Abstract
Pollutants cause many kinds of damage to organisms. Damage can occur at all levels of biological organization, from the components of individual cells to ecosystems (Figure 1) [84]. Many studies have shown that plants and lichens can be used to assess environmental contamination. Traditionally, the rate of accumulation of contaminants, geographical distribution or morphological modifications have been studied in “indicator” species (see chapters 2-7, this volume). However, it is now realized that the impact of pollutants can be measured more quickly by testing their effects on certain physiological processes of these indicators. Suitable processes are now termed “biomarkers”. An important consequence of air pollution is the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in organisms [71]. The aim of this chapter is to review the concept of biomarkers, outline mechanisms of free radical formation, damaging effects of ROS, and protection mechanisms against these. The use of both the deleterious effects and the defence mechanisms as actual and potential biomarkers in lichens is discussed.
Keywords
- Reactive Oxygen Species
- Brassica Juncea
- Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenge Enzyme
- Oxalate Dihydrate
- Lichen Substance
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Acworth, I.N. and Bailey, P.B. (1995) The handbook of oxidative metabolism, ESA, Chlemsford.
Balachandran, S., Hurry, V.M., Kelley, S.E., Osmond, C.B., Robinson, S.A., Rohozinski, J., Seaton, G.G.R., and Sims, D.A. (1997) Concept of plant biotic stress some insights into stress physiology of virus-infected plants from the perspective of photosynthesis, Physiologia Plantarum 100, 203–213.
Belnap, J. and Harper, K.T. (1990) Effects of a coal fired power plant on the rock lichen Rhizoplaca melanophthalma chlorophyll degradation and electrolyte leakage, The Bryologist 93, 309–312.
Bolwell, G.P. (1999) Role of active oxygen species and NO in plant defense responses, Current Opinion in Plant Biology 2, 287–294.
Brennan, R. and Schiestl, R.H. (1996) Cadmium is an inducer of oxidative stress in yeast, Mutation Research 356, 171–178.
Brown, D.H. and Beckett, R.P. (1984) Minerals and lichens: acquisition localisation and effects, in C. Vicente, D.H. Brown and M.E. Legaz (eds.), Surface physiology of lichens, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, pp. 127–149.
Brown, D.H. and Beckett, R.P. (1984) Uptake and effect of cations on lichen metabolism, Lichenologist 16, 173–188.
Cañas, M.S. and Pignata, M.L. (1998) Temporal variation of pigments and peroxidation products in the lichen Parmotrema uruguense (Kremplh.) Hale transplanted to urban and non-polluted environments, Symbiosis 24, 147–162.
Carlas, M.S., Orellana, L., and Pignata, M.L. (1997) Chemical response of the lichens Parmotrema austrosinense and P. conferendum transplanted to urban and non-polluted environments, Annates Botanici Fennici 34, 27–34.
Carreras, H.A. and Pignata, M.L. (2001) Comparison among air pollutants, meteorological conditions and some chemical parameters in the transplanted lichen Usnea amblyoclada, Environmental Pollution 111, 45–52.
Carreras, H.A., Gudiño, G.L., and Pignata, M.L. (1998) Comparative biomonitoring of atmospheric quality in five zones of Córdoba city (Argentina) employing the transplanted lichen Usnea sp., Environmental Pollution 103, 317–325.
Caviglia, A.M. and Modenesi, P. (1999) Oxidative stress and ascorbic acid contents in Parmotrema reticulatum and Parmelia sulcata thalli, Lichenologist 31, 105–110.
Chaoui, A., Mazhoudi, S., Ghorbal, M.H., and El Ferjani, E. (1997) Cadmium and zinc induction of lipid peroxidation and effects on antioxydant enzyme activities in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), Plant Science 127, 139–147.
Cossu, C., Doyotte, A., Jacquin, M.C., and Vasseur, P. (1997) Mécanismes de formation des espèces réactives de l’oxygène, in L. Lagadic, T. Caquet, J.C. Amiard and F. Ramade (eds.), Biomarqueurs en ecotoxicologie aspects fondamentaux, Masson, Paris, pp. 125–148.
