Effect of nitrogen containing pollutants on chemical composition of Hypogymnia physodes

Interaction of nitric acid, ammonium hydroxide and nitrate with Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. lichen in laboratory conditions is studied by help of IR spectroscopy. It is established that nitric acid affects the lichen thallus forming alkylnitrates. This process is accompanied by morphological changes, in particular, by transition of the lichen's color. Unlike nitric acid, ammonium compounds cause essential damages of the thallus that can be connected with the destruction processes.