Current radioactive fallout contamination along a trans-European gradient assessed using terricolous lichens

Lichens are considered to be good indicators of contamination of the terrestrial environment. In this study, we investigated the level of Cs-137 and (4) K accumulated by Cladonia arbuscula and Stereocaulon alpinum along a longitudinal gradient from northern Norway, across Sweden to southern Poland. Additionally, we compared isotope contents between the selected lichen species, and investigated the correlation of the Cs-137 content accumulated by C. arbuscula with Cs-137 fallout after the Chernobyl disaster. The activity of Cs-137 varied from 3.58 Bq kg(-1) to 559 Bq kg(-1) for S. alpinum, and from 1.18 Bq kg(-1) to 130 Bq kg(-1) for C. arbuscula. The activity of (4) K ranged from 114 Bq kg(-1) to 341 Bq kg(-1) for S. alpinum and from 27.2 Bq kg(-1) to 314 Bq kg(-1) for C. arbuscula. The Cs-137 content did not differ between C. arbuscula and S. alpinum; however, the difference between species was significant for 4 K accumulation. The activity of Cs-137 in C. arbuscula was significantly correlated with deposition from 1986. Based on our findings we created a spatial map of Cs-137 activity in lichens measured 30 years after the event that was the primary source of this isotope. We showed that C. arbuscula can be used to assess contamination and create interpolation maps of radionuclide deposition, even if the primary deposition took place many years ago.

Automated summary

Lichens are good indicators of contamination in the environment, and this study investigated the levels of Cs-137 and (4) K in different lichen species across a gradient from northern Norway to southern Poland. The results show that C. arbuscula can be used to assess contamination and create spatial maps of radionuclide deposition.