Heavy metal behavior on slag weathering process mediated by a lichen

Abstract

The present study aimed to clarify the behavior of heavy metals on lichen-slag interactions. The slag are weathered by hypha penetration and acids of lichens in addition to inorganic weathering and releases heavy metals. The dissolved Cu and Zn are contained in the hypha cells, while Fe is concentrated on the hyphae as Fe-hydroxides with As in the lichen thallus. The Fe-hydroxides also contain positively charged metals such as Zn, and therefore they could be a mixture with organic matters.