Wednesday, 8 October 2008

George R. Brown Convention Center, Exhibit Hall E

Lim Hyoun Soo¹, Seo Dong Cheol², Kim Ji Hee¹, Lee Jae Il¹, Han Myung Ja³, Seong A Jeong³, Heo Jong Soo⁴ and Cho Ju Sik³, (1)Korea Polar Research Institute, KORDI, Incheon 406-840, Korea, Incheon, 406-840, South Korea
(2)Wetland Biogeochemistry Institute, Louisiana State University, 275 west roosevelt st., Louisiana, LA 70802
(3)Department of Bio-Environmental Sciences, Sunchon National University, 315 Maegokdong, Sunchon, South Korea
(4)Division of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, 900 Gajwadong, Jinju, 660-701, South Korea

The accumulation pattern of Na, Mg, K and Ca in the epilithic lichen, Usnea aurantiacoatra is reported in the vicinity of the Korea research station located in the Barton Peninsula, King George Island. The elemental concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). During the 2006/2007 Korea Antarctic Research Program (KARP) expedition, lichen samples were collected from 25 sites. At each site, collected samples were classified into three age groups based on the size and weight of lichen: young (ca. 0.1 g), middle (ca. 0.7 g) and old (ca. 5 g) groups. Our results show that the concentrations of Na and K increase dramatically with size, reflecting the age of lichen, while no differences were found in those of Mg and Ca among three age groups. It suggests that the amount of Na and K in lichen, Usnea aurantiacoatra is significantly influenced by exposure time, which is age related. Lichen samples of the old group were also divided into three segments: upper, middle and basal segments. The vertical distributions of macronutrients in lichen were clearly observed. The amount of Na, Mg and Ca was concentrated in top segments. In contrast, K was greater in basal segments. Therefore, the upper segment of Usnea aurantiacoatra appears to be strongly influenced by atmospheric wetfall because of its large surface area exposed to air.

See more of: Contaminants in Soil (includes Graduate Student Competition) (Posters)
See more of: S11 Soils & Environmental Quality

2008 Joint Annual Meeting (5-9 Oct. 2008): The Concentration of Na, Mg, K and Ca In Epilithic Lichen, Usnea Aurantiacoatra of King George Island, South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica.

778-25 The Concentration of Na, Mg, K and Ca In Epilithic Lichen, Usnea Aurantiacoatra of King George Island, South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica.