Air Pollution Damage to Cell Membranes in Lichens. II. Laboratory Experiments

Abstract
Hypogymnia physodes (L.) W. Wats., Peltigera canina (L.) Willd., and Evernia prunastri (L.) Arch., were grown in the laboratory in flasks to which has been added varying amounts of SO2 or HF. After 65 days, the E. prunastri exposed to 0.30 ppm or more SO2, the H. physodes exposed to 100 ppm or more SO2, and the P. canina exposed to 300 ppm or more SO2 leaked large amounts of electrolytes, compared to controls when immersed for 2 min in deionized distilled water. P. canina exposed to 10 ppm or more HF for 18 days also showed increased leakage of electrolytes.