The atmospheric concentrations of 17 trace elements (Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Ti and Zn) were measured by means of the "lichen-bag" technique in the Agri Valley (southern Italy). The lichen samples were collected from an unpolluted site located in Rifreddo forest (southern Italy), about 30 km away from the study area along the north direction. The bags were exposed to ambient air for 6 and 12 months. The exposed-to-control (EC) ratio values highlighted that the used lichen species were suitable for biomonitoring investigations.

Several mechanisms are developed by the microorganisms to tolerate few high concentrations of heavy metals. One of these mechanisms dependent upon anabolic and catabolic energy of microorganisms is the bioaccumulation of heavy metals. In present work, approximately four varieties of bacteria have been isolated from the ash dyke sample of four thermal power plants of Chhattisgarh, i.e., Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO), Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board (CSEB), Korba, Thermal Power Cooperation (NTPC), Bilaspur and KSK Akaltara, Chattisgarh.

In this paper, an analysis of present scenario of coal in India has been made. In particular, energy requirements for the developing countries are met from coal-based thermal power plants. In India, about 75% coal output is consumed in power sector. In addition, other industries like cement, fertilizer, chemical, paper and thousands of medium and small scale industries are dependent on coal for their process and energy requirements. Since the country's dependency on coal is increasing, therefore it becomes mandatory for the government to seek better technologies for fulfilling its needs.