Biomonitoring of Element Deposition Using Mosses in the 2000 French Survey: Identifying Sources and Spatial Trends

In the year 2000, the elemental composition of mosses collected from 528 French sites has been studied as part of the 2000 European Moss Survey. Five moss species were collected: Scleropodium purum (56%), Pleurozium schreberi (18%), Hypnum cupressiforme (18%), Thuidium tamariscinum (4.5%.) and Hylocomium splendens (3.5%). Mosses were kept whole for analysis, including green and brownish parts. Summary statistics on element concentrations (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr, V and Zn), and comparisons made with data from the other 27 participating European countries are shown here. The sources of these elements are identified using calculations of enrichment factors (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA). Finally, the spatial distribution in France of 10 elements is also shown, using maps underscoring areas showing highest concentration levels for each metal.     

Pleurozium schreberi as bioindicator of mercury pollution in heavily industrialized region

This research is continuation of the investigation of metal accumulation in native and transplanted moss Pleurozium schreberi in the most industrialized and affected region in Poland (Upper Silesia). We tested the hypotheses that in Upper Silesia transplants of P. schreberi may be used in a 90 days bioindication experiment in case native specimens are absent; a 90 days exposure of transplanted P. schreberi was long enough for evaluation of Hg pollution of the environment. An assay was carried out with native mosses at 27 polluted sites and mosses from an uncontaminated control site transplanted to the same 27 polluted sites. P. schreberi collected from the same sites as classified for more and less polluted basing on Pb and Zn concentrations show quite different pattern of pollution with mercury; The accumulation of Hg by the transplants increased much faster in the first 45 days of the experiment (accumulation factor 1.5–6.7; mean 3.4?±?0.5) in comparison with the second period from day 45 to 90 (accumulation factor 1.0–1.6; mean 1.2?±?0.1). The 90 days exposure of transplanted P. schreberi was long enough for evaluation of Hg pollution of the environment. Transplants of P. schreberi may be used in a 90 days bioindication experiment in case native specimens are absent.     

Field and Laboratory Exposures of Two Moss Species to Low Level Metal Pollution

Moss transplants of the species Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Pleurozium schreberi were used as active biomonitoring organisms as a part of a monitoring study to assess the impact of metals associated with ambient particles on mosses at roadsides.The moss samples were exposed at a semi-urban and roadside site for 3 months for subsequent analysis of metal concentration (Cu, Pb and Zn). This field experiment was carried out to investigate the accumulation of the metals over a period of 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks at the two sites. The metal concentration in the moss samples generally increased with the length of exposure and was higher at the roadside site. The two species, however, showed slightly different accumulation patterns. In addition to the metal analysis chlorophyll concentrations were analysed as a measure of stress response in the moss samples of the above mentioned field exposures. The chlorophyll concentrations of exposed mosses showed no or only weak correlations to the concentration of the three metals measured in the moss, which suggests that other conditions have a greater influence on the chlorophyll concentration.The effect of a single metal on the moss was studied in laboratory experiments exposing R. squarrosus to the metals copper, lead and zinc at concentrations based on the above field data. At the concentrations used there was a significant reduction in the chlorophyll a concentration after exposure to copper.     

Monitoring of Air Pollution in Latvia Between 1990 and 2000 Using Moss

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, V, Zn) in feather moss were estimated in national surveys in Latvia in 1990, 1995 and 2000. Hylocomium splendens was used as a biomonitor in 1990 and Pleurozium schreberi in the latter two years. Maps of the distributions of the metals in Latvia have been produced. The paper discusses the reasons underlying the distributions and also the temporal trends during the last ten years.     

