Ability of metal trace elements accumulation by Lichens, Xanthoria parietina and Ramalina farinacea, in Megres area (Setif, Algeria)

Abstract

The accumulating ability of the atmospheric Metal Trace Elements (MTE) of two lichenic species thalli; Xanthoria parietina and Ramalina farinacea were evaluated in the region of Megres. The recorded concentrations of MTE (Fe, Cu, Mn, Cd, and Pb) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AASF). The ability to accumulate MTE in X. parietina thalli is considerably greater than that of the fruticulous lichen R. farinacea in all stations studied. The general pattern of the elements accumulated in the thalli of the two species in decreasing order of their concentrations was Fe> Mn> Pb> Cu> Cd. The Fe values are very high in X. parietina thalli with an average of 35237.5 ± 3394.2 mg/kg dry wt. In contrast, the Pb concentrations are high, especially in the southern station of the Megres region. The results showed that X. parietina is a hyper-accumulating species of MTE, compared to R. farinacea. This work highlights the ecological importance of this species as a stable and resistant pioneer in this fragile region.

Heavy metals accumulation in Nerium oleander leaves across urban areas in Setif region, Algeria

“…The high levels of these elements have been positively correlated with the traffic because vehicle exhaust emissions have a significant role in environmental contamination (De Silva et al 2016;Kirpik et al 2017;Yang et al 2020). Studies on the accumulation of MTE by the plants located in the proximity roads showed a close relationship between levels of heavy metals and the volume of traffic (De Silva et al 2016;Yang et al 2020;Belguidoum et al 2021). In Turkey, Nerium oleander has been used as a biomonitor tool for heavy metal accumulation in intense human activity and heavy road traffic (Banu-Doganlar et al 2012).…”