title: Physiological attributes of lichen, Phaeophyscia hispidula in heavy metal rich sites of Dehra Dun, India.
abstract: Phaeophyscia hispidula (Ach.) Moberg, foliose lichen is widespread in Garhwal Himalayas and grows luxuriantly on different substratum in polluted as well as non polluted sites, where no other macrolichens are able to colonize. The elemental concentration and biochemical parameters in P. hispidula collected from Dehra Dun city were analyzed to assess its tolerance to heavy metals. The major source of pollution in the city is automobiles. Among the biochemical parameters protein was significantly and negatively correlated with pigment concentrations (r = -0.3838 (Chl.b); -0.5809 (Carotenoid); -0.5034 (OD)) however it is significantly positively correlated with Cd (r = 0.6822: P < 0.01). Among heavy metals, Cd was negatively correlated with Cu (r = -0.4639), Fe (r = -0.2676), and Zn (r = -0.0549). It was observed that the chlorophyll and protein content increased parallel to the level of metallic pollutants indicating the mechanism of stress tolerance in P. hispidula. The study shows that P. hispidula is tolerant to inorganic pollution and a useful tool for biomonitoring of air quality in the Himalayan region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Raebareli Road, Lucknow-226 025, India.
authors.forename: Vertika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Upreti
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000737:chemistry; D007194:India; D008011:Lichens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002734:Chlorophyll