Abstract:
Lichen and mosses are extensively used as very effective and sensitive biomonitoring media. Since these species are the most widespread vegetation in Antarctica, they are ideally suited for sensitive environmental monitoring. A collection of lichens and mosses from Livingston Island (14 locations), King George Island (4 locations) and from beaches of the Beagle Channel (3 locations) were investigated by mineral magnetic methods. The aim of the study was to test the environmental quality at the Antarctic islands where human activities occur at the scientific research stations. Magnetic measurements involved magnetic susceptibility, isothermal remanent magnetization, step-wise acquisition of isothermal remanence for identification of magnetic minerals. Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that light lichens generally show lower magnetic enhancement, while dark lichens and mosses have higher susceptibility values. Based on the obtained linear relationship between magnetic susceptibility of vegetation species and respective soil/sediment at each location, it was concluded that magnetic enhancement of lichens and mosses is mainly due to substrate take-up and not to anthropogenic air pollution.