ROHIT KUMAR AND S.N. PANDEY
Abstract
Lichen (Pyxine cocos) plants were transplanted at four sites of Lucknow city of high vehicular activities. One set of lichen was also transplanted in the area with negligible vehicular activities (L1). Lichen accumulated elevated level of trace metals observed after transplantation at all polluted sites in their tissues. Maximum tissue concentration of Fe (554 ?g g-¹dry weight ) was observed at 15 days after transplantation. The tissue accumulation of trace metals was found in the order Fe > Zn> Pb > Cu > Cr in lichen transplanted at different areas with high vehicles load in Lucknow. Least tissue concentration of trace metals was found in lichens transplanted in relatively uncontaminated area (L1). Study indicated elevated trace metal contents in ambient air possibly due to the high vehicular pollution in the Lucknow city, needs careful measures to control high vehicular activities.