Effect of ammonium sulfate on indicator lichens studied by means of FTIR spectroscopy

Several kinds of indicator lichens undergone to interaction with ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) have been studied by means of FTIR spectroscopy. It has been established that three types of compounds – sulfones (R–SO2R), sulfates (R–O–SO2–R1) and ammonium salts (R–COONH4) are formed in lichens under the influence of this substance. The combination of types of formed compounds depends on specificity and concentration of a pollutant. Their qualitative estimation and investigation of morphological changes in the lichens allow us to define the sensitivity of the studied species to (NH4)2SO4 treatment.