The Occurrence of Copper—norstictic Acid in Lichens from Cupriferous Substrata

Abstract
The localization of norstictic acid and copper in green, copper-rich specimens of Acarospora smaragdula and Lecidea lactea from cupriferous substrata was studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. Infrared absorption spectroscopy of lichen material and a synthetic Cu-norstictic acid complex, and the other studies, provide evidence that complexing of copper by norstictic acid occurs within the cortex of these lichens and leads to their unusual surface coloration. Preliminary observations suggest that copper may also form a complex with psoromic acid and colour lichen thalli green. There is a strong possibility that other metal-lichen acid complexes may occur.
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