The Uptake of Nickel Ions by Lichen Thalli of the Genera Umbilicaria and Peltigera

Abstract By using a dissection technique it was demonstrated that binding of Ni 2+ ions occurred to both the algal zone and fungal medulla in various species of the lichen genus Umbilicaria . The algal zone, fungal medulla and lower surface plates in Umbilicaria muhlenbergii accumulated 21, 52 and 27% respectively of the total Ni 2+ ions taken up. The amount of Ni taken up varied in different species of the same genus but in general the uptake by Peltigera (over 70 μmol g −1 dry weight) was some three times that by Umbilicaria under the same conditions.