MORE LICHEN - MINERAL ABSORBTION Heavy Metal Behavior in Lichen-Mine Waste
Interactions at an Abandoned Mine Site in Southwest Japan 2015 -
Yuri Sueoka 1,*, Masayuki Sakakibara 1 and Koichiro Sera 2
Abstract: The lichen,
Stereocaulon exutum Nylander, occurring in a contaminated abandoned mine site was investigated to clarify (1) the behavior of heavy metals and As during the slag weathering processes mediated by the lichen; and (2) the distribution of these elements in the lichen thallus on slag.
The heavy metals and As in the slag are dissolved from their original phases during the weathering process by lichen substances (organic acids) and hypha penetration, in addition to non-biological weathering.
The dissolved elements are absorbed into the lichen thallus. Some of these dissolved elements are distributed in the cells of the hyphae. The others are distributed on the surface of the hyphae as formless particles and show lateral distribution inside the cortex of the thallus. The
Cu and Zn concentrations in the thalli are
positively correlated with the concentrations in the corresponding substrata and a positive intercept in the regression curve obtained using a linear function.
These chemical characteristics make this lichen a good biomarker for Cu and Zn contamination of the substrata of the lichen. Therefore, the present study supposes that Stereocaulon exutum has a possible
practical application in biomonitoring or risk assessment of heavy metal pollution at abandoned mine sites.
LINK - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwisu7r71fv5AhUDkIkEHXWYAaYQFnoECBMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mdpi.com%2F2075-4701%2F5%2F3%2F1591%2Fpdf&usg=AOvVaw0jfh2LrWsQ2Ef8Xgb1-YqY
WHAT DOES - Stereocaulon exutum Nylander - LOOK LIKE ? 
photo link - https://lichenportal.org/imglib/lichens/Stereocaulaceae/201604/Stereocaulon-subcoralloides_IM_1460398816.jpg
is rover's lichen the same ?
I'm no lichen expert - lol -
looks about same... ?
Cheers....