Cd accumulation in Parmelia spp. species

Lichens are a group of organisms with a large geographical spread. They live permanently with their surrounding environment. They show a great sensitivity to the composition and concentrations of the substances found in the environment.The concentration of metals in the environment can dramatically affect the lichens' health. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of bioaccumulation of Cd in the tissue of the Parmelia spp. species of lichens from synthetic aqueous environments with different concentrations of Cd between 20-50 mg·L-1 .The study was conducted in the laboratory on samples of lichen the acacia support. The lichens originatefrom a Natural Reservation in the South-West of Romania. The bio-accumulation of Cd was tracked over a period of 16 weeks of exposing the lichens to pollution with synthetic solutionsat pH =3.5, simulating acid rain. The lichens have bio-accumulated amounts of Cd between 4,0-4.9mg·kg-1D.M. The studies on the lichens metal bioavailability could further enhance their utility as environmental bio-prospections and for air quality biomonitoring tools