Role for lichen melanins in uranium remediation

Lichens are successful colonizers in extreme terrestrial habitats world-wide, including metalliferous environments1. Their ability to accumulate metals has led to their use in monitoring radionuclide fall-out from Chernobyl and uranium uptake from dust resulting from mining2. Here we report for the first time a lichen growing directly on uranium minerals and uranium being concentrated within its tissues. Our study suggests that melanin-like pigments, substances previously unreported within lichens, are involved.