The use of moss,lichen and pine bark in the nationwide monitoring of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Finland

Mosses, lichens and pine bark were compared as indicators of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Finland. The samples were collected from the nationwide sampling network systematically covering the country as a whole. All three bioindicators showed a fairly similar result concerning heavy metal deposition. The major emission sources and the areas affected were reflected in the metal concentrations in the samples. However, there were differences between the accumulation of metals. The correlation between concentrations in mosses and lichens was generally higher than that between mosses and bark or lichens and bark. Concentrations in lichens were the highest and lichens reflected the regional differences in background areas as well as the local emission sources. The concentrations in the mosses were slightly lower than those in lichens and also the mosses pinpointed the emission sources and the extend of the areas polluted. Bark had the lowest concentrations and bark did not generally reveal regional differences as well as mosses and lichens. In spite of the differences, all three bioindicators proved to be suitable for monitoring atmospheric heavy metal deposition.     

Use of Lichen and Moss in Assessment of Forest Contamination with Heavy Metals in Praded and Glacensis Euroregions (Poland and Czech Republic)

The concentrations of selected metals—Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb—were determined in the samples of Hypogymnia physodes lichen and Pleurozium schreberi moss collected in Polish and Czech Euroregions Praded and Glacensis. More specifically, the samples were collected in Bory Stobrawskie, Bory Niemodlińskie, and Kotlina K?odzka (Poland) and in Jeseniki (Czech Republic). The concentration of metals in the samples was measured using the atomic absorption spectrometry (flame AAS technique and electrothermal atomization AAS technique). The results were used to calculate the comparison factor (CF) that quantifies the difference in concentration of a given bioavailable analyte × accumulated in lichens and mosses: CF?=?2 (c _x,lichen ? c _x,moss) (c _x,lichen + c _x,moss)^?1. The values of CF greater than 0.62 indicate the most probable location of heavy metals deposited in the considered area. In this work, the method was used to show a significant contribution of urban emissions to the deposition of heavy metals in the area of Bory Stobrawskie and in the vicinity of K?odzko City.     

Estimation method of residual alkylating agents in water treated with chloring-containing oxidant

Concentrations of trace metals in mosses Hylocomium splendens (Hs) and Pleurozium schreberi (Ps) are compared along with wet deposition at 8 sites in Sweden. Cd, Mn, Zn and Cr concentrations were similar in both mosses, while Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni and V levels were 14 to 24% higher in Hs than in Ps. The comparison to wet deposition estimates indicates that concentrations in mosses are also influenced by other factors than the adsorption of precipitation. No correlation was observed between the wet deposition of Mn, Cr and Ni and moss concentrations.     

Airborne heavy metal pollution in the environment of a danish steel plant

A survey of heavy metal deposition was carried out in the vicinity of a Danish steel plant. Bulk precipitation and transplanted lichen (Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl.) were sampled at 12 stations in the environment before and after the production had been converted from open-hearth furnaces to electric-arc furnaces. The samples were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn. The results show that heavy metal pollution from the steelworks still is severe and that it follows a decreasing power curve when the distance to the steelworks is increased. However, a reduction in the deposition of heavy metals close to the steelworks has been observed, pointing to the conclusion that the change from a situation of emission through a 46 m stack without any filter to emission from the electric arc furnaces equipped with bag-filters has lead to changes in the emission. At the sampling stations with the highest deposition levels measured in bulk precipitation the corresponding concentrations in the lichens were relatively lower indicating a change in particle size distribution. Within each station there was a direct proportionality of metal concentrations in lichens and atmospheric fallout measured in bulk precipitation.     

Evaluation of regional heavy metal deposition by multivariate analysis of element contents in pine tree barks

The airborne immission of heavy metals in the conservation area “Dübener Heide” nearby Bitterfeld was evaluated by biomonitoring studies with bark samples of 60-years-old scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Nitric acid digestion and hydrochloric acid extraction of bark was followed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS analysis of the elements Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Fe and especially Cr were only partly soluble in hydrochloric acid. These elements deposited mostly as insoluble oxides, and their contents in the bark correlate significantly with Ca and S as elements of alkaline and acid deposition. Factor and cluster analysis of all element contents are used for the characterization and evaluation of heavy metal deposition types, which is shown to be a useful tool in forest monitoring control.     

