Heavy metal accumulation in Phaeophyscia hispidula en route to Badrinath, Uttaranchal, India.

Phaeophyscia hispidula, a common foliose lichen, growing in its natural habitat, was analysed for the concentration of six heavy metals (Fe, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb) from five different sites of Pauri city, Garhwal Himalayas, Uttaranchal, India. The concentration of metals is correlated with the vehicular activity and urbanization. The total metal concentration is highest at Circuit House on Pauri-Devprayag Road, followed by Malli on Pauri-Srinagar Road, which experience heavy traffic throughout the year. Kiyonkaleshwar area, having less vehicular activity, had minimum accumulation of metal. The statistical parameter, coefficient of variation %, showed higher CV% for Fe and Cr but lower for Cu and Ni. The concentration of most of the metals at different sites were statistically significant (0.01 level) from their concentrations at control site. There was high spatial variability in the total metal concentrations, at different sites, that ranged from 5,087.1 to 11,500.44 microg/g, with an average concentration of 8,220.966 +/- 2,991.467 (SD).