Abstract
Three different growth forms of lichens belonging to six species; Phaeophyscia hispidula, Parmotrema praesorediosum (foliose); Caloplaca subsoluta, Diploschistes candidissmus (crustose) and Peltula euploca, Phylliscum indicum (squamulose) were studied comparatively for the biomonitoring of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn in Mandav city in central India. Based on the anthropogenic activities three sites were selected for lichen collection. To identify the sources of heavy metal pollution, their concentration was analyzed in thallus as well as in their respective substrates. The thallus of studied lichens showed higher concentration of metals such as Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn, while most of the metals were absent or present in negligible amount in substrates (Fe, Al, Cu), which proves that the accumulated metals were air borne. The foliose lichens (P. hispidula and P. praesorediosum) found highly significant in metal accumulation at each sites followed by crustose and squamulose forms. Lichen samples collected from site 2, adjacent to road side accumulated maximum quantities of Zn, Ni, Cd and Cr whereas the city centre (Site 1) had maximum concentrations of Fe, Cu and Al. The site 3 situated away from the city had lowest amount of all the metals. The analysis of variance and LSD indicated that the metal concentrations among lichen species as well as between substratum is significant at p < 0.05% and P < 0.01% level respectively.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bajpai, R., Upreti, D.K., Dwivedi, S.K.: Arsenic accumulation in lichens of Mandav monuments, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. Env. Monit. Ass. 159, 437–442 (2009)
Bajpai, R., Upreti, D.K., Mishra, S.K.: Pollution monitoring with the help of lichen transplant technique at some residential sites of Lucknow. J. Env. Bio. 25(2), 191–195 (2004)
Baptista, M.S., Teresa, M., Vasconcelos, S.D., Carbral, J.P., Freitas, C.M., Pacheo, A.M.G.: Copper, Nickel, Lead in lichens and tree bark transplants over different period of time. Env. Poll. 151, 408–413 (2008)
Bergamaschi, L., Rizzio, E., Giaveri, G., Profumo, A., Loppi, S., Gallorini, M.: Deptermination of baseline element composition of lichens using samples from high elevations. Chemo. 55, 933–939 (2004)
Berry, W.L., Wallace, A.: Toxicity: the concept and relationship to the dose response review. J. Pl. Nut. 30, 13–19 (1981)
Brown, D.H., Beckett, R.P.: Differential sensitivity of lichens to heavy metals. Ann. Bot. 52, 51–57 (1983)
Carreras, H.A., Pignata, M.L.: Biomonitoring of heavy metals and air quality in Còrdoba City, Argentina, using transplanted lichens. Env. Poll. 117, 77–87 (2002)
Cloquet, C., Carignon, J., Libourel, G.: Atmospheric pollutant dispersion around an urban area using trace metal concentrations and Pb isotopic compositions in epithytic lichens. Atmos. Env. 40, 5740587 (2006)
Conti, M.E., Cecchetti, G.: Biological monitoring: lichens as bioindicators of air pollution assessment- a review. Env. Poll. 114, 471–492 (2001)
Dubey, A.N., Pandey, V., Upreti, D.K., Singh, J.: Accumulation of lead in lichens growing in and around Faizabad City, Uttar Pradesh. J. Env. Bio. 20(3), 223–225 (1999)
Garty, J., Delarea, J.: Localization of iron and other elements in the lichen Nephroma articum (L.) Torss. Env. Exp. Bot. 31, 367–375 (1991)
Garty, J.: Biomonitoring atmospheric heavy metals with lichens: Theory and application. Crit. Rev. Pl. Sci. 20(4), 309–371 (2001)
Garty, J., Galun, M., Kessel, M.: Localization of heavy metals and other elements caaumulated in the lichen thallus. New Phyto. 82, 159–168 (1979)
Godinho, R.M., Wolterbeek, H.T., Verburg, T., Freitas, M.C.: Bioaccumulation behavior of lichen Flavoparmelia caperata in relation to total deposition at a polluted location in Portugal. Env. Poll. 151, 318–325 (2008)
Jeran, Z., Jacimovic, R., Batic, F., Mavsar, R.: Lichens as integrating air pollution monitors. Env. Poll. 120, 107–113 (2002)
Loppi, S., Bonini, I.: Lichens and mosses as biomonitors of trace elements in areas with thermal springs and fumaroles activity (Mt. Amianta, central Italy). Chemo. 41, 1333–1136 (2000)
Loppi, S., Putorti, E., Pirintsos, S.A., Dominicis, V.D.: Accumulation of heavy metals in epiphytic lichens near municipal waste incinerator (central Italy). Env. Monit. Ass. 61, 361–371 (2000)
Nayaka, S., Upreti, D.K., Gadgil, M., Pandey, V.: Distribution pattern and heavy metal accumulation in lichen of Banglore City with reference to Lalbagh Garden. Curr. Sci. 84(5), 674–680 (2003)
Nimis, P.L., Castello, M., Pertotti, M.: Lichens as biomonitors of sulphur di oxide pollution in La Spezia (north Italy). Licheno. 22, 333–344 (1990)
Nriagu, J.O., Pacyana, J.: Quantitative assessment of worldwide contamination of air, water and soil by trace metals. Nature 333, 134–139 (1988)
Pignata, M.L., Pla, R.R., Jasan, R.C., Martinez, M.S., Rodriques, J.H., Wannaz, E.D., Gudino, G.L., Carreras, H.A., Genzalez, C.M.: Distribution of atmospheric trace element and assessment of air quality in Argentina employing the lichen Ramalina celastri as a passive biomonitor, detection of air pollution emission source. Intl. J. Env. Heal. 1(1), 29–46 (2007)
Pilegaard, K.: Heavy metals in bilk Precipitation and transplanted Hypogymnia physodes and Dicranweisia cirrata in the vicinity of a Danish steelworks. Water, Air Soil Poll. 11, 77–91 (1979)
Seaward, M.R.D., Richardson, D.H.S.: Atmospheric sources of metal pollution and effect on vegetation. In: Shaw, A.J. (ed.) Heavy metal tolerance in plants: Evolutionary aspects, pp. 75–92. CRC, Boca Raton (1989)
Shukla, V., Upreti, D.K.: Heavy metal accumulation in Phaeophyscia hispidula en route to Badrinath, Uttaranchal, India. Env. Monit. Ass. 131, 365–369 (2007)
Upreti, D.K., Pandey, V.: Determination of heavy metals in lichens growing on different ecological habitats in Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica. Spectro. Let. 33(3), 435–444 (2000)
Ward, N.I.: Multielement contamination of British motorways environments. In: Vernet, J.P. (ed.) Heavy metals in the environment, proc. of the International conference Geneva, pp. 279–282. Edinburgh, UK (1989)
Zabludowska, E., Kowalsa, J., Jedynak, L., Wajas, S., Sklodowska, A., Antosiewicz, D.M.: Search for a plant for phytoremediation-what can we learn from field and hydrophonic studies. Chemo. 77, 301–307 (2009)
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to The Director, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (NBRI-CSIR), India for providing laboratory facilities. One of the authors (Dr. Rajesh Bajpai) acknowledges the C. S.I. R., New Delhi for awarding S.R.F.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bajpai, R., Upreti, D.K., Dwivedi, S.K. et al. Lichen as quantitative biomonitors of atmospheric heavy metals deposition in Central India. J Atmos Chem 63, 235–246 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-010-9166-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-010-9166-x