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.

Materials and methods

Modelled heavy metal deposition data and data on the concentration of heavy metals in naturally growing mosses were integrated into a geographic information system and analysed by means of bivariate rank correlation analysis and multivariate decision trees. Modelled deposition data were validated annually with deposition measurements at up to 63 EMEP measurement stations within the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP), and mosses were collected at up to 7,000 sites at 5-year intervals between 1990 and 2005.

Results and discussion

Moderate to high correlations were found between cadmium and lead concentrations in mosses and modelled atmospheric deposition of these metals: Spearman rank correlation coefficients were between 0.62 and 0.67, and 0.67 and 0.73 for cadmium and lead, respectively (p?<?0.001). Multivariate decision tree analyses showed that cadmium and lead concentrations in mosses were primarily determined by the atmospheric deposition of these metals, followed by emissions of the metals. Low to very low correlations were observed between mercury concentrations in mosses and modelled atmospheric deposition of mercury. According to the multivariate analyses, spatial variations of the mercury concentration in mosses was primarily associated with the sampled moss species and not with the modelled deposition, but regional differences in the atmospheric chemistry of mercury and corresponding interactions with the moss may also be involved.

Conclusions

At least for cadmium and lead, concentrations in mosses are a valuable tool in determining and mapping the spatial variation in atmospheric deposition across Europe at a high spatial resolution. For mercury, more studies are needed to elucidate interactions of different chemical species with the moss.     

Pollution assessment and spatial variation of soil heavy metals in Lixia River Region of Eastern China

Purpose

The effect of soil heavy metals on crops and human health is an important research topic in some fields (Agriculture, Ecology et al.). In this paper, the objective is to understand the pollution status and spatial variability of soil heavy metals in this study area. These results can help decision-makers apportion possible soil heavy metal sources and formulate pollution control policies, effective soil remediation, and management strategies.

Materials and methods

A total of 212 topsoil samples (0–20 cm) were collected and analyzed for eight heavy metals (Cd, Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, and Ni) from agricultural areas of Yingbao County in Lixia River Region of Eastern China, by using four indices (pollution index (PI), Nemerow pollution index (PI_N), index of geo-accumulation (I _geo), E _i /risk index (RI)) and cluster analysis to assess pollution level and ecological risk level of soil heavy metals and combining with geostatistics to analyze the concentration change of heavy metals in soils. GS+ software was used to analyze the spatial variation of soil heavy metals, and the semi-variogram model is the main tool to calculate the spatial variability and provide the input parameters for the spatial interpolation of kriging. Arcgis software was used to draw the spatial distribution of soil heavy metals.

Results and discussion

The result indicated that the eight heavy metals in soils of this area had moderate variations, with CVs ranging from 23.51 to 64.37 %. Single pollution index and Nemerow pollution index showed that about 2.7 and 1.36 % of soil sampling sites were moderately polluted by Cd and Zn, respectively. The pollution level of soil heavy metals decreased in the order of Cd?>?Zn?>?Pb?>?As?>?Cu?>?Cr?>?Ni?>?Hg. The I _geo values of heavy metals in this area decreased in the order of Zn?>?Cd?>?As?>?Pb?>?Cu?>?Cr?>?Hg?>?Ni. According to the E _i index, except Cd that was in the moderate ecological risk status, other heavy metals in soils were in the light ecological risk status, and the level of potential ecological risk (RI) of soil sampling sites of the whole area was light.

Conclusions

The results of four indices and the analysis of spatial variation indicated that the contents of Cd and Zn were contributed mainly by anthropogenic activities and located in the south-east of this study area. However, the contents of Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Ni in soils were primarily influenced by soil parent materials.

