Heavy Metal Concentrations In Mosses Research Articles

Doğu Karadeniz Bölgesi Sahil Otoyol Çevresindeki Karayosunlarında Trafik Kaynaklı Ağır Metal Analizleri

Bu çalışmanın amacı; Giresun-Samsun otoyol çevresindeki karayosunları kullanılarak Trafik kaynaklı ağır metal kirliliğini belirleyebilmektir. Karayosunları, ağır metalleri biriktirebilme yeteneğinden dolayı, ağır metal hava kirliliğinin belirlenmesinde oldukça uygun biyoindikatörlerdir. Türkiye’nin Doğu Karadeniz bölgesinde yer alan Giresun-Samsun otoyolu çevresindeki karayosunlarının ağır metal analizleri InductivelyCoupledPlasma–MassSpectrometer (ICP-MS) cihazı kullanılarak belirlendi. Karayosunlarının kalitatif analizleri neticesinde Cr, Fe, Mn, V, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb ve Co olduğu belirlendi. Şehir merkezlerinden toplanan karayosunlarındaki konsantrasyon değerleri sırasıyla 15.12, 6087.31, 301.12, 27.80, 74.20, 38.48, 56.69, 19.40 ve 9.10, mg/kg olarak belirlenirken, şehirler arasından toplanan karayosunlarının ağır metal konsantrasyonları ise 15.56, 4751.23, 247.93, 28.03, 83.71, 33.72, 48.38, 17.20 ve 6,97 kg/kg olarak belirlendi. Genelde karayosunlarında, Krom(Cr), Demir(Fe), Mangan(Mn), Vanadyum(V), Çinko(Zn), Bakır(Cu), Nikel(Ni), Kurşun(Pb) ve Kobalt(Co)’ınkonsantrasyonlarının 2006 ve 2017 yılları arasında azaldığı görüldü. Fakat bu azalmaya rağmen karayosunlarındaki ağır metal konsantrasyonları hala yüksektir.

Comparison of Exposure Techniques and Vitality Assessment of Mosses in Active Biomonitoring for Their Suitability in Assessing Heavy Metal Pollution in Atmospheric Aerosol.

The most widespread and used technique is the moss-bag method in active biomonitoring of air pollution using mosses. In the literature, we can find various studies on the standardization of this method, including attempts to standardize treatments and preparation procedures for their universal application. Few works comprehensively focus on other methods or compare other techniques used in active biomonitoring with mosses, especially including measurements of their vital parameters. Our experiment aimed to assess air pollution by selected heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn, Fe, and Hg) using three moss species (Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum fallax, and Dicranum polysetum) during a 12-week exposure in an urban area. Mosses were exposed simultaneously using four techniques: moss bag in three variants (exposed to air for total deposition of heavy metals, exposed to air for only dry deposition, and sheltered from the wind) and transplants in boxes. Increases in heavy metal concentrations in mosses were determined using the relative accumulation factor (RAF). The actual quantum yield of photosystem II photochemical was also analyzed as the main vitality parameter. The results indicate that all moss species during the changing environmental conditions survived and retained their vitality, although it decreased by >50% during the exposure. The best biomonitor was the moss P. schreberi, whose RAF increments were the highest throughout the study period for the majority of elements. The moss-bag technique had a statistically significant effect (almost 40%) on the concentration value of a given metal for a certain species, and thus it is the most recommended technique that can be applied in air quality monitoring in urban areas. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1429-1438. © 2022 SETAC.

Comparison of Wet and Microwave Sample Digestion Method for the FAAS and GFAAS Determination of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Moss and Lichen Samples

Comparison of Wet and Microwave Sample Digestion Method for the FAAS and GFAAS Determination of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Moss and Lichen Samples

Erratum to: Spatially valid data of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and nitrogen derived by moss surveys for pollution risk assessments of ecosystems.

