Quantifying the elemental composition of mosses in western Washington USA.

Abstract

Major and trace element deposition across western Washington, USA was assessed in 2016 and 2017 by analyzing tissue metal concentrations in the epiphytic mosses Isothecium stoloniferum (Bridel) and Kindbergia praelonga (Hedw.) Ochyra. We used an intensive, vertically stratified sampling approach in Acer macrophyllum canopies in the Hoh Rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula, WA and in Seattle, WA to collect 214 samples of I. stoloniferum. An extensive, ground-based sampling approach was used across an urban-to-wildland gradient to collect 59 K. praelonga samples. Intensive samples were collected four times (April, July, and October of 2016 and in January 2017) and extensive samples three times (April, July, and October 2016) to assess seasonal differences in metal concentrations across sampling locations. A total of 273 moss samples were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, and Zn concentrations. Elevated concentrations of these elements were found in moss samples from both intensive and extensive sampling efforts across all seasons. Sampling location for both intensive and extensive sampling efforts was found to be a significant factor in determining moss metal concentrations. Metal deposition in and around Seattle appears to be derived from the regional transportation sector and other industrial sources. Ten I. stoloniferum samples from Seattle and the Hoh Rainforest were analyzed for Pb and Sr isotope ratios to help differentiate between natural and industrial-based emission sources. Hoh Rainforest Pb isotopes appear to be explained by a mixture of long-range Asian Pb influences and natural Pb sources, whereas Seattle Pb isotopes appear driven by industrial and road dust sources.