Absorption Analysis of Cadmium, Zinc and Chromium in Lichen Samples
Authors:
- Students:
- Jack Gerrity
- Marco Rodriguez
- Teachers:
- Daria Prawlocki
- Mentors:
- William Guise (Argonne National Laboratory, Advanced Photon Source, DND-CAT)
- Denis Keane (Argonne National Laboratory, Advanced Photon Source, DND-CAT)
- Qing Ma (Northwestern University, DND-CAT)
- Lorrie Ward (Sagawau Environmental Learning Center)
Advanced Photon Source Sector 5: DND-CAT
Lichens obtain nutrients from the atmosphere and can absorb heavy metals, holding high potential as bioindicators for metals. Examining heavy metals in lichen can help us better understand their ability to serve as pollution indicators.
By utilizing X-ray fluorescence, the elemental composition of metals in the lichen samples can be examined through spectroscopy. Lichen samples collected in Lemont, IL at Sagawau Nature Preserve were exposed for a two week period to a solution of 0.1M cadmium chloride, zinc nitrate or potassium chromate, specifically lichen species: Lepraria finkii, Candelaria concolor, and Flavoparmelia caperata.
The resulting chemical state of the metals will be studied using XANES, EXAFS, or both. Results for each species of lichen will be compared to further understand the absorption ability of each species.