ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF LICHENS AT NAHUEL-HUAPI-NATIONAL-PARK, PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA

Five species of epiphytic lichens were sampled from urban and periurba n areas of Bariloche, a non industrial city located on the East side o f the Nahuel Huapi National Park, North-Western Patagonia, Argentina, and from pristine areas of the Park. Each individual lichen was analyz ed using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. The results of the analysis showed high concentrations of lithophile elements, with very good correlations among them. The relative concentration of these elem ents in all lichen species is in good agreement with the elemental com position of sediments collected in the Park, Elemental concentrations which are not related to detritical inputs are also presented.