The capability of lichens to accumulate different airborne chemical elements, including heavy metals, is aThe major objective of the present study was to identify the reladistinctive feature documented by James (1973), Nietionship of physiologial parameters of the photosynthetic system with the elemental content of the lichen Ramalina lacera (With.) J.R. boer et al. (1978), Richardson (1992), Garty (1993), Laund. Thalli of R. lacera were collected in an unpolluted site and Jacquiot andDaillant (1997). whole. Correlations of Cr and Ni, Cu and Ni, Zn and Cu, Cu and Mn, andThe present study investigated the effect of anthropoZn and Ni could be related to metal processing in the industrial area genic activity on air quality in selected sites in northwest but indicate also vehicular activity as a possible originator.