Cuny, D., Van Haluwyn, C., Shirali, P., Haguenoer, J.M., and Pesch, R. (2000) The concept of biomarker in lichenology — Application in bioindication survey, in The fourth IAL Symposium, Barcelona, Book of Abstracts.
Deltoro, V.I., Gimeno, C., Calatayud, A., and Barreno, E. (1999) Effects of SO2 on photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence emission and antioxidant enzymes in the lichen Evernia prunastri and Ramalina farinacea, Physiologia Plantarum 105, 648–654.
Depledge, M.H., Amaral-Mendes, J.J., Daniel, B., Halbrook, R.S., Klopper-Sams, P., Ernst, W.H.O., and Peterson, P.J. (1993) The role of biomarkers in environmental assessment (a) terrestrial plants, Ecotoxicology 3, 180–192.
Deruelle, S. and Petit, P.J.X. (1983) Preliminary studies on the net photosynthesis and respiration responses of some lichens to automobile pollution, Cryptogamie, Bryologie-Lichénologie 4, 269–278
Egger, R., Schlee, D., and Türk, R. (1994) Changes of physiological and biochemical parameters in the lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. due to the action of air pollutants. A field study, Phyton 34, 229–242.
Elix, J.A., Whitton, A.A., and Sargent, M.V. (1984) Recent progress in the chemistry of lichen substances, in W. Herz, H. Griesbach and G.W. Kirby, (eds.), Progress in the chemistry of organic natural products 45, Springer Verlag, Wien, New York, pp. 103–234.
Elstner, E.F. (1982) Oxygen activation and oxygen toxicity, Annual Review of Plant Physiology 33, 76–96.
Elstner, E.F. and Oßwald, W. (1994) Mechanisms of oxygen activation during plant stress, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh 102, 131–154.
Ernst, W.H.O. and Peterson, P.J. (1994) The role of biomarkers in environmental assessment (a) terrestrial plants, Ecotoxicology 3, 180–192.
Esterbauer, H., Schaur, R.J., and Zollner, H. (1991) Chemistry and biochemistry of 4-hydroxynonenal, malondialdehyde and related aldehydes, Free Radical Biol. Med. 11, 81–128.
Fields, R.D. and St. Clair, L.L. (1984) A comparison of methods for evaulating SO2 impact on selected lichen species: Parmelia chlorochroa, Collema polycarpon and Lecanora muralis, The Bryologist 87, 297–301.
Finckh, B.F. and Kunert, K.J. (1985) Vitamin C and E: an antioxidative system against herbicide-induced lipid peroxidation in higher plants, Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 33, 574–577.
Foyer, C. and Halliwell, B. (1976) The presence of glutathione and glutathione reductase in chloroplasts: a proposed role in ascorbic acid metabolism, Planta 133, 21–25.
Galiazzo, F., Carri, M.T., Ciriolo, M.R., and Rotilo, G. (1994) Superoxyde dismutases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in G. Winkelmann and D.R. Winge (eds.), Metal ions in fungi, Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, pp. 361–390.
Gallego, S.M., Benavides, M.P., and Tomaro, M.L. (1996) Effect of heavy metal ion excess on sunflower leaves evidence for involvement of oxidative stress, Plant Science 121, 151–159.
Garty, J. (1993) Lichens as biomonitors for heavy metal pollution, in B. Markert (ed.), Plants as Biomonitors. Indicators for Heavy Metals in the Terrestrial Environment, VCH, Weinheim, pp. 193–263.
Garty, J. (2000) Trace metals, other chemical elements and lichen phisiology: research in the nineties, in B. Markert and K. Friese (eds.), Trace elements-Their distribution and effects in the environment, Elsevier Science, pp. 277–322.
Garty, J. (2001) Biomonitoring Heavy Metal Pollution with Lichens, in I. Kranner, R.P Beckett, and A. Varma (eds.), Protocols in Lichenology, Culturing, Biochemistry, Ecophysiology and Use in Biomonitoring, Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg (in press).
