Role for lichen melanins in uranium remediation

J. McLean (), O. W. Purvis (), B. J. Williamson () and E. H. Bailey
Additional contact information
J. McLean: The Natural History Museum
O. W. Purvis: The Natural History Museum
B. J. Williamson: The Natural History Museum
E. H. Bailey: University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington

Nature, 1998, vol. 391, issue 6668, 649-650

Abstract: Abstract Lichens are successful colonizers in extreme terrestrial habitats world-wide, including metalliferous environments1. Their ability to accumulate metals has led to their use in monitoring radionuclide fall-out from Chernobyl and uranium uptake from dust resulting from mining2. Here we report for the first time a lichen growing directly on uranium minerals and uranium being concentrated within its tissues. Our study suggests that melanin-like pigments, substances previously unreported within lichens, are involved.

Date: 1998
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DOI: 10.1038/35533

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