Trace Metals in Mosses in the Estonian Oil Shale Processing Region

Electric energy production and most heavy industry in Estonia are concentrated in the north-eastern part of the country. Thermoelectric power plants (total maximal capacity over 3 GW), cement and chemical industries are fueled by Kukersite oil shale, mined nearby. The mineral part of oil shale is rich in trace metals that can accumulate in the local ecosystem. Samples of epigeic mosses Pleurozium schreberi and Hylocomium splendens were taken in 1992, 1997 and 2002 from sites 1 km to 30 km from the main air pollution sources and analysed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. For background data collection, analogous measurements within the national monitoring programme were used. Raster maps of concentrations were generated from the measurements, using the Kriging algorithm. These maps were compared with the model-estimated (AEROPOL model) maps of fly ash and cement dust deposit from the past. The concentration of trace metals in mosses is highly (Cr, Fe, Ni, V) or moderately (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) affected by the airborne emissions of the oil shale industry. During the past decade the uptake of the first group of elements in the industrial zone has decreased 3–4 times in proportion to emissions.     

Biological and Temporal Variations of Trace Element Concentrations in the Moss Species Scleropodium purum (Hedw.) Limpr.

Over a period of one year, the moss Scleropodium purum was sampled every two weeks in a French rural area to determine the levels of Li, Na, Al, Si, P, Ca, V, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ba, Hg, and Pb. The element distribution in the moss shoot was studied throughout the year. An apical bioconcentration was discovered for Na, P, Ca, Mn, and Zn, whereas higher levels were found in the basal fraction for Li, Al, Si, V, Fe, Ba, Hg, and Pb. A significant variation of element concentrations was observed during the sampling period. In the apical part Li, Al, Si, V, Fe, Ba, and Hg show maximum levels in the summer and minimum in the autumn. The same pattern was found with Ca and Mn in the whole plant, whereas Na showed opposite fluctuations.     

Biomonitoring of Trace Metals by Different species of Lichens (Parmelia) in North-West Italy

The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were measured in four different species of lichens (Parmelia caperata, P. pastillifera, P. saxatilis, P. sulcata) sampled in North-West Italy, in order to obtain maps showing metal distribution and the degree of deviation from background (natural) conditions. Significant differences among the species were found for Zn, Mn, Pb and V, suggesting that the combined use of mixed species in biomonitoring surveys can affect the interpretation of results. Results obtained for Parmelia caperata samples have been compared with background (natural) levels, and maps showing the distribution of each metal expressed as deviation from background levels have been obtained. Overall such maps show a medium to high alteration degree in the study area.     

Spatial trends in heavy metals and nitrogen deposition in Navarra (Northern Spain) based on moss analysis

A biomonitoring survey using the moss species Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. was performed in the North of Navarra (Spain) in 2006. The levels of V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, Cd, Hg and Pb, and the total nitrogen content were determined in the samples by means of ICP-MS, CV-AA, and the Kjeldahl method. PCA analysis showed a differentiation between lithogenic (V, Cr, Mn, Ni, As and Zr) and anthropogenic elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb). Spatial distribution maps were drawn using the kriging method, in order to identify the most affected areas and the main pollution sources. A similar spatial distribution was observed for the elements belonging to each group separated by the PCA, showing an important contribution from metal industries located in the Basque Country, as well as influence of long-range transboundary pollution processes. Background levels were also determined for the study area, along with the contamination factor for the different elements analysed. Mosses seemed to be good biomonitors of N deposition in areas of accumulation.     

Atmospheric Deposition of Trace Elements in Romania Studied by the Moss Biomonitoring Technique

The first systematic study in Romania of atmospheric pollution from heavy metals and other toxic elements based on moss analysis was undertaken as a Romanian–Russian–Norwegian collaboration, primarily in order to assess the general state of heavy metal pollution in Romania. An additional goal was to contribute to the European heavy metals in mosses survey, conducted under the auspices UNECE ICP Vegetation which reports to the Working Group of Effects of the Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution Convention. Samples of the moss species Hypnum cupressiforme, Hylocomium splendens and Brachytechium salebrosum and B. rutabulum were collected during the period 1995–2001. A total of 40 elements were determined using NAA and AAS. The total concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, nickel, vanadium and zinc are presented in the form of contour maps. Generally, the observed concentrations in Romania are markedly higher than those observed in most other countries of Europe using the moss technique.     