Garty, J., Karnieli, A., Wolfson, R., Kunin, P., and Garty-Spitz, R. (1997) Spectral reflectance and integrity of cell membranes and chlorophyll relative to the concentration of airborne mineral elements in a lichen, Physiologia Plantarum 101, 257–264.
Gilbert, H.F. (1995) Thiol-Disulfide exchange equilibria and disulfide bond stability, Methods in Enzymology 251, 8–28.
Gonzalez, C.M. and Pignata, M.L. (1994) The influence of air pollution on soluble proteins, chlorophyll degradation, MDA, sulfur and heavy metals in a transplanted lichen, Chemistry and Ecology 9, 105–113.
González, C.M. and Pignata, M.L. (1997) Chemical response of the lichen Punctelia subrudecta (Nyl.) Krog transplanted close to a power station in an urban-industrial environment, Environmental Pollution 97, 195–203.
González, C.M. and Pignata, M.L. (1999) Effect of pollutants emitted by different urban-industrial sources on the chemical response of the transplanted Ramalina ecklonii (Spreng.) Mey. and Flot., Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry 69, 61–73.
González, C.M. and Pignata, M.L. (2000) Chemical response of transplanted lichen Canomaculina pilosa to different emission sources of air pollutants, Environmental Pollution 110, 235–242.
González, C.M., Casanovas, S.S., and Pignata, M.L. (1996) Biomonitoring of air pollution from traffic and industries employing Ramalina ecklonii (Spreng.) Mey. and Flot. in Córdoba, Argentina, Environmental Pollution 91, 269–277.
Grace, B., Gillpsie, T.J., and Puckett, K.J. (1985) Uptake of gaseous sulfure dioxide by the lichen Cladonia rangiferina, Canadian Journal of Botany 63, 707–715.
Halliwell, B. (1984) Chloroplast Metabolism, Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Halliwell, B. (1987) Oxidative damage, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant protection in chloroplasts, Chemistry and Physics of Lipids 44, 327–340.
Halliwell, B. and Gutteridge, J.M.C. (1989) Free radicals in biology and medicine, Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Handy, R.D. and Depledge, H. (1999) Physiological responses; their measurement and use as environmental biomarkers in ecotoxicology, Ecotoxicology 8, 329–349.
Hidalgo, M.E., Fernandez, E., Quilhot, W., and Lissi, E. (1994) Antioxidant activity of depsides and depsidones, Phytochemistry 37, 1585–1587.
Holopainen, T.H. (1984) Cellular injuries in epiphytic lichens transplanted to air polluted areas, Nordic Journal of Botany 4, 393–408.
Howlett, N. and Avery, S. (1997) Induction of lipid peroxidation during heavy metal stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and influence of plasma membrane fatty acid unsaturation, Applied and Environmental MicrobiologyApplied and Environmental Microbiology, 2971–2976.
Huneck, S., and Yoshimura, I. (1996) Identification of Lichen Substances, Springer, Berlin.
Koeman, J.H., Köhler-Günther, A., Kurelec, B., Riviére, J.L., Versteeg, D., and Walker, C.H. (1993) Applications and objectives of biomarkers research, in D.B. Peakall and L.R. Shugart (eds.), Biomarkers Research and Application in the Assessment of Environmental Health, NATO Advanced Sciences Institutes Series, Springer Verlag, Berlin, Vol. H68, pp. 1–13.
Kong, F.X., HU, W., Chao, S.Y., Sang, W.L., and Wang, L.S. (1999) Physiological responses of the lichen Xanthoparmelia mexicana to oxidative stress of SO2, Environmental and Experimental Botany 42, 201–209.
Kranner, I. and Grill, D. (1997) Desiccation of lichens: Changes in the glutathione status, in W.J. Cram, L.J. DeKok, I. Stulen, C. Brunold and H. Rennenberg (eds.), Sulfur metabolism in higher plants. Fundamental molecular, ecophysiological and agricultural aspects, Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands, pp. 253–255.
