Authors:
B. Vieira Reactor-ITN (Technological and Nuclear Institute) E.N. 10 2686-953 Sacavém Portugal

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M. Freitas Reactor-ITN (Technological and Nuclear Institute) E.N. 10 2686-953 Sacavém Portugal

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A. Rodrigues DCA-UAç (University of Azores) Terra-Chã 9701-851 Angra do Heroísmo Portugal

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A. Pacheco CVRM-IST (Technical University of Lisbon) Av. Rovisco Pais 1 1049-001 Lisboa Portugal

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P. Soares DCA-UAç (University of Azores) Terra-Chã 9701-851 Angra do Heroísmo Portugal

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Abstract  

Within an extensive survey of prevalent lower and higher plants in the Azores’ islands, with a view to their monitoring potential for airborne elements at ground level, and then to an eventual use in evaluation routines for the archipelago, epiphytic lichens were collected from Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar) trunks all across Terceira and Santa Maria islands. After suitable procedures, thalli samples were put through instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA; k0-variant) for elemental concentrations. Providing an overall view of micro-and trace-element levels in representative foliose-and fruticose-type species, the data of high-level elements agree generally well for genera with distinct species, with a relatively low interspecies variability. Principal-component analysis of the whole set of results discriminates clearly between two morphological factors, corresponding to foliose and fruticose species, and likely among four major origins of elemental inputs: soil/dust (two factors), sea spray and an antimony-related source. All things considered, and accounting for its availability and ubiquity, Parmotrema bangii seems an adequate choice for further lichen-based, biomonitoring campaigns in the Azores archipelago.

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Journal of Radionalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Language English
Size A4
Year of
Foundation
1968
Volumes
per Year
1
Issues
per Year
12
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address
H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's
Address
H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible
Publisher
Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 0236-5731 (Print)
ISSN 1588-2780 (Online)