Active Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Metal Deposition by Bryum Species Around Almora, Nainital and Pithoragarh of Kumaon Hills, India

摘要

Biomonitoring is a method of observing the impact of external factors on organismsand their development over a long period. The level of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb has beendetermined in samples of the moss Bryum cellulare from the area of Almora, Nainitaland Pithoragarh of Kumaon hills. A gradient was observed in metal load whileprojecting from forests to urban areas. Maximum metals were observed in locationsproximate to higher traffic density areas, which integrated due to enhanced tourismduring summer, followed by winter and monsoon season. In rural areas high valueof Zn, Cu and Cd attributes to their use in fertilizers. Positive significant correlationswere obtained between Pb-Zn and Zn-Cu suggesting a common origin of thesemetals. Interseasonal variability in metal deposition pattern shows that summerhad maximum metal load followed by winter and rainy season.