Changes in Element Concentrations in Moss Segments After Cross-Transplanting Between a Polluted and Non-Polluted Site

To test the ability of Hylocomium splendens segments to retain absorbed heavy metals (Fe, V and Pb) and some physiological elements (Ca, Mg and K) over a period of some years, moss turf was cross-transplanted between polluted and background sites. Thereby it was possible to determine how quickly the concentrations in moss can reach chemical equilibrium with the atmospheric inputs. At a particular site (background or polluted), the physiological elements in transplanted material quickly reached the levels in the non-transplanted moss. For the heavy metals, the concentrations remained stable over 3 years in moss cross-transplanted from a polluted to a background site. There appeared to be inherent differences between moss at the background and polluted sites in the ability to absorb and accumulate heavy metals.     

Polyamine Production in Lichens Under Metal Pollution Stress

In the present study, thalli of the lichen species Pseudevernia furfuracea Zopf. and Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. transplanted around an oil-fired power station. Following an exposure of 4 months, trace element concentrations (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) and polyamine (PA) content [putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm)] of thalli were measured to study the polyamines production in lichens under metal pollution stress. The polyamine production was not significantly different for the two species but two types of statistically significant relationships were revealed between polyamines production and metals concentration in lichen thalli: a positive linear relationship for the pairs total PAs–Cd (P. furfuracea), total PAs–Cu (E. prunastri), Put–Pb (E. prunastri), Spm–Pb (E. prunastri) and a second-order polynomial relationship for the pairs Put–Cd (P. furfuracea), Spm–Cr (E. prunastri) and total PAs–V (E. prunastri). A possible involvement of polyamines in metal pollution stress response of lichens is discussed.     

Determination of the optimal size of area to be sampled by use of the moss biomonitoring technique

The aim of the present study was to determine the optimal size of the sampling area that should be used in the moss biomonitoring technique, in relation to the spatial variation in the concentrations of contaminants determined in samples collected within short distances (<30 m). For this, the spatial structure in the concentrations of various metals and metalloids was explored by use of semivariograms calculated by use of a robust estimator of the variance. In each of the 3 sampling sites considered in the study (one sampled on two occasions), 50 samples of the moss Pseudoscleropodium purum were collected and the tissue concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, K, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn were determined. The results obtained show that in most cases (25 out of 32), there was no spatial structure in the concentrations of the elements and that the semivariograms were subject to the nugget effect. For those elements for which spatial independence or a linear spatial structure was observed, the size of the sampling area did not affect the results, and the dimensions were irrelevant within the range studied. The existence of spatial structure, which can be fitted to a spherical model, enabled a range of autocorrelation to be defined, which corresponded to an area of diameter >16 m. The proposed method must be applied to other species and in other regions, in order to standardize the size of the sampling sites in the moss biomonitoring technique.     

Effect of growth on active biomonitoring with terrestrial mosses

The effects of growth of autoirrigated, shaded transplants of Pseudoscleropodium purum on the quantification of tissue concentrations of Cd, Cu, Hg, V and Zn, were investigated in 4 exposure periods, each of 56 days, at 7 sampling sites (contaminated and uncontaminated). Concentrations of the elements in the basal portions of the moss shoots were compared with the concentrations in the portions of the shoots that grew during the exposure period. Mercury and V were present at lower concentrations in the new portions of the shoots than in the basal portions, whereas the opposite was true for Cd, Cu and Zn. The magnitude of error introduced by growth was not negligible, and in some cases was higher than 40%, relative to the results obtained by analysis of the whole shoot. Devitalization of moss prior to its use as transplant material is recommended to avoid growth of the plant during the exposure period.     

环球海洋大气气溶胶化学研究 III：金属形态和入海通量

中国第三次南极考察和环球科学考察，历经北太平洋、南太平洋、南极半岛海域、南大西洋、北印度洋、以及沿途近岸海域，共收集58个气溶胶样品，采用石墨炉原子吸收法分析其中的水可溶态和酸可溶态的Mn、Fe、Pb、Cu、Cd。气溶胶中金属表现明显陆源向大洋输送的浓度梯度，近岸海域上空金属含量大于大洋上空含量，北太平洋上空含量高于南太平洋和南极半岛海域。气溶胶中金属的水可溶程度，在近岸海域上空依次为Cd＞Mn＞Cu＞Fe＞Pb，百分比分量分别为39%，36%， 23%，14%和5.3%；在大洋上空依次为Cd＞Mn＞Fe＞Cu＞pb，百分比分量分别为62%，44%，11%，3.1%和2.5%。本文还计算和比较各观测海区上空金属从大气输入海水的通量。     

Could Ornamental Plants Serve as Passive Biomonitors in Urban Areas?

