Abstract
The Arctic is a sink for major pollutants in the Northern Hemisphere, and is an ideal place to investigate the migration of concerned metals on the local environment. In this study, 13 elements including Li, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were determined in mosses (Dicranum angustum) from London Island in Ny-Ålesund. The results showed that the concentrations of different elements varied greatly at different altitudes, while their distributions in low (0–200 m) and high (200–300 m) altitudes based on cluster analysis were significantly different. Among them, Li, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and As showed significant positive correlations with elevation. This result may be due to the influence of key environmental factors such as elements transported by the airborne dust carried by winds, and surface runoff from snow meltwater. Multiple receptor models (PCA, PMF, and UNMIX) were employed to discuss the sources of metals in mosses from London Island. Elements that showed positive correlation with altitude were attributed to natural sources, and Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb, which lacked apparent correlation with elevation, were interpreted as from anthropogenic sources by the models. Among them, Zn, Cd, and Hg were from long-range deposition, while Pb was from mixed industrial sources.
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.
