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Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS

Saxena, Anuj [1].

Regional bio-monitoring of atmospheric precipitation of metals by moss Sphagnum on Kumaon hills, India.

At regional level, biomonitoring of atmospheric precipitation using bryophytes was initiated in 1997. In this biomapping studies, moss Sphagnum squarrosum was used for regional monitoring and to prepare the map of intensity and trend of metal precipitation along the gradients, at first phase on the stations Almora, Nainital, Ranikhet and Mukteswar of Kumaon hills. This was the pioneer biomonitoirng programme at regional level in Indian scenario using bryophytes as test organism.
The study was planned in two phases. In first phase metal tolerant and hyper accumulator bryophyte species was screened and Sphagnum was recognized as suitable test organism for second phase i.e. for biomonitoring studies.
A very high site-specific variation (i.e. concentration gradient) in the metal concentration (specially Pb, Zn, Cu and Fe) was observed amongst all the monitoring sites of Kumaon hills. Maximum lead content was detected in the harvested transplants exposed at Dogaon, Jeolikot and Nainital, however, its trend was not uniform. Periodic surveys from 1997 and onwards up to 2001, revealed that the concentration of lead have increasing trend up to 2000 in a non linear proportion and decreased in 2001.
Higher Pb, Ni and Cr content was observed in the harvested moss, transplanted at urban sites of Almora and Ranikhet and its concentration decreased at peripheral rural sites, while comparatively low lead content was detected in the transplants of Ranikhet. Cu and Zn followed the reversible trend, while Fe did not followed any of the above distribution pattern.
Air quality maps in terms of Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Fe concentration of various sites, along the gradients from 1997-2001, was prepared with the help of data obtained by AAS analysis of harvested transplants.


1 - Sacred Heart Degree College, Department of Botany, Sitapur, UP, 261001, India

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Paper
Session: 51-4
Location: Magpie (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2004
Time: 1:45 PM
Abstract ID:883


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