Kranner, I. and Lutzoni, F (1999) Evolutionary consequences of transition to a lichen symbiotic state and physiological adaptation to oxidative damage associated with poikilohydry, in H.R. Lerner (ed.). Plant Response to Environmental Stress: From Phytohormones to Genome Reorganization, M. Dekker Inc., New York, pp. 591–628.
Lagadic, L., Caquet, T., and Amiard, J.C. (1997) Biomarqueurs en écotoxicologie principes et définitions, in L. Lagadic, T. Caquet, J.C. Amiard and F. Ramade (eds.), Biomarqueurs en écotoxicologie aspects fondamentaux, Masson, Paris, pp. 1–10.
Lamoureux, G.L. and Rusness, D.G. (1993) Glutathione in the metabolism and detoxification of xenobiotics in plants, in L.J. DeKok, I. Stulen, H. Rennenberg, C. Brunold and W.E. Rauser (eds.), Sulfur nutrition and assimilation in higher plants, SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, pp. 221–237.
Levin, A.G. and Pignata, M.L. (1995) Ramalina ecklonii (Spreng,) Mey. and Flot. as bioindicator of atmospheric pollution in Argentina, Canadian Journal of Botany 73, 1196–1202.
Levine, A. (1999) Oxidative stress as a regulator of environmental responses in plants, in H.R. Lerner (ed.), Plant Response to Environmental Stress: From Phytohormones to Genome Reorganization, M. Dekker Inc., New York, pp. 247–264.
Miller, P.R. (1989) Biomarkers for defining air pollution effects in western coniferous forests, in National Research Council (ed.), Biologic markers of air pollution stress and damage in forests, Committee on biological markers of air pollution damage in trees, National Academy Press, Washington D.C., pp. 111–188.
Minibayeva, F. and Beckett, R.P. (2001) High rates of extracellular superoxide production in bryophytes and lichens, and an oxidative burst in response to rehydration following desiccation, New Phylologist (submitted).
Modenesi, P. (1993) An SEM study of injury symptoms in Parmotrema reticulatum treated with paraquat or growing in sulphur dioxide-polluted air, Lichenologist 25, 423–433.
Monod, G. (1997) Induction du cytochrome P450A1, in L. Lagadic, T. Caquet, J.C. Amiard and F. Ramade (eds.), Biomarqueurs en écotoxicologie aspects fondamentaux, Masson, Paris, pp. 33–52.
Muir, M.V. and McCune, B. (1987) Index construction for foliar symptoms of air pollution injury, Phytopathology 71, 558–565.
NAS/NCR (1989) Biologic markers in reproductive toxicology, National Academic Press, Washington.
National Research Council (Washington DC) (1987) Biological markers in environmental health research, Environmental Health Perspectives 74, 3–9.
Nieboer, E., Richardson, D.H.S. and Tomassini, F.D. (1978) Mineral uptake and release by lichens an overview, The Bryologisl 81, 226–246.
Niewiadomska, E. and Miszalski, Z. (1997) Determination of some oxidative stress parameters in variegated leaves of Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Bak, Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 19, 33–39.
Pearson, L.C. and Henricksson, E. (1981) Air pollution damage to cell membranes in lichens II Laboratory experiments, The Bryologist 84, 515–520.
Pearson, L.C. and Rogers, G.A. (1982) Air pollution damage to cell membranes in lichens. III. Field experiments, Phyton 22, 329–337.
Prasad, K.V.S.K., Paradha Saradhi, P., and Sharmila, P. (1999) Concerted action of antioxidant enzymes and curtailed growth under zinc toxicity in Brassica juncea, Environmental and Experimental Botany 42 (1), 1–10.
Rauser, W.E. (2000) The role of thiols in plants under metal stress, in C. Brunold, H. Rennenberg, L.J. deKok, I. Stulen and J.C. Davidian (eds.), Sulphur nutrition and sulphur assimilation in higher plants. Molecular, biochemical and physiological aspects, Paul Haupt, Bern, pp. 169–183.
Rice-Evans, C.A., Miller, N.J., and Paganga, G. (1996) Structure-antioxidant activity relationship of flavonoids and phenolic acids, Free Radical Biology and Medicine 20, 933–956.
