Lead and Lichen Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
By C○3 ♀ Ɛ○<<○3 on 27-Sep-24. Waypoint GA28258

This is a virtual geocache - there is no container to find, but there is something interesting to observe.

If you are standing at or near the given coordinates, and looking Northward up at the church here, you should be able to witness the relationship between Earth's biospehere, atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Let's start with the one item in the biospehere here I'd like to bring your attention to:

Lichen.
Lichen's existence relies on 2 fungi and one algae to live. Some lichens don't mind living in full light, while most prefer living in shadows. That's why you can find it growing more donimantly on the south side of this building. The actual growing part of lichen's life is reliant on the atmosphere. Unlike plants and animals that gain their food and nutrients from each other (to a degree) and water, lichen's gain theirs from the atmosphere. Lichen can thrive in dry places so water isn't even a high need to survive. They don't have roots so they can't draw up nutrients. The little root like structures found on the base of lichens are actually just anchors to hold fast to the surfaces they grow on. Lichen draw their nutrients through their most outer layer. Lichens are very important to Earth's biosphere because of the way they are strong indicators of air pollution and places life can or cannot survive.

Lichens thrive in clean air areas, and prefer the air around them to be clean. Therefore, they actually clean the air surrounding them. They remove polutants from our atomosphere. Where lichen thrive, the air will be very clean. Where lichen struggle, there may be a lot of air polution. Scientists worldwide monitor lichens as a way of measuring polutants in the atmosphere. When sulphur and heavy metals are too mcuh for lichen, they can't grow there at all. Like in places where lead exists. Like on the roof and window flashing of this church building.

Lead is found in rocks and soil. Lead therefore is part of the lithosphere. It is useful for it's malleability and non-corrosive qualities. Hence why it is often used in places like the roof and window flashing here to direct rainwater down the roof, as oposed seeping into the building materials which causes decay. Lead can actually release poisonous toxins. Heat and acids are the main contributors to this, and water at a lesser level. Here you can see where toxins are leaching (leaking) from the lead onto the roof because the lichen cannot survive with this high amount of lead.

Rain, a part of our hydrosphere, can contain a small amount of acid causing leaching. Heating of the lead also causes leaching and then the rain comes along and washes it off. On this rooftop you can see the interaction of the lead and the rain, as there are very visible areas directly below the lead flashing where no lichen is growing.

So what you can see here is:
Lichen is growing on this roof. The dark roof areas are actually lichen whilst, where the lead has been drawn down by the rain, the original roof colouring can be seen as it is clear of all living things. Nothing lives in the lead trail because of it's toxic poisons. Whilst lichen can clean the environment of some toxins, if the level is too high then it cannot survive. Here you can see all 4 of Earth's spheres at work. Biosphere - Lichen. Atmosphere - Lichen growth and existence. Lithosphere - Lead. Hydrosphere - Rain drawing down the leaching lead over the roof.

If you've never noticed this before, you will probably see it all over the place now. Here's a simple fact sheet for more info on lead's effect on our environment. 

Here's how you can log this Earth Science Cache as found. Answer the following multiple choice questions which can be found in this cache menu under "Questions and Answers Get Codeword". When you have answered all correctly you will be given a code needed for your found log. Copy and paste the code, or write it down, and place in the box provided in your found log. WIthout this code, your found log will not work. Whilst it is possible to try and answer all these questions without visiting the coordinates, it is not the way the game is meant to be played. Only log as found after visitng the coordinates/site of this Earth Science cache.

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The questions found in the Questions and Answers tab:

1. Lichen is part of the biosphere becuase:
A - It needs air
B - It needs rocks
C - It needs water
D - it is a living organism

2. What does lichen do to our atmosphere?
A - It cleans toxins from it
B - It sucks oxygen out of it
C - It pumps toxins into it

3. If lead is found in rocks and soil, which part of the Earth system is it?
A - Hydrosphere
B - Lithosphere
C - Biosphere
D - Atmosphere

4. Evidnece of rain interacting with lead on this rooftop can be seen by:
A - Lichen grows here
B - Lead is used as flashing on the windows and roof ridge
C - Clear patches where lead has washed down
D - Photos of floodwaters around the statue of Mary

5. There's a decorated cross on the lawn here. On the back are words. What are they giving gratitude for?

A - Living in Australia

B - Good health

C - The Past

D - Sunshine

6. On the same cross, find the side with Adam and Eve with a Kangaroo, Whale and Brolga. Look up underneath the cross bar of the cross. What is the bearded man holding in his left hand?

A - A staff

B - A dagger

C - An hourglass

D - The Ten Commandments

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As this is the first Earth Science cache I have made, I would greatly appreciate feedback on whether this is confusing, too much information, or any other feedback. Private message can work for feedback, but would be better gievne on the Earth Science Cache forum post. Thanks. :)

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