Physiological responses of lichens to factorial fumigations with nitric acid and ozone

J. Riddell; Pamela E. Padgett; T. Nash

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2012.06.014

Treesearch

Physiological responses of lichens to factorial fumigations with nitric acid and ozone

Formally Refereed

Authors:

J. Riddell, Pamela E. Padgett, T. Nash

Year:

2012

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2012.06.014

Source:

Environmental Pollution 170:201-210

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Abstract

This paper addresses the effects of gaseous nitric acid (HNO₃) and ozone (O₃), two important air pollutants, on six lichen species with different morphological, ecological, and biological characteristics. The treatment chambers were set up in a factorial design consisting of control chambers, chambers fumigated with HNO₃, with O₃, and with HNO₃ and O₃, together. Each species showed a different sensitivity to the fumigations, reflecting the physiological variation among species. Our results clearly indicate that HNO₃ is a strong phytotoxin to many lichens, and that O₃ alone has little effect on the measured parameters. The combined fumigation effects of HNO₃ and O₃ were not significantly different from HNO₃ alone.

Keywords

Lichens, Air pollution, HNO3, O3, Biomonitoring

Citation

Riddell, J.; Padgett, P.E.; Nash III, T. 2012. Physiological responses of lichens to factorial fumigations with nitric acid and ozone. Environmental Pollution. 170:201-210.