Sandermann, H., Ernst, D., Heller, W., and Langebartels, C. (1998) Ozone: an abiotic elicitor of plant defence reactions, Trends in Plant Science 3, 47–50.
Sarret, G., Manceau, A., Cuny, D., Van Haluwyn, C., Deruelle, S., Hazemann, J.L., Soldo, Y., Eybert-Berard, L., and Menthonnex, J.J. (1998) Mechanisms of lichen resistance to metallic pollution, Environmental Science and Technology 32, 3325–3330.
Schlee, D., Kandzia, R., Tintemann, H., and Türk, R. (1995) Activity of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde content in lichens along an altitude profile, Phyton 35, 233–242.
Silberstein, L., Siegel, B.Z., Siegel, S.M., Mukhtar, A., and Galun, M. (1996) Comparative studies on Xanthoria parietina a pollution-resistant lichen and Ramalina duriaei a sensitive species. II. Evaluation of possible air pollution-protection mechanisms, Lichenologist, 28, 367–383.
Smirnoff, N. (1993) The role of active oxygen in the response of plants to water deficit and desiccation, New Phytologist 125, 27–58.
Smirnoff, N. (2000) Ascorbic acid: metabolism and functions of a multi-facetted molecule, Current Opinion in Plant Biology 3, 229–235.
Tarhanen, S., Holopainen, T., Poikolainen, J., and Oksanen, J. (1996) Effect of industrial emissions on membrane permeability of epiphytic lichens in northern Finland and the Kola peninsula industrial areas, Water, Air and Soil Pollution 88, 189–201.
Tarhanen, S., Metsärinne, S., Holopainen, T., and Oksanen, J. (1999) Membrane permeability response of lichen Bryoria fuscescens to wet-deposited heavy metals and acid rain, Environmental Pollution 104, 121–129.
Valenzuela, A. (1991) The biological significance of malondialdehyde determination in the assessment of tissue oxidative stress, Life Sciences 48, 301–309.
Van Gestel, C.A.M and Van Brumelen, T.C. (1996) Incorporation of the biomarker concept in ecotoxicology calls for a redefinition of terms, Ecotoxicology 5, 217–225.
Vangronsveld, J., Mench, M., Mocquot, B., and Clijsters, H. (1998) Biomarqueurs d’exposition des végétaux terrestres aux polluants application à la pollution par les métaux, in L. Lagadic, T. Caquet, J.C. Amiard and F. Ramade (eds.), Utilisation des biomarqueurs pour la surveillance de la qualité de l’environnement, Lavoisier Technique et Documentation, Paris, pp. 165–179.
Vangronsveld, J., Mocquot, B., Mench, M., and Clijsters, H. (1997) Biomarqueurs du stress oxydant chez les végétaux, in L. Lagadic, T. Caquet, J.C. Amiard and F. Ramade (eds.), Biomarqueurs en écotoxicologie aspects fondamentaux, Masson, Paris, pp. 165–184.
Velikova, V., Yordanova, I., and Edrevab, A. (2000) Oxidative stress and some antioxidant systems in acid rain-treated bean plants, Protective role of exogenous polyamines, Plant Sciences 151, 59–66.
Weinstein, D.A. and Birk, E.M. (1989) The effects of chemicals on the structure of terrestrial ecosystems: Mechanisms and patterns of change, in S.A. Levin., M.A. Harwell, J.R. Kelly and K.D. Kimball (eds.), Ecotoxicology: Problems and approaches, Springer, New York, pp. 76–94.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2002 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Cuny, D., Pignata, M.L., Kranner, I., Beckett, R. (2002). Biomarkers of Pollution-Induced Oxidative Stress and Membrane Damage in Lichens. In: Nimis, P.L., Scheidegger, C., Wolseley, P.A. (eds) Monitoring with Lichens — Monitoring Lichens. NATO Science Series, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0423-7_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0423-7_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-0430-8
Online ISBN: 978-94-010-0423-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive