Role for lichen melanins in uranium remediation

McLean, J.; Purvis, O. W.; Williamson, B. J.; Bailey, E. H.

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.

• Journal Article Type: Letter
• Publication Date: Feb 12, 1998
• Deposit Date: Apr 25, 2021
• Journal: Nature
• Print ISSN: 0028-0836
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 391
• Issue: 6668
• Pages: 649-650
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/35533
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5160869
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/35533