Biogeochemical features of epiphytyc lichens from the area of the tailing of a gold-polymetallic deposit (Kemerovo region, Russia) comparative to a reference area

The work represents the data of the research of the chemical composition of epiphytic lichens Evernia mesomorpha (L.), growing around the tailings of a former gold-polymetallic deposit (Kemerovo region. Western Siberia, Russia). The lichen samples were collected from trees according to a radial net (20 samples in total). The concentrations of chemical elements in the dry lichen matter were determined by the mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. The results obtained were compared with the concentrations of chemical elements in lichens of the same specie collected in a nature reserve of Crimea peninsula. This reserve is considered as a reference area which is practically not subjected to anthropogenic impact. The ratios of the concentrations of chemical elements in the lichens from the tailings area to the reference concentrations of the Crimea peninsula were considered as concentration coefficients (Cc). As a result, we found high concentrations of Mn(4), As(4.5), Ag(15.5), Sb(40), Ba(87), Eu(2,5), Hg(19), Pb(7), Bi(5), and U(2), which indicate the geochemical specialization of the tailings area. The concentrations of Au (0.014 mg/kg) and Se (3.5 mg/kg) were only found in the samples from the tailings area and were lower the detection limit in the reference area samples. For most chemical elements we found close concentrations within the confidential interval: K, Li, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Cu, Ge, Sr, Ir, Cr, Nb, Mo, Cd, Sn, Cs, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Ib, Lu, Hf, Ta, W. These data may testify on the global accumulation factor in the atmosphere, for example, general dust transport of mineral matter of soils and rocks of nanoparticle size. The concentrations of B, Ca, and Ni were found in lower concentrations in the lichens of the tailings area (Cс ranges from 0,2 to 0.5). The research confirms good biomonitoring properties of epiphytic lichens and allows judging about the geochemical specialization of the tailings of the gold-polymetallic deposit.