Abstract
Biomonitoring was proposed to assess the condition of living organisms or entire ecosystems with the use of bioindicators—species sensitive to specific pollutants. It is important that the bioindicator species remains alive for as long as possible while retaining the ability to react to the negative effects of pollution (elimination/neutralization of hazardous contaminants). The purpose of the study was to assess the survival of Pleurozium schreberi moss during exposure (moss-bag technique) based on the measurement of the concentration of elements (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb), chlorophyll content, and its fluorescence. The study was carried out using a CCM-300 portable chlorophyll content meter, portable fluorometer, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. As a result of the laboratory tests, no significant differences were found in the chlorophyll content in the gametophytes of mosses tested immediately after collection from the forest, compared to those drying at room temperature in the laboratory (p = 0.175 for Student’s t-test results). Mosses exposed using the moss-bag technique of active biomonitoring were characterized by a drop in the chlorophyll content over 12 weeks (more than 50% and 60% for chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, respectively). Chlorophyll content in mosses during exposure was correlated with actual photochemical efficiency (yield) of photosystem II (calculated value of Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient was 0.94—there was a significant correlation between chlorophyll a and yield p = 0.02). The highest metal increases in mosses (RAF values) were observed for zinc, lead, and copper after the second and third month of exposure. The article demonstrates that the moss exposed in an urbanized area for a period of three months maintains the properties of good bioindicator of environmental quality.
Highlights
In biomonitoring with the use of moss to assess air pollution, two methods are distinguished [7]: one is passive biomonitoring that consists of the use of living organisms growing naturally on a given site [8]; the other is a method of active biomonitoring, where living organisms are transferred from their natural habitats and exposed to pollutants on the test site [9]
In P. schreberi, the average chlorophyll content in segments 7–10 is very similar (219–254 mg/m2 ), with the highest value recorded in segment 9 (465 mg/m2 )
Mosses were sampled from the higher segments (8–10), which, based on the Plants 2021, 10, 2389 above results, proved to be the best sites for local measurements of the chlorophyll content and actual yield of photosystem II
Summary
Bioindicators are indicator species that are used to assess environmental quality and changes occurring over time [1,2]. Mosses as bioindicators are often used in biomonitoring to assess air pollution by heavy metals [4]. It is necessary to bear in mind that biomonitoring uses living organisms, or parts thereof (tissues), in order to determine the conditions of the environment or the changes that have occurred in it under anthropopressure [5,6]. An additional advantage of biomonitoring is the low cost and uncomplicated method of obtaining samples, as well as the possibility of complementing/competing with equipment-based monitoring by providing data, using the reaction of indicator species to existing or laboratory environmental conditions [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
