Determination of Trace Elements in Malaysian Lichens as Potential Indicators for Pollution by Using Inductive Couple Plasma Emission Spectro- photometry

Abstract. A study was carried out to determine the concentration of trace elements As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in samples of lichens collected from the area in vicinity of Gunung Jerai, Kedah to evaluate the potential of lichens as a pollution indicator. Six species of lichens collected in this study were Cladia aggregate, Cladonia sp., Heterodarmia flabellata, Parmotrema tinctorum, Parmotrema sp. and Usnea flexilis. The samples were analysed by using the inductively couple plasma -optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) Perkin Elmer Optima 4300 DV. Prior to ICP-OES analyses, the samples were cleaned, dried, pulverized and digested in dilute nitric acid solution. The ranges of concentrations (µg/g) in samples of lichens in this study are As (0.16 -0.56), Cd (< 0.005), Cr (0.01-1.75), Cu (1.07-6.93)