Effects of Elevated UV Irradiation and CO2 Levels on Antarctic and Subantarctic Plants, Including Implications for Ecosystem Management

From the abstract of the referenced paper: Umbilicaria decussata, Usnea sphacelata, Ceratodon purpureus and surface soil samples were collected at 10 m intervals for 90 m downwind of a concrete batching site at Casey Station, East Antarctica. Comparable samples were collected from a similar uncontaminated remote site (SSSI 16 - now known as ASPA 135).

Surface soil was alkaline in the immediate vicinity of the batching site (max pH 8.8) and tended to decrease with distance. In the SSSI control site, surface soil was acidic (pH 4.7). Lichens growing downwind of the batching site were more susceptible to damage from airborne alkaline pollution than the mosses and were moderately to severely bleached.