Peat and bog plants as indicators of aerosol pollution

Abstract

The paper assesses the impact of aerosol pollution on the accumulation of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in plants and peat bogs. In pristine and contaminated areas, the following were compared: 1) the absolute content of elements in plants and peat; 2) the coefficients of biological absorption; 3) the enrichment factors reflecting the ratio of the concentration of elements in peat/bedrock. The most stable indicator reflecting the effect of pollution is the enrichment factor, the value of which is significantly lower in the pristine areas.