Lignin phenols derivatives in lichens.

Lignin monophenols have been measured in the cupric oxide oxidation products from lichens of different systematic groups. It is shown for the first time that syringyl structures in most lichens strongly dominate over vanillyl and p-hydroxyl ones (S/V 7-583, S/P 3-30). This distinguishes lichens from algae and mosses (p-hydroxyl phenols are dominant) and from higher plants (S/V ratios are from 0 in gymnosperms to 1.1-5.2 in angiosperms). Molecular ratios of phenols as well as the ratios of acids to aldehydes in lichens were different from lignin of higher plants, suggesting contribution of non-lignin phenols in CuO oxidation products. The contents of syringyl and vanillyl phenols in some lichen species were comparable to non-woody tissues of higher plants. Results of the study suggest that lichens can be important source of aromatic structures in soils and hydrosphere, particularly in the regions were lichens are abundant.

[Laccase and tyrosinase activities in lichens].

Phenoloxidase activity was found in lichenized ascomycetes belonging to different taxonomic groups. Most of the epigeic and epilithic lichens of the order Peltigerales were found to possess both laccase and tyrosinase activities; the lichens of the order Lecanorales possessed only laccase activity, which was an order of magnitude lower than that of Peltigerales. Water-soluble phenoloxidases were present only in peltigerous lichens: activity that could be washed out from intact thalli comprised 10% of that released from disrupted thalli. The activity of the peltigerous lichens and the release of soluble phenoloxidases into the medium increased when the thalli were rehydrated quickly. In some of the lichens tested, the phenoloxidase activity was stimulated by desiccation-rehydration cycles. The oxidases discovered may play an important role in the phenolic metabolism of lichens and be involved in the biochemical reaction of humus synthesis during primary soil formation, which may be a previously unknown geochemical function of these symbiotic microorganisms.

Accelerated fractionation of heavy metals in contaminated soils and sediments using rotating coiled columns.

A new approach to performing an accelerated sequential extraction of trace elements from solid samples has been proposed. It has been shown that rotating coiled columns (RCC) earlier used in counter-current chromatography can be successfully applied to the dynamic leaching of heavy metals from soils and sediments. A solid sample was retained in the rotating column as the stationary phase under the action of centrifugal forces while different eluents (aqueous solutions of complexing reagents, mineral salts and acids) were continuously pumped through. The procedure developed is time saving and requires only 4-5 h instead of the several days needed for traditional sequential extraction (TSE), complete automation being possible. Losses of solid sample are minimal. In most cases the recoveries of readily bioavailable and leachable forms of Pb, Zn, and Cd are higher, if a dynamic extraction in RCC is used. Since naturally occurring processes are always dynamic, continuous extraction in RCC may help to estimate the contents of leachable forms and their potential risk for the environment more correctly than batch TSE. The Kersten-Foerstner and McLaren-Crawford leaching schemes have been compared, the former has been found to be preferable.