ACCUMULATION OF ALUMINUM IN HYPOGYMNIA PHYSODES IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF A FINNISH SULFITE-CELLULOSE FACTORY

Atomic absorption analyses were performed on an epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes growing at different distances from a sulphite-cellulose and paper plant in Mantta, southern Finland. Lichen samples were taken from the bark of pine, birch and spruce. The mean Al-content of the lichen was 3-fold and 7.5-fold higher than those in other studies in southern and northern Finland. The accumulation of Al mainly orginated from the dust emission of the pulp and paper mill and its power plant which were the biggest single source of dust pollutants in Finland. Road dust and other local sources also increase Al-content of the lichens. Fe-concentrations of H- physodes correlated with those of Al. Hg- and Cu-levels were also slightly elevated. Zn was at about the same and Cd at an even lower level than afore mentioned background values. With Zn, the contents were higher in lichens growing on birch than on coniferous trees.