2025, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part B
Effect of coal mining and oil refinery on lichen community and heavy metal accumulation in Lichen Thallus in North East India
Author(s): Pranita Hajong, Anubhab Thousen and Bhagyasri Borah
Abstract: The present study was carried out in coal mining area and oil refinery in Margherita and Digboi respectively located in Assam and coal mining area in Khilerariat and Sutnga located in Meghalaya. The study was focused on the effect of coal mining and oil refinery on lichen community and heavy metal accumulation in lichen thallus. The investigation revealed that highest number of lichen species was reported from Digboi with 10 species and lowest in Khilerariat with 4 species. The distribution pattern of lichen varied across the sites. In Margherita, the dominat species were Graphis scripta, Parmelia saxatilis and Parmelia sulcata. In Digboi the dominant species were Cryptothecia scripta, Cryptothecia striata and Phlyctis argena. In Sutnga Parmelia saxatilis and Parmelia sulcata were dominant. In Khilerariat Graphis scripta and Parmelia sulcata were dominant. The pH of lichen substrata was analysed and was observed that pH was acidic to slightly acidic in all the substrata of coal mining and oil refinery. The heavy metal accumulation in lichen thallus varies significantly across the two coal mining area and oil refinery. The accumulation of heavy metals like lead, Zinc, Cadmium, Copper and Nickel in lichen thallus were found maximums in coal mining area as compared to oil refinery. The Parmelia sulcata was observed to have the high cadmium and Nickel content. The lead content was high in Dirinaria purpurascens. The Zinc content was high in lichen Parmelia sulcata and copper content was high in Physcia caesia.
DOI: 10.22271/micro.2025.v6.i2b.245
Pages: 125-130 | Views: 139 | Downloads: 32
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How to cite this article:
Pranita Hajong, Anubhab Thousen, Bhagyasri Borah. Effect of coal mining and oil refinery on lichen community and heavy metal accumulation in Lichen Thallus in North East India. J Adv Microbiol Res 2025;6(2):125-130. DOI: 10.22271/micro.2025.v6.i2b.245