For analysing element input into ecosystems and associated risks due to atmospheric deposition, element concentrations in moss provide complementary and time-integrated data at high spatial resolution every 5 years since 1990. The paper reviews (1) minimum sample sizes needed for reliable, statistical estimation of mean values at four different spatial scales (European and national level as well as landscape-specific level covering Europe and single countries); (2) trends of heavy metal (HM) and nitrogen (N) concentrations in moss in Europe (1990-2010); (3) correlations between concentrations of HM in moss and soil specimens collected across Norway (1990-2010); and (4) canopy drip-induced site-specific variation of N concentration in moss sampled in seven European countries (1990-2013). While the minimum sample sizes on the European and national level were achieved without exception, for some ecological land classes and elements, the coverage with sampling sites should be improved. The decline in emission and subsequent atmospheric deposition of HM across Europe has resulted in decreasing HM concentrations in moss between 1990 and 2010. In contrast, hardly any changes were observed for N in moss between 2005, when N was included into the survey for the first time, and 2010. In Norway, both, the moss and the soil survey data sets, were correlated, indicating a decrease of HM concentrations in moss and soil. At the site level, the average N deposition inside of forests was almost three times higher than the average N deposition outside of forests.

Spatially valid data of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and nitrogen derived by moss surveys for pollution risk assessments of ecosystems.

For analysing element input into ecosystems and associated risks due to atmospheric deposition, element concentrations in moss provide complementary and time-integrated data at high spatial resolution every 5years since 1990. The paper reviews (1) minimum sample sizes needed for reliable, statistical estimation of mean values at four different spatial scales (European and national level as well as landscape-specific level covering Europe and single countries); (2) trends of heavy metal (HM) and nitrogen (N) concentrations in moss in Europe (1990-2010); (3) correlations between concentrations of HM in moss and soil specimens collected across Norway (1990-2010); and (4) canopy drip-induced site-specific variation of N concentration in moss sampled in seven European countries (1990-2013). While the minimum sample sizes on the European and national level were achieved without exception, for some ecological land classes and elements, the coverage with sampling sites should be improved. The decline in emission and subsequent atmospheric deposition of HM across Europe has resulted in decreasing HM concentrations in moss between 1990 and 2010. In contrast, hardly any changes were observed for N in moss between 2005, when N was included into the survey for the first time, and 2010. In Norway, both, the moss and the soil survey data sets, were correlated, indicating a decrease of HM concentrations in moss and soil. At the site level, the average N deposition inside of forests was almost three times higher than the average N deposition outside of forests.

Monitoring Airborne Heavy Metal Using Mosses in the City of Xuzhou, China.

The concentrations of six elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were measured in moss (Haplocladium microphyllum) samples collected from 55 urban sites in the summer of 2013. The objectives were to evaluate variations in the heavy metal concentrations in mosses across Xuzhou, and to develop maps of metal pollution for this region. Despite great variations in the concentrations of the six heavy metals in the mosses, significant correlations among certain heavy metals were identified, suggesting that these pollutants likely originated from identical sources. With the exception of Cr, there was no significant correlation in metal concentration between the moss tissues and adhering soils. The highest concentration of Cr occurred in the west. However, the spatial distribution for the other metals generally showed higher concentrations in the northeast, likely due to greater contamination by industrial activities and higher traffic volume.

Multivariate association of regional factors with heavy metal concentrations in moss and natural surface soil sampled across Norway between 1990 and 2010

Assessing effects of air pollution needs the monitoring of atmospheric deposition. At least for enhancing the spatial resolution of measuring deposition by use of technical devices and of deposition modeling, mosses are used complementarily as biomonitors. In Norway, since 1985, nationwide surveys have been carried out every 5 years. This study aimed at investigating statistical relationships between heavy metal concentrations in samples of moss and natural surface soil, collected in spatial dense networks covering Norway, and regional factors. Heavy metal (HM) concentrations in moss samples collected in 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 and in natural surface soil specimens sampled in 1995 and 2005 across Norway were assessed statistically. Classification and regression trees were computed in order to uncover multivariate relationships between HM concentrations in moss and natural surface soil and potential influencing environmental factors that were integrated into the multivariate analyses. Atmospheric deposition of HM could be proved as the strongest predictor for HM concentrations in moss and natural surface soil samples. Land use within a 5-km radius and population density around the sampling sites were identified as further predictors of HM concentrations in moss and natural surface soil. HM monitoring with moss and natural surface soil samples indicates complementarily atmospheric deposition and thus should be carried out as long-term observation.

