LICHEN BIOMONITORING OF TRACE-ELEMENTS IN A GEOTHERMAL AREA (CENTRAL ITALY)

The epiphytic lichen Parmelia caperata was used systematically to biom onitor trace elements in the Travale-Radicondoli geothermal field (cen tral Italy). The results showed a very low occurrence of potentially t oxic heavy metals such as Cd, Hg and Ph, and relatively high values fo r As, B, Mo and elements associated with soil dust (Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni). Boron was the principal element of geothermal origin. Arseni c seems to originate both from power plants and adjacent thermal sprin gs. It is concluded that trace element pollution in the area is low.