Determination of heavy metals in lichens growing on different ecological habitats in Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica

Twelve lichen species growing on different ecological habitats in East Antarctica were analyzed for Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn. All the species had consistently higher amounts of Fe and Cu as their substrata were iron and copper mineralized rocks. The foliose and fruticose lichens had a greater concentration of heavy metals than the crustose ones. Significantly, lead was not detected in any sample indicating that the area is still free from pollution.