Spatial patterns and temporal trends of heavy metal concentrations in moss and surface soil specimens collected in Norway between 1990 and 2010

The aim of this investigation was to inquire whether the spatial patterns and temporal trends of heavy metal concentrations in moss and soil specimen monitored in two spatial dense networks covering Norway are correlated. To this end, data about concentrations of cadmium, mercury and lead in moss and soil specimens collected were compiled. The data were derived from moss surveys conducted in 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010, as well as from soil monitoring campaigns in 1995 and 2005. The data sets from both moss and soil surveys indicate a decrease of heavy metal concentrations in moss and soil specimen. However, in case of moss samples, the decrease is by far more pronounced and statistically significant. The heavy metal concentrations in moss and soil are correlated significantly with high positive coefficients for Pb, medium for Cd and moderate for Hg. From a set of potentially influencing boundary conditions, the modelled atmospheric deposition showed the highest correlation with the heavy metal concentrations in moss and soil. The spatial patterns of Cd and Pb concentration in moss and soil specimens 1995 and 2005 are similar. Thereby, the spatial differentiation of concentrations in moss is higher than that in soil, while the opposite holds true for the Hg concentration. Even if the metal concentrations in moss and soil are statistically correlated, they should not be replaced by each other but should be used as complementary monitoring systems.

Modelling and mapping spatio-temporal trends of heavy metal accumulation in moss and natural surface soil monitored 1990–2010 throughout Norway by multivariate generalized linear models and geostatistics

Objective. This study explores the statistical relations between the accumulation of heavy metals in moss and natural surface soil and potential influencing factors such as atmospheric deposition by use of multivariate regression-kriging and generalized linear models. Based on data collected in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010 throughout Norway the statistical correlation of a set of potential predictors (elevation, precipitation, density of different land uses, population density, physical properties of soil) with concentrations of cadmium (Cd), mercury and lead in moss and natural surface soil (response variables), respectively, were evaluated. Spatio-temporal trends were estimated by applying generalized linear models and geostatistics on spatial data covering Norway. The resulting maps were used to investigate to what extent the HM concentrations in moss and natural surface soil are correlated. Results. From a set of ten potential predictor variables the modelled atmospheric deposition showed the highest correlation with heavy metals concentrations in moss and natural surface soil. Density of various land uses in a 5 km radius reveal significant correlations with lead and cadmium concentration in moss and mercury concentration in natural surface soil. Elevation also appeared as a relevant factor for accumulation of lead and mercury in moss and cadmium in natural surface soil respectively. Precipitation was found to be a significant factor for cadmium in moss and mercury in natural surface soil. The integrated use of multivariate generalized linear models and kriging interpolation enabled creating heavy metals maps at a high level of spatial resolution. The spatial patterns of cadmium and lead concentrations in moss and natural surface soil in 1995 and 2005 are similar. The heavy metals concentrations in moss and natural surface soil are correlated significantly with high coefficients for lead, medium for cadmium and moderate for mercury. From 1995 up to 2010 the modelled moss and natural surface soil estimates indicate a decrease of lead concentration in both moss and natural surface soil. In the case of the moss data the decrease of accumulation is more pronounced. By contrast, the modelled cadmium and mercury concentrations do not exhibit any significant temporal trend. Conclusions. In Europe, there is hardly any nation-wide investigation of statistical correlations between the accumulation of heavy metals in moss and natural surface soil and potential influencing factors such as atmospheric deposition. This study could show that assessments of heavy metal concentrations in natural surface soil could complement biomonitoring with moss but should not replace it since the heavy metal concentrations in mosses reliably traces the spatial pattern of respective atmospheric deposition. Generalized linear models extend established methods for estimating spatial patterns and temporal trends of HM concentration in moss and natural surface soil.