A search for cheap and efficient method to monitor atmospheric particulates in city centres has raised new interest to measure foliar element concentrations after the role of particulate pollution for respiratory illnesses was discovered. Leaf samples of Golden dewdrop (Duranta repens L.) collected in Palermo (South of Italy) between 1998 and 2000 were analysed to study the possible use of this shrub as a passive biomonitor for atmospheric pollution in urban areas. Concentrations of Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb and Zn were determined from leaf samples collected from six sampling sites representing either (a) areas of high traffic density or (b) areas not directly affected by the city traffic (e.g. gardens). Most of the elements showed a significant temporal variation but no consistent trends could be seen, i.e. the highest (or lowest) values were not detected consistently at some particular time of the year. Furthermore temporal changes were of same magnitude in polluted versus less polluted areas; no statistically significant interaction between pollution level and collection period was detected. Pollution level (traffic density) was the primary factor to explain spatial variation only in the case of foliar Mg concentrations. On the other hand, variation in foliar concentrations between sampling sites (irrespective of the pollution level) was large. Our results suggest that particulate deposition needs to be quite high before spatial segregation can be done on the basis of foliar element concentrations.     

Calibration of Four Species of Tillandsia as Air Pollution Biomonitors

Many organisms have been used as bioindicators of atmospheric contamination, with moss and lichen species being the most common. However, studies using epiphytic vascular species of Tillandsia have shown a good correlation between the presence of pollutants and the bioindicator's response. Therefore, the aim of our investigation was to calibrate and compare the response of four Tillandsia species of Argentina to ascertain whether they could be used as atmospheric contamination biomonitors. For this, we analysed the correlation between the levels of heavy metals in total atmospheric deposition samples and: a) their rate of enrichment; b) the physiological response of the plant samples. Tillandsia samples collected from a non contaminated area in the province of Córdoba were transplanted to four areas in the capital city with different sources of pollution (industrial or traffic emissions). They were exposed for a period of 3 to 6 months after which the concentrations of Pb, Ni, Fe, Zn, Cu and S as well as the physiological parameters of foliar damage were determined. Simultaneously samples of total atmospheric deposition were also taken.The highest level of metal enrichment was found in T. capillaris followed by T. tricholepis, T. permutata and T. retorta. Also, the use of a foliar damage index proved to be effective and could be a useful tool to evaluate different levels of atmospheric quality in these species. The rate of heavy metal deposition was higher in the industrial area for all metals except for Zn whose values were higher in areas with high levels of traffic.     

Current Atmospheric Deposition Loads and Their Trends in the Czech Republic Determined by Mapping the Distribution of Moss Element Contents

Biomonitoring of atmospheric deposition loads of 13, 14 and 35 elements and their compounds through moss analysis was carried out in the Czech Republic (CZ) in 1991, 1995 and 2000, respectively. The last biomonitoring campaign revealed very high contents of typical soil elements and lanthanides in southern Moravia. The variations in current element contents in moss, which can be explained by the action of six factors, were correlated with altitude, with total biennial precipitation, and with the bedrock types in the sampling plots. The element contents in moss samples repeatedly collected from the identical plots showed a steady decrease in atmospheric deposition loads in the CZ in the last decade of the 20th century. The main reasons for this phenomenon are listed. The results of cluster analyses and PCAs have found no substantial changes in the qualitative element composition of atmospheric deposition in CZ in recent years. Isoline maps are presented, which document changes in the distribution of Cd, Pb and S contents in moss in 1995 and 2000. An estimate of absolute deposition loads (g m^–2 year^–1) for given areas of the CZ can be made, using the list of bulk deposition indices.     

