Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by lichen transplants: Comparison with gas-phase passive air samplers

•Concentrations of PAHs in lichens reflected atmospheric concentrations.•An exposure of 3 months allowed reaching equilibrium between lichens and air.•Lichens provide quantitative information on the load by PAHs in the atmosphere.•Lichen values may be translated into atmospheric concentrations.

This study compared the accumulation of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in samples of the lichen Evernia prunastri exposed for 3 months in and around an industrial area of S Italy with that in co-located passive gas-phase air samplers. The results showed a strong linear correlations (R = 0.96, P < 0.05) between total PAHs in lichens and in passive samplers, clearly indicating that lichen transplants may provide direct quantitative information on the atmospheric load by total PAHs, allowing translation of lichen values into atmospheric concentrations. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study reporting such a correlation with gas-phase passive air samplers.