Present and Past Deposition of Heavy Metals in Poland as Determined by Moss Monitoring

This study investigates the air deposition of heavy metals (past and recent) in Poland using a common bioindicator – moss Pleurozium schreberi. In 2010 moss samples were collected from 320 sites evenly distributed throughout the country; 297 sites coincided with those in which the 1995 survey was carried out. In green parts of mosses, the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn were determined. The 2010 data were compared with those from 1995. The moss concentration of most of the studied metals decreased significantly (P<0.05) between the surveyed years: from 0.45 to 0.30 mg Cd·kg -1 , from 7.6 to 6.0 mg Cu·kg -1 , from 362 to 344 mg Fe·kg -1 , and from 18.8 to 4.9 mg Pb·kg -1 , taking into account median values. This temporal trend was dependent on region (for some provinces decreases were insignificant). The concentration of Zn did not alter in time; median values of this variable were 42.8 and 47.5 mg·kg -1 in 1995 and 2010, respectively. The spatial patterns of the heavy metal concentrations in mosses were similar in both surveys; southern parts of Poland, industrialized and densely populated, were contaminated more than the rest of the country.

Assessing interpolation error for space–time monitoring data

In Europe, since 1990, a survey on environmental monitoring has been taking place every 5 years, using moss samples to study the distribution of heavy metal concentration and assess contamination sources, resulting on the identification of statistical association of several heavy metal concentrations in mosses. With this work, we propose an extension of an existing spatio-temporal model, introduced in Host et al. (JASA 90(431):853–861, 1995), allowing for prediction at unsampled locations of pollution data in the presence of covariates related to each country specificities, when separately modelling the spatial mean field, the spatial variance field and the space–time residual field. Moreover, this model allows to estimate an interpolation error, as an accuracy measure, derived dependently on the case study. For a validation purpose, a simulation study is conducted, showing that the use of the proposed model leads to more accurate prediction values. Results obtained by the proposed methodology for the most recent available survey, are compared with results obtained with no temporal information, namely when Ordinary Kriging, according to the definition in Cressie (Statistics for spatial data, Wiley, New York, 1993), is used to derive illustrative prediction maps based only on the most recent data. An exercise of cross-validation is performed relative to each of the scenarios considered and the average interpolation errors are presented. While assessing interpolation errors, we conclude that the monitoring specificities of each country and the information of preceding surveys allow for more accurate prediction results.

Correlation between atmospheric deposition of Cd, Hg and Pb and their concentrations in mosses specified for ecological land classes covering Europe

Referring to Europe as a whole and to single European countries, previous studies have shown that heavy metal concentrations in mosses (1) are primarily determined by atmospheric deposition of heavy metals; (2) are country and element–specific; and (3) agree well with respect to element–specific spatial patterns and temporal trends of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals. This paper investigates correlations between the concentrations of cadmium, lead and mercury in atmospheric deposition and mosses within the units of an ecological land classification of Europe. To this end, measurements from the 2005/2006 European moss survey and modeled atmospheric deposition in the previous three years were intersected with a map on ecologically defined land classes of Europe. Then, the minimum numbers of sampling sites required within the ecological land classes were computed. Considering spatial auto–correlations, subsequently the correlations between the concentrations of heavy metals in mosses and corresponding deposition were calculated and mapped for each of those ecological land classes containing moss sampling sites. It was concluded that the numbers of sampling sites within Europe and most participating countries as well as within most of the ecological land classes are sufficient for estimating the mean of measurements for the above mentioned three spatial levels within 20% of its true value with 95% confidence. Spatial patterns of correlations between the atmospheric deposition and bioaccumulation were shown to vary by element and ecologically defined land classes.

