MOBILITY OF LICHEN COMPOUNDS FROM Cladonia MITIS IN ARCTIC SOILS

Abstract

ABSTRACT

We examined the water solubility of lichen compounds extracted from Cladonia mitis collected in arctic Alaska. The results indicate that lichen compounds are mobile within the soil profile and that they may contribute to the formation of soil and to other soil processes. Usnic acid, atranorin, and psoromic acid show a solubility in water, respectively, of 3, 3, and 7 ppm. The average concentration of usnic acid in soil solutions was found to be 0.15 ppm. Sodium carbonate extraction of the soil itself shows concentrations of usnic acid to range between 1.0 to 4.0 ppm. Several other lichen compounds common to Cladonia mitis were also found in the soil solutions, as well as within the soil profile. These findings are of particular interest in the northern ecosystems, where lichens often constitute the major vegetation.