Elemental composition of mosses from a remote [formula omitted] forest site in southern Chile

Abstract

Concentrations of elemental nutrients (e.g., Ca, Mg) and anthropogenic trace metals (e.g., Pb, Cu) were measured in terrestrial ( Acrocladium auriculatum ) and aquatic ( Vittia pachyloma ) mosses in southern Chile as part of a pilot project for integrated global baseline monitoring (United Nations Global Environmental Monitoring System). The study site was a forested ( Nothofagus pumilio ) watershed located in Torres del Paine National Park and was expected to be relatively free of airborne pollutants due to its remote location in the southern hemisphere. Elemental and trace metal concentrations plus two enrichment indices supported this hypothesis. For example, concentrations of K and P in terrestrial mosses were enriched to support metabolic needs, while concentrations of trace metals like Pb (0.8 μg/g and Cu (4.6 μg/g) were lower than any reported in the published literature; enrichment factors for Pb and Cu also indicated a lack of atmospheric pollution. In addition, Pb and Cu concentrations in aquatic mosses (7.7 and 8.2 μg/g, respectively) were low compared to other published studies. However, Zn levels in aquatic mosses were somewhat high but most likely were due to local mineralogy rather than anthropogenic impacts. Overall, moss data support the use of the park as an excellent site for integrated global baseline monitoring.