Does heavy metal deposition affect nutrient uptake by mossPleurozium schreberi?

Heavy metals may influence chemical composition of plants, and thus shape elemental stoichiometry of plant communities. That is because some physiological processes aiming at neutralization of contaminant toxicity require increased acquisition of some nutrients (e.g. N, S, P or Ca). The aim of the study was to evaluate the heavy metal deposition in Poland using moss Pleurozium schreberi as a bioindicator, and check whether C/N, C/S, C/P and Ca/Mg ratios in mosses correspond with the accumulation of heavy metals. Heavy metal concentrations in mosses were highly variable across the study area – southern parts of the country, industrialized and densely populated, were the most contaminated. There were significant correlations between nutrient ratios and metal accumulation in mosses. Mosses seem to take 1) more N, P and S under Cu contamination, and 2) more Ca under Zn contamination. This increased acquisition of nutrients, mainly N and Ca, may be a response to higher toxicity of heavy metals. Further studies are required to exclude other causes for observed relationships.

Mapping atmospheric depositions of cadmium and lead in Germany based on EMEP deposition data and the European Moss Survey 2005

Abstract Background Every five years since 1990, the European Heavy Metals in Mosses Survey provided data on atmospheric heavy metal bioaccumulations in mosses throughout Europe at a high spatial resolution. The moss data show the effectiveness of air quality control policies: for Germany the metal bioaccumulations decreased between 1990 and 2000, whilst they increased from 2000 to 2005. This investigation is intended to show how the moss data could be used to map atmospheric depositions of Cd and Pb, which later on might serve for the calculation of Critical Loads Exceedances. In addition, we compared how much heavy metal concentrations in mosses in Germany deviate from background data observed in Greenland. Methods Mapping heavy metals with a high spatial resolution for the German territory was conducted according to the following methodology: EMEP deposition maps (50 km by 50 km spatial resolution) were intersected within a GIS with Kriging maps on Cd and Pb accumulations in mosses (EMEP (European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme) is a scientifically based and politically driven programme under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution for international co-operation to solve transboundary air pollution problems). Subsequently, the statistical relations between the EMEP modelled depositions and the bioaccumulations in mosses were quantified by using regression analysis. The regression functions were used to transform the moss concentration maps into deposition maps. The resulting maps on Cd and Pb depositions have a spatial resolution of 5 km by 5 km and were added to the respective map on the residuals of the regression functions (Regression Kriging). Finally, the territory of Germany was extracted from the European maps on Cd and Pb depositions and the legends were adjusted accordingly in terms of n standard deviations from the German mean value. The concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn in the mosses sampled in 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005 in Germany were compared with background values derived from mosses sampled in north-eastern Greenland (Zackenberg Background Values). The differences between heavy metal concentrations in mosses in Germany and Greenland were calculated for the 16 federal states of Germany and mapped for Pb. Results and discussion The regression models corroborate that the Cd concentration in mosses is correlated with the EMEP modelled total Cd deposition across Europe (regression coefficient according to Pearson, r p = 0.67; regression coefficient according to Spearman, r s = 0.69). The coefficient of determination is r 2 = 0.44. The same is true for Pb with r p = 0.76 and r s = 0.77 and r 2 = 0.58. Based on the regression models and the respective residuals, maps on the total deposition of Cd and Pb were calculated for the year 2005. The German mean value of total Cd and Pb deposition was 0.342 g/ha/a (standard deviation 0.08 g/ha/a and 8.6 g/ha/a (standard deviation 2.1 g/ha/a) respectively. The maps depict the spatial patterns of the total Cd and Pb deposition in terms of n standard deviations from the respective German wide mean value. The spatial resolution of the maps is 5 km × 5 km and reflects the mesh size of the moss monitoring net. Even today, the bioaccumulation of several metals in Germany still exceeds the background values observed in Greenland. This is true especially for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, Sn and Zn. Comparing the results of this investigation with those from other methods it can be concluded that the mean values calculated for the total Cd and Pb deposition for Germany differ from such assessed by deposition measurements and models. The latter are used to calculate Critical Loads Exceedances, which complement the ecotoxicological endpoint 'accumulation'. The deposition measurements in Germany are mainly based on monitoring systems conducted by the federal states. When trying to use deposition measurements from the ICP Forests level II programme for the validation of the EMEP deposition modelling, problems arose due to a lack of methodical harmonization and the quality of the depositions measurements. That is why in this investigation the quality controlled and spatially high resolved moss data were used to empirically validate EMEP modelled deposition maps. Conclusions In Germany, the moss measurement data provide a valuable tool at a high spatial resolution for the validation of modelling and mapping of atmospheric heavy metal deposition and should as such be used for this purpose. The comparison of the metal concentrations in mosses in Germany with the values found in Greenland indicate that atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in Germany is still considerably higher than the natural background deposition.

