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

Biomonitoring is a method of observing the impact of external factors on organisms and their development over a long period. The level of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb has been determined in samples of the moss Bryum cellulare from the area of Almora, Nainital and Pithoragarh of Kumaon hills. A gradient was observed in metal load while projecting from forests to urban areas. Maximum metals were observed in locations proximate to higher traffic density areas, which integrated due to enhanced tourism during summer, followed by winter and monsoon season. In rural areas high value of Zn, Cu and Cd attributes to their use in fertilizers. Positive significant correlations were obtained between Pb-Zn and Zn-Cu suggesting a common origin of these metals. Interseasonal variability in metal deposition pattern shows that summer had maximum metal load followed by winter and rainy season.