Lichen colonization of an active volcanic environment: a Raman spectroscopic study of extremophile biomolecular protective strategies

The Raman spectra of some sixteen lichen specimens from eight genera growing on basaltic lava and wood substrates on new lava fields on the Kilauea volcano, Kona, Hawaii, have been analysed in therms of the pigments and biomolecules produced in this extreme environment. Chlorophyll and a carotenoid, probably lutein or astaxanthin, are ubiquitous, but otherwise, a range of protective pigments have been identified, including atranorin, usnic acid, gyrophoric acid, parietin and pulvinic acid dilactone. In addition, some species were observed to produce calcium oxalate monohydrate and dihydrate. Clearly, several strategies for survival were being adopted by the lichens to combat radiation insolation, desiccation and high temperatures; in one case, of the same lichen species colonizing wood and lava in the same location, a different survival strategy could be detected related to their substrate, but further long-term ecological experiments would be indicated to derive more detailed information on this aspect. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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