology ,Mining ,Calcium Carbonate ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Botany ,Lichen ,Lime ,Pollutant ,Air Pollutants ,biology ,Greece ,Xanthoria ,Dust ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,Pollution ,chemistry ,visual_art ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,engineering ,Environmental science ,Bark ,Epiphyte - Abstract
Dust is among the substances usually referred to as pollutants affecting lichen growth and occurence. Dust splashed or blown on to roadside trees and shrubs usually leads to a reduction of bark acidity, thus encouraging lichen assemblages characteristic of plants with alkaline bark (i.e., Xanthorion) (Hawksworth and Rose 1976). Dust from limestone quarries and cement and lime works is also alkaline and has the same neutralizing effect on bark, promoting the development of lichen species normally confined to limestone rocks (e.g., Physcia spp., Xanthoria spp.). A number of methods are used to estimate the effect of airborne pollutants on lichens. Changes in the rate of photosynthesis, chlorophyll content and chlorophyll degradation are normally more informative than parameters such as species composition and cover (De Wit 1983).
- Published
- 1993