Sorption Characteristics of Inorganic, Methyl and Elemental Mercury on Lichens and Mosses: Implication in Biogeochemical Cycling of Mercury

The sorption studies of Hg²⁺, CH₃Hg⁺ and elemental mercury (Hg⁰) were carried out on lichen (Parmelia sulcata) and moss (Funaria hygrometrica) samples under laboratory conditions. Desorption studies with HCl indicate that inorganic mercury (Hg⁺²) and methyl mercury could be completely desorbed with 1 M HCl and 0.5 M HCl, respectively. Samples loaded with elemental mercury, however, needed 4–5 M HCl concentration for complete desorption of the adsorbed elemental mercury. When similar desorption studies were carried out with field samples collected around a thermometer factory with elevated levels of mercury (8 mg/kg), it was found that only about 10–15% of total mercury was desorbed with 1M HCl, while 4–5 M acid was required for complete desorption. We have tried to correlate this information to understand the transformations of mercury species that may occur either in the atmosphere or on the biomonitors. The results indicated that the elemental mercury, the principal form of mercury contamination around the thermometer factory, is converted into a strongly held form by some chemical binding agents on the surface of lichen/moss, or elemental mercury could diffuse into the cells of the lichen/moss, which then needs the stronger acid to release it. Sorption capacity studies suggest that the lichens and mosses can also be used as sorbent material for the decontamination of inorganic and methyl mercury from aqueous solutions.     

Concentrations of metallic elements in long-range-transported aerosols measured simultaneously at three coastal sites in China and Japan

To determine the effects of long-range transport of aerosols from an upwind area in East Asia to a downwind area in Japan, we chemically analyzed aerosols collected simultaneously on Tuoji Island (Shandong Province, China), Fukue Island (Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan), and Cape Hedo (Okinawa Prefecture, Japan). We focused on changes in the metallic composition of PM_2.5 aerosols during long-range transport. The average mass concentrations of PM_2.5 at the three sites decreased in the order Tuoji Island > Fukue Island ≈ Cape Hedo (48.3 ± 4.5, 13.9 ± 1.5, and 13.2 ± 0.9 μg/m³, respectively). The fraction of coarse particles in total suspended particles estimated by (1–PM_2.5/TSP) was highest on Cape Hedo, indicating that the contribution of sea salts was increased by long-range transport of the aerosols over the ocean. Enrichment factor analysis revealed that at all three sites, Al, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, and Ba originated from soil; whereas Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Tl, and P appeared to be of anthropogenic origin. Na was the most abundant element on Cape Hedo, indicating the addition of sea salts during aerosol transport. The V concentration was highest at Fukue Island, which was ascribed to V emission from ships. Sixty-one percent of the V on Fukue Island and 62% of the V on Cape Hedo were determined to have originated from ships, implicating of data obtained on dates during which backward trajectory analysis indicated that the same air mass passed over Tuoji Island, Fukue Island, and Cape Hedo in that order.     

Heavy metals in aerosol samples from the Eastern Pamirs collected 2004–2006

This study measured the concentration of heavy metal elements in atmospheric aerosol samples collected between July 2004 and April 2006 at a remote site on Mt. Muztagata (38°17'N, 75°01'E, 4430 m), in the Eastern Pamirs. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP–MS) results show that the air at Muztagata contains low concentrations of As and heavy metal elements (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Bi), comparable with those in the Arctic — far lower than in heavily populated or industrialized areas. Observed enrichment factor (EF) values greater than 10 for those elements suggest partly anthropogenic sources. Seasonal variations in the concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb, Bi, and As resemble those of crustal Al, with greater concentrations during the summer but lower ones in winter. Our results reveal that the background atmosphere in remote inner Asia is only weakly affected by anthropogenic pollution, and demonstrate that high heavy metal concentrations occur during summer but with greater EF values during the winter. The air mass back-trajectory analyses suggest that pollution from West Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia are the main possible source areas that contribute to the heavy metals in aerosols at Muztagata.