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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potentially toxic elements in transplanted lichen Pyxine cocoes as indicator of air pollution in Lucknow City, India.

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Title: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potentially toxic elements in transplanted lichen Pyxine cocoes as indicator of air pollution in Lucknow City, India.
Authors: Kumari, Kirti1,2 (AUTHOR), Kumar, Varun2,3 (AUTHOR), Nayaka, Sanjeeva2,3 (AUTHOR) nayaka.sanjeeva@gmail.com, Kumari, Babita2 (AUTHOR), Saxena, Gauri1 (AUTHOR), Sanyal, Indraneel2,3 (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Phytoremediation. 2026, Vol. 28 Issue 7, p1422-1435. 14p.
Subjects: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Bioindicators, Cities & towns, Lichens, Automobile emissions, Air pollution, Heavy metals
Geographic Terms: Lucknow (India), India
Abstract: Air pollution has emerged as a serious global issue driven by rapid urbanization and industrialization. This study aims to evaluate the air quality of Lucknow, a fast-growing city in North India, using lichen Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl. Lichen specimens collected from the relatively unpolluted area of Malihabad were transplanted for 30 days at 10 sites in Lucknow City with varying traffic volumes. The concentrations of potentially toxic elements (Fe, Al, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, and Cd) were determined using an ICP-MS, while PAHs were examined through HPLC. Additionally, the physiological status of the lichen specimen was assessed by analyzing chlorophyll content, chlorophyll degradation, and photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm). A total of 15 PAHs were detected in the transplanted lichens with molecular weights varying from 0.006–6.265 μg g−1 (low), 0.001–17.027 μg g−1 (medium), and 3.957–20.862 μg g−1 (high). In contrast, significantly increased amounts of potentially toxic elements such as iron (4.42–5.38 μg L−1), aluminum (3.52–4.38 μg L−1), manganese (99.42–136.35 μg g−1), and zinc (77.67–83.82 μg g−1) were detected in sites Alambagh Chauraha, IT crossing and Polytechnic Chauraha. In all the specimens, chlorophyll a (5.17 μg L−1), chlorophyll b (2.21 μg L−1), and total chlorophyll (7.38 μg L−1) were significantly decreased and degraded (0.53 μg g−1). The results once again demonstrate that transplanted P. cocoes as a sensitive and reliable bioindicator of PAHs and potentially toxic elements induced air pollution in Lucknow City. NOVELTY STATEMENT: The increases in heavy metal concentrations in Pyxine cocoes were found at high traffic sites, with notable levels of Fe, Al, Mg, and Zn detected. In the transplanted Pyxine cocoes, a total of 15 PAHs were found, with different concentrations at different transplanted sites. The accumulation of air pollutants in Pyxine cocoes is mainly attributed to vehicular pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:Air pollution has emerged as a serious global issue driven by rapid urbanization and industrialization. This study aims to evaluate the air quality of Lucknow, a fast-growing city in North India, using lichen Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl. Lichen specimens collected from the relatively unpolluted area of Malihabad were transplanted for 30 days at 10 sites in Lucknow City with varying traffic volumes. The concentrations of potentially toxic elements (Fe, Al, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, and Cd) were determined using an ICP-MS, while PAHs were examined through HPLC. Additionally, the physiological status of the lichen specimen was assessed by analyzing chlorophyll content, chlorophyll degradation, and photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm). A total of 15 PAHs were detected in the transplanted lichens with molecular weights varying from 0.006–6.265 μg g−1 (low), 0.001–17.027 μg g−1 (medium), and 3.957–20.862 μg g−1 (high). In contrast, significantly increased amounts of potentially toxic elements such as iron (4.42–5.38 μg L−1), aluminum (3.52–4.38 μg L−1), manganese (99.42–136.35 μg g−1), and zinc (77.67–83.82 μg g−1) were detected in sites Alambagh Chauraha, IT crossing and Polytechnic Chauraha. In all the specimens, chlorophyll a (5.17 μg L−1), chlorophyll b (2.21 μg L−1), and total chlorophyll (7.38 μg L−1) were significantly decreased and degraded (0.53 μg g−1). The results once again demonstrate that transplanted P. cocoes as a sensitive and reliable bioindicator of PAHs and potentially toxic elements induced air pollution in Lucknow City. NOVELTY STATEMENT: The increases in heavy metal concentrations in Pyxine cocoes were found at high traffic sites, with notable levels of Fe, Al, Mg, and Zn detected. In the transplanted Pyxine cocoes, a total of 15 PAHs were found, with different concentrations at different transplanted sites. The accumulation of air pollutants in Pyxine cocoes is mainly attributed to vehicular pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:15226514
DOI:10.1080/15226514.2026.2613444