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Cladonia verticillaris (lichen) can exhibit defense mechanisms against Rn-222 under controlled conditions

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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Rn-222 progeny on the lichen Cladonia verticillaris under controlled conditions. The results showed resistance of the species, and few changes in the level of photosynthetic pigments. Blockage in the biosynthetic route of the major phenolic compound fumarprotocetraric acid was also identified, and accumulation of protocetraric acid, as defense mechanism against external pollutants, to maintain thallus vitality. The accumulation of the 210Pb and 226Ra, radioisotopes estimated from the daughter of 214Bi and 214Pb, was incipient. C. verticillaris showed resistance to 222Rn, with accumulation of intermediary phenolic only at the begining of experiments.

Graphical Abstract Schematic model of exposure of Cladonia verticillaris (lichen) to 222Rn under controlled conditions.

Highlights

Cladonia verticillaris was resistant to high doses of radiation, showing stability in the production of chlorophyll.

Blockage in the biosynthesis of fumarprotocetraric acid was identified, causing accumulation of protocetraric acid, as a form of protection against the activity of Rn-222.

Daughters of Rn-222 were determined, but the species reported low accumulation,  and ability of self-protection.

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Data Availability

The authors declare that all data generated or analyzed during this study are included in the text submitted for publication.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the financial support provided by the Fundação de Amparo à Ciência do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE) (Process number APQ-0785-3.09/14), by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (Process numbers 311153/2019-4 and 307622/2019-3), and by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES, Finance Code 001).

Funding

This study had no financial support, except for grants from CAPES and FACEPE for students, and CNPq for researcher.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Centenário 303, 13400-970, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil

    Bruno Fonseca da Silva

  2. Centro Universitário Brasileiro, R. Padre Inglês 257, 50050-230, Recife Pernambuco, Brazil

    Karolayne Esthefany Melo da Silva

  3. Centro Regional de Ciência Nucleares do Nordeste- Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear, Av. Prof. Luiz Freire 200, 50740-545, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Emerson Emiliano Gualberto de Farias & Elvis Joacir de França

  4. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego 1235, 50670-901, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Mônica Cristina Barroso Martins, Maria de Lourdes Lacerda Buril, Gustavo Gabriel da Silva Alves, Andrezza Karla de Oliveira Silva, Nicácio Herique da Silva & Eugênia C. Pereira

  5. Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação do Estado de Pernambuco, R. Vital de Oliveira 32, 50030-370, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Mariana Luiza de Oliveira Santos

  6. Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, R. Dom Manuel de Medeiros s/n, 52171900, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Ednaldo Barbalho de Lira Júnior

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  1. Bruno Fonseca da Silva
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Correspondence to Eugênia C. Pereira.

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da Silva, B.F., da Silva, K.E.M., de Farias, E.E.G. et al. Cladonia verticillaris (lichen) can exhibit defense mechanisms against Rn-222 under controlled conditions. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 331, 3671–3679 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08430-x

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