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Mercury in lichens of Nahuel Huapi National Park, Patagonia, Argentina

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Abstract

Mercury and other elements of interest are determined inlichens collected in Nahuel Huapi National Park, Northern Patagonia, Argentina. Pooled samples are analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Mercury contents in Usnea sp. collected from undisturbed sites range from 0.0558±0.0083 to 1.38±0.18 µg·g−1. Other potential pollutants are identified by the analysis of Usnea sp. samples, namely Sb, As, Br, Zn, and Se. Previous experiments with foliose and fruticose lichens are also discussed. The analysis of mercury contents of foliose lichens sampled from urban and periurban sites of Bariloche city, and from undisturbed regions, demonstrate that the atmosphere of Bariloche city is enriched in mercury compared to the surroundings. The result is confirmed by transplantation experiments from undisturbed zones to urban sites.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Análisis por Activación Neutrónica, Centro Atómico, Bariloche, Argentina

    S. Ribeiro Guevara & D. Bubach

  2. Instituto Balseiro, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina

    M. Arribére

Authors
  1. S. Ribeiro Guevara
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  2. D. Bubach
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  3. M. Arribére
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Ribeiro Guevara, S., Bubach, D. & Arribére, M. Mercury in lichens of Nahuel Huapi National Park, Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 261, 679–687 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JRNC.0000037113.24485.47

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JRNC.0000037113.24485.47

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