Elemental concentrations in lichens in the area of the four corners power plant, New Mexico

Within a several kilometre radius of the Four Corners Power Plant, lichen species had elevated concentrations of B, F, Li and Se compared with lichens of more remote sites. The elements Ba, Cu, Mn and Mo were also found in elevated concentrations, but only in one lichen species. The patterns of elements occurring in both elevated and non-elevated levels correspond very closely to published chemical data on enrichment ratios and elemental solubility for post-precipitator fly ash. Within a 2 km radius F was found in concentrations potentially toxic to lichens. Variation in elemental composition with respect to morphological form was established. The relatively high background concentrations of several elements are probably related to particulate incorporation from dust fall, a characteristic of particular importance in open environments such as the Four Corners Region.