Response of Evernia prunastri transplanted to an urban area in central Lithuania

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in physiological parameters and the Cd, Cu, Pb uptake of the lichens over time transplanted to an urban environment. Thalli of the epiphytic lichen Evernia prunastri were transplanted from an unpolluted to an urban environment (Kaunas, Lithuania). Chlorophyll a and b, malondialdehyde (MDA) and the damage to cell membranes in the lichen thalli were determined after 1 month exposure period. The concentrations of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu) in the biomonitors were used as an indicator of the level of air pollution in the studied area. The accumulated heavy metals in the exposed samples were assessed and the exposed– to–control ratio was calculated in each case. All the studied heavy metals accumulated in the lichens that were transplanted in the traffic sites. The concentration of chlorophyll a was higher in the samples exposed in the urban parks and residential sites. The presence of urban pollutants caused the loss of integrity of cell membranes.