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Reductions in the polyhydric alcohol content of lichens as an indicator of environmental pollution

Levels of polyhydric alcohols and oligosaccharides in the lichens Umbilicaria decussata and Usnea sphacelata were measured in samples obtained from unpolluted and polluted sites on Bailey Peninsula, Windmill Islands, Budd Coast. Undisturbed lichen possessed levels of these compounds (33 and 20 mg g-1 dry weight respectively) typical of those found in lichens from temperate climates. Plants from sites severely polluted by alkaline cement dust, derived from concrete mixing activities, possessed significantly lower levels (P < 0.01) of these intracellular constituents. Levels of chlorophyll a in Umbilicaria decussata were significantly correlated with total polyols + sugars (r2 = 0.88). We suggest that environmental impacts on Antarctic vegetation may be measured by parallel determinations of these two parameters on sensitive lichen species such as Umbilicaria decussata.