Chemical response of the lichens Parmotrema austrosinense and P. conferendum transplanted to urban and non-polluted environments

Thalli of the lichens Parmotrema austrosinense (Zahlbr.) Hale and P. conferedum Hale were taken from a non-polluted area and transplanted within this area, and to a downtown site in Cordoba, Argentina. Pigments, malondialdehyde, hydroperoxy-conjugated dienes and sulphur were measured after various exposure periods. Changes in the quantified compound concentrations were observed throughout the exposure period in both species and in both sites. In the urban site, however, chlorophyll concentration was lower and, in P. conferendum, malondialdehyde concentration was significatively higher. These results can be attributed to the effect of atmospheric pollutants on the transplanted lichens