Journal of Environmental Biology

Study on accumulation ability of two lichen species Hypogymnia

physodes and Usnea hirta at iron-steel factory site, Turkey

Author Details

Demet Cansaran-Duman

(Corresponding author)

Refik Saydam National Public Health Agency, Drug and Cosmetics Research Department

Laboratories - 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey

e-mail: dcansaran@yahoo.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

06 July 2010

Revised received:

08 February 2010

Accepted:

16 February 2011

Abstract

The use of biological responses to contaminant exposure by lichen species has become a useful tool in environmental quality evaluation and risk assesment. Lichen Hypogymnia physodes and Usnea hirta samples were collected in 2006 from 10 sites around iron-steel factory in Karab?k, Turkey. H.? physodes and U. hirta samples from Yenice forest were used as a control. The aim of present study was to evaluate the bioaccumulation ability and to determine the environmental impact of an iron-steel factory in Karab?k. Seven elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd) were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The analytical results were compared statistically by using SPSS. As expected, the study area (Yenice forest, Karab?k) chosen as control site (site no 11) showed significantly lower impact in comparison to other site (site no 1-10). Compared with the two lichen species, H. physodes showed highest metal accumulating capacity while U. hirta showed lowest. These criteria attested the best suitability for H. physodes, followed by U. hirta.

Key words

Air pollution, Biomonitoring, Heavy metals, Iron-steel factory, Lichen

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