Temporal trends and spatial patterns of heavy metal concentrations in mosses in Bulgaria and Switzerland: 1990–2005

Abstract Owing to their ability to accumulate heavy metals, mosses are especially suitable to monitor heavy metal airborne pollution. In Europe, starting in 1990 within the framework of UNECE ICP-Vegetation, the monitoring of background heavy metal deposition based on concentrations found in mosses were performed every five years in Switzerland, and, since 1995 also Bulgaria. Here we compare spatial and temporal trends of heavy metal depositions in these two countries and we assess to what extent a large scale European deposition model (MSCE-HM model) can be applied on these two countries. Highly significant differences in concentrations in mosses between the two countries were found for Cd, Cu, Ni, V, Cr, Fe, Pb. For Zn the differences were less clear, but still significant in 2000 and 2005. In Bulgaria, with the exception of Cr, heavy metal concentrations decreased between 1995 and 2005 (−14% to −29%). In Switzerland, Cd (−38%), Pb (−63%) and V (−23%) showed the strongest decrease between 1995 and 2005. For Fe, Ni and Zn no or only small concentration changes were found, whereas a considerable rise was recorded for Cr (+65%) and Cu (+15%). In comparison to median heavy metal concentrations in Europe, concentrations in Bulgaria were nearly always higher, while concentrations in Switzerland were always lower. For both Pb and Cd, relationships between modelled and moss-derived values for all of the years were highly significant, but explained variances were rather low. Overall, relationships between moss-derived depositions and modelled depositions were rather close to a 1:1-relationship in Switzerland. In Bulgaria the modelled depositions were considerably lower than the moss-derived depositions. Although deposition levels in Bulgaria also decreased, heavy metal concentrations in mosses were still high. In contrast to Switzerland, Bulgaria has a strong non-ferrous and ferrous heavy industry. New technologies must be implemented in order to reduce deposition levels in Bulgaria. Continuing the moss monitoring is crucial for future evaluations of environmental measures.

Are cadmium, lead and mercury concentrations in mosses across Europe primarily determined by atmospheric deposition of these metals?

Purpose This study aimed at investigating correlations between heavy metal concentrations in mosses and modelled deposition values as well as other site-specific and regional characteristics to determine which factors primarily affect cadmium, lead and mercury concentrations in mosses. The resulting relationships could potentially be used to enhance the spatial resolution of heavy metal deposition maps across Europe.

Changes in total concentrations and assessed background concentrations of heavy metals in moss in Lithuania and the Czech Republic between 1995 and 2005

Data on concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) in moss collected on the lightly industrialized territory of Lithuania and on the highly industrialized territory of the Czech Republic in 1995, 2000 and 2005 is used to separate the background and anthropogenic contributions to heavy metal concentrations in moss. The distribution of the concentration logarithms allowed us to determine a background mode, and to estimate the background concentration of heavy metals from this mode. The method was then applied for an estimation of the contribution of local sources to the total pollution level in both countries. The average concentrations and the background modes of heavy metals in Lithuania and in the Czech Republic were very similar, except in the case of vanadium, where the background concentration was higher in Lithuania than in the Czech Republic. For most elements, the background concentration in moss had a decreasing tendency in Lithuania and in the Czech Republic between 1995 and 2005, though the concentration of Cu and Hg increased in Lithuania. The variability of chromium concentration in moss differed from the remaining investigated elements in the Czech Republic, and it was expressed as a bimodal lognormal distribution. This variability may be due to simultaneous contamination of moss by chromium from soil and from industrial sources of pollution.

