Assessment of Lichens' Metabolic and Degradation Products at Dornava Manor

Abstract

Five major types of lichen were discovered in the investigated specimens from Dornava Manor. All these lichens and/or their combinations are considered common lichenous overgrowth for the region and its climate. For all of the positively identified lichen species, it is common that they are found on a wide variety of calciferous or base-rich substrata, incl. mortar, brick, roofing tiles, walls, also in large urban areas (are not particularly disturbed by pollution/eutrophication), therefore preferring neutral to basic environment. They are well adapted to sunlight (from scarce direct solar irradiation to sites with very high direct solar irradiation) and can tolerate low water accessibility. In some of the lichens parietin, an orange organic pigment, was found, indicating the sun exposed areas. Additionally, carotenoids and pulvinic acid derivatives were identified, from which the metabolic pathway of lichens can be determined. These products can also represent biomarkers that can be linked to the survival strategies of lichen communities in stressed environmental habitats. For many of the investigated samples the lichens' degradation products like oxalates were identified, mainly calcium oxalate Weddellite, while the ammonium oxalate Oxammite is also possible.