Baseline concentrations of elements in the Antarctic macrolichen Umbilicaria decussata

Overall average concentrations of trace elements except Cd were the lowest ever reported for lichens of the genus Umbilicaria. Specifically, the mean level of Pb in lichen from granitic rock (0.46 +/- 0.18 mg/g-1 dry wt) was more than four times lower than the lowest record in Arctic lichens.

No impact of local human activities was detected, but the elemental composition of U. decussata was affected by entrapment of soil of rock dust particles and probably by uptake of soluble elements from substrate. Relationship between elements and their distributions patterns in the study area indicated that the marine environment is the main source of major ions and perhaps of Cd in lichens. Accumulation of P was detected in samples from coastal sites frequented by seabirds.