Study on impact of heavy metal accumulation in Brachythecium populeum (Hedw.) B.S.G.

Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, western Himalaya, India is a popular tourist destination, selected for the comprehensive study on effects of heavy metals from vehicular exhaust which remain air borne for a long time, on the epiphytic moss Brachythecium populeum Hedw. (B.S.G.). Moss bags were transplanted in residential, heavy and low vehicular movement areas ascertain comparable levels of accumulation. The heavy metals Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn and related physiological parameters, viz., total chlorophyll, sugar, protein, catalase and peroxidase enzyme activities were analyzed. The impact of heavy metal accumulation on B. populeum shows that it may be utilized as a cost effective indicator/monitor for air quality assessment of any region.