Spatial and temporal changes of heavy metal concentrations in mosses and its indication to the environments in the past 40 years in the city of Shanghai, China

The mosses have been widely used as bioindicators to investigate pollution and changes of heavy metals in different countries and regions. For a better understanding of the environmental changes in the past 40 years in Shanghai, one of the largest cities in the world, we studied the spatial and temporal changes of five heavy metal depositions in two species of the moss genus Haplocladium. By means of the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) method, the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the plants of moss Haplocladium samples collected from 16 sites in Shanghai in 1965, 1974–1976, 1978–1982, and 2005 were determined and shown in the color Isogram maps made with the computer program Arcmap 9.0. The trends of the heavy metal concentrations in selected sites including Sheshan Mt., Jin Shan Petrochemical Plant, and the four representative sites of Shanghai were analyzed with two-factor analysis of variance and linear regression analysis, respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of the five heavy metals at all sample sites increased distinctly from 1965 to 2005, especially after the 1980s. The increasing rate was Cr>Cu>Cd>Pb>Zn. The heavy metal concentrations were distinctly associated with local emission point sources and changes in emission levels, and the major emission sources in Shanghai were industry and traffic.

Heavy Metal Concentrations in European Mosses: 2000/2001 Survey

The heavy metals in mosses survey was originally established in 1980 as a joint Danish- Swedish initiative under the leadership of ˚ Ake Ruhling, Sweden and has, since then, been repeated at five-yearly intervals with an increasing number of countries and individuals participating. Twenty- eight European countries, almost 7000 sites and about 100 individuals have been involved in the most recent survey in 2000/2001. The survey provides data on concentrations of 10 heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, nickel, vanadium, zinc) in naturally growing mosses throughout Europe. The technique of moss analysis provides a surrogate measure of the spatial patterns of heavy metal deposition from the atmosphere to terrestrial systems, and is easier and cheaper than conventional precipitation analysis. The aims of the survey are to determine patterns of variation in the heavy metal concentration of mosses across Europe, identify the main polluted areas, produce regional maps and further develop the understanding of long-range transboundary pollution. As in previous surveys, there was an east/west decrease in heavy metal concentrations in mosses, related in particular to industrial emissions. Former industrial sites and historic mines accounted for the location of some high concentrations in areas without contemporary industries. Long-range transboundary transport appears to account for elevated concentrations of heavy metals in areas without emission sources, such as lead in southern Scandinavia (presumably from emission sources elsewhere in Europe). Ke yw ords: atmospheric deposition, heavy metals, long-range transboundary air pollution, mosses, trace elements

Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Heavy Metal Deposition by Mosses in the Vicinity of Industrial Sites

At four industrial regions, heavy metal concentrations and calculated depositions were investigated by sampling and analysing mosses. In each region, a special spatial pattern of heavy metal concentrations was detected, reflecting the industrial processes. Metals most likely originating from the industrial sites showed an exponential decrease of concentrations and depositions with increasing distance from the pollution source. The exponential deposition pattern was in some cases modified by a series of natural factors, like the main direction of winds or orographic conditions. The distance at which deposition dropped to background values was up to 20 km. Beside the fact that the “moss-metho” is a useful tool for deposition measurement in the vicinity of stationary sources, some improvements for using this method are discussed, highlighting factors such as a proper calculation of deposition from concentrations, or the better knowledge of correlations between heavy metal concentrations in mosses and effects on human health.