LEAD POLLUTION IN THE ANTARCTIC REGION

Antarctica is considered to be one of the last 'clean' areas in the wo rld. Therefore, it is important to protect this area from pollution fr om increased human activity in the region. The aim of this study was t o analyse the Antarctic environment in respect of pollution. Lichen sa mples such as Usnea antarctica and Usnea aurantiaco-atra were chosen a s good indicators of trace element contamination, Samples were collect ed on King George and Livingston islands in the areas of Polish, Brazi lian, Russian, Chilean and Spanish Antarctic stations. The lead concen tration was determined by the Proton-induced x-ray emission technique at the Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Krakow. Th e results obtained in an experiment on the transplantation of lichens from clean sites to polluted areas close to the bases confirmed an inc reased level of lead. Material was sampled after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months . The long-term integrating ability of lichens is clearly visible. Ele vated concentrations of lead of up to 160 ppm in samples placed close to the road to the power station were found. The results indicate the necessity for continuous environment pollution monitoring of Antarctic a. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.