Lichenology Laboratory, Plant Diversity Systematics and Herbarium Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2013 Aug;20(8):5577-92. doi: 10.1007/s11356-013-1583-3. Epub 2013 Feb 26.
The present study aims to assess the level and possible sources of organic and inorganic pollutants in Mahableshwar city in Western part of India and their effect on naturally growing foliose lichen Remototrachyana awasthii (Hale & Patw.) Divakar & A. Crespo. This lichen species growing abundantly in the area was collected from eight different sites on the basis of anthropogenic activities detected in the area. The concentration of inorganic heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb, Mn, and Zn) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed and correlated with photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, Chl b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid) together with chlorophyll degradation and protein contents. The concentration of most of the metals at different sites was significantly greater than at the control site (P<0.001). The highest metal content was found at Bus Stand and Panchgani, a tourist place that experiences heavy traffic activities. The concentration of PAHs, particularly of two-and three-ringed PAHs, was also found to be the highest in samples collected at Bus Stand area. The chlorophyll degradation and protein content were found to be the most sensitive parameters to assess the vitality of lichen thallus against wide range of air pollutants. The effectiveness of R. awasthii as a biomonitor will be investigated in the near future by comparing this species with other biomonitors.
本研究旨在评估印度西部马哈拉施特拉邦城市的有机和无机污染物的水平及其可能来源，并评估其对大量生长于该地区的地衣 Remototrachyana awasthii（Hale & Patw.）Divakar & A. Crespo 的影响。该地衣物种根据该地区检测到的人为活动，从八个不同地点采集。分析了无机重金属（Al、As、Cd、Cr、Fe、Pb、Mn 和 Zn）和多环芳烃（PAHs）的浓度，并与光合色素（Chl a、Chl b、总叶绿素和类胡萝卜素）以及叶绿素降解和蛋白质含量进行了相关性分析。不同地点的大多数金属浓度明显高于对照点（P<0.001）。在巴士站和潘奇甘尼（一个交通繁忙的旅游胜地）发现的金属含量最高。在巴士站地区采集的样本中，也发现了二聚体和三聚体 PAHs 的浓度最高。叶绿素降解和蛋白质含量被认为是评估地衣叶状体对广泛空气污染物活力的最敏感参数。未来将通过将该物种与其他生物监测器进行比较，来研究 R. awasthii 作为生物监测器的有效性。
