Elemental composition of lichens at Nahuel Huapi National Park, Patagonia, Argentina

• DOI: 10.1007/bf02036560
• Publication Date: 2005-08-10T20:19:08Z
• Authors: S. Ribeiro Guevara; M. A. Arribére; S. Calvelo; G. Román Ross
• Keywords: 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Five species of epiphytic lichens were sampled from urban and periurban areas of Bariloche, a non industrial city located on the East side of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, North-Western Patagonia, Argentina, and from pristine areas of the Park. Each individual lichen was analyzed using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. The results of the analysis showed high concentrations of lithophile elements, with very good correlations among them. The relative concentration of these elements in all lichen species is in good agreement with the elemental composition of sediments collected in the Park. Elemental concentrations which are not related to detritical inputs are also presented.