engleski

The effect of the oil refinery pollution on heavy metal content and secondary metabolites in lichens Flavoparmelia caperata and Parmelia sulcata

Lichens, due to their ability to take nutrients and water directly from the air, are commonly used as bioindicators and biomonitors of air pollution. Airborne heavy metal pollutants cause various physiological changes in lichens, although the sensitivity to pollution is species specific. The city of Slavonski Brod has the most polluted air in Croatia due to the oil refinery situated directly across the border with Bosnia and Hercegovina. Reports from monitoring stations in the city show high content of pollutants including fine particles (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide. In this study, two native lichens, Flavoparmelia caperata and Parmelia sulcata were collected at 20 sites around Slavonski Brod in 20 km radius from the oil refinery. The effects of the refinery pollution on lichen secondary metabolites and the possible correlation with content of metals (cadmium, nickel, lead and zinc) in lichen thalli were evaluated. Investigated species were not recorded at two sampling sites closest to the refinery, confirming the strong pollution effects. Lead and zinc contents were increased in lichen thalli collected at sites within the city and across the refinery indicating the cumulative effect of urban and industrial pollution. No differences in content of secondary metabolites atranorin, chloroatranorin, usnic acid and protocetraric acid were observed between different sites. However, salazinic acid content was slightly increased in lichens growing on closest plots directly across the refinery suggesting its possible role in protecting lichen thalli from metal pollution.

lichens; air pollution; Slavonski Brod

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