Abstract
The assessment of heavy metals pollution using Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. as an indicator species was performed for
forests from Bucharest metropolitan area. This study aims to provide original data concerning environmental quality in relation to
the intensity of car traffic. Metal concentrations in Xanthoria parietina measured in sites adjacent to roads were compared with
those measured at a distance from traffic. The results show significant correlations between the Cd and Cr concentrations and the
distance from Bucharest. The Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn concentrations are insignificant correlated with the number of vehicles. Within
the studied area, decreasing heavy metal concentration in Xanthoria parietina on sampled trees is clearly associated with
increasing distance from the nearest roads. It was found that Pb and Zn concentrations are higher especially in the Pustnicul and
Bolintin-Deal forests indicating that values of Pb and Zn concentrations in Xanthoria parietina could be used as indicators of
environmental pollution for Pustnicul and Bolintin Deal forests.