     

重庆主城区空气降尘中重金属的特点及其在表层土壤中的累积量研究

探索不同功能区空气降尘中重金属通量特征并对其进行污染评价,对于了解空气降尘输入对土壤中重金属累积影响具有重要意义。对重庆主城的居住区(JZ)、文教区(WJ)、商业区(SY)、郊区(JQ)、交通区(JT)和工业-居住混合区(GJ)逐月进行空气降尘通量和Cr、Ni、Cd、Pb含量的测定。结果表明,工业–居住混合区的空气降尘通量平均值最高,文教区的最低。6类功能区秋季的降尘量相对较低。Cd、Cr、Ni和Pb的平均降尘量在不同功能区分布存在差异。空气降尘中4种重金属元素的平均含量为:Cd 2.14 mg/kg、Cr 66.36 mg/kg、Ni 27.69 mg/kg、Pb 98.33 mg/kg。6类功能区降尘中Cd、Cr、Ni和Pb 4种重金属含量一般冬季较高。地积累指数法的分析表明降尘中Cd污染最严重。经推算,以空气降尘的方式向土壤中输入的重金属,使重庆主城区土壤中Cd、Cr、Ni和Pb等4种重金属元素的浓度在累积100a后仍将低于《土壤环境质量标准》中的二级标准。土壤中重金属元素增加速度最快为Cd,其次为Pb和Cr,Ni的增长为负值。     

Element Concentrations in Soils and Plant Bioindicators in Selected Habitats of the Holy Cross Mountains,Poland

The objectives of this investigation in the HolyCross Mountain region of Poland were (1) to determineconcentration ranges and (2) mobility of elements within fivedetailed soil profiles and their apparent impact on thechemistry of some plant bioindicators, i.e. lichen thalli ofthe species Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. and Scotspine (Pinus sylvestris L.) bark. The results ofelemental determinations performed on soils and vegetationfrom the Holy Cross Mts show that some concentrations ofelements are elevated primarily due to air pollution.However, since 1994 a steady decrease in the content of S andsome heavy metals has been recorded in all the mediaexamined. Concentrations of many elements in H.physodes thalli and P. sylvestris needles of the Holy Cross Mountains are generally similarto those in other areas of Europe.     

汉江上游汉中段河流表层沉积物重金属污染风险评价

通过监测汉江上游汉中段河流表层沉积物重金属Pb,Cu,Zn,Cd,Cr的浓度,分析了各元素的含量分布特征,并选用Hakanson生态风险指数法对研究区进行了环境风险评价。结果表明,汉江上游汉中段各监测点重金属富集顺序为:Cd >Zn >Pb >Cr >Cu。单个重金属的污染指数C_fⁱ显示,汉江上游汉中段监测点仅有Cu的含量均值为0.83,小于1,为轻微污染;Pb,Zn,Cd,Cr的均值分别为1.06,1.25,1.33,1.02,略大于等于1,处于轻微污染以上水平,达到中度污染水平。综合分析多项重金属污染系数C_d,单项重金属的潜在生态风险系数E_rⁱ和多种重金属的生态系统的潜在生态风险指数I_R可知,汉江上游汉中段各监测点沉积物重金属污染属于轻微生态危害。     

Accumulation Capacities of Particulate Matter in an Acrocarpous and a Pleurocarpous Moss Exposed at Three Differently Polluted Sites (Industrial, Urban and Rural)

The aim of this study was to compare the capacity of two morphologically different moss species to accumulate elements when exposed to three different types of air pollution (rural, urban and industrial). Transplants of Pseudoscleropodium purum and Ceratodon purpureus were exposed for 6 months, and the concentrations of 18 elements (Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, La, Pb and Bi) in the mosses samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. On the whole, the metals were accumulated by mosses, and this accumulation was correlated with concentrations in the atmospheric particles. Whereas P. purum is to be preferred for Al, Cu, Zn and Fe monitoring, C. purpureus was most efficient at accumulating Mo, Ti, V, As, Sn, La and Pb. In both species, a phenomenon of saturation was observed during the exposure at the most contaminated site (industrial).     

Temporal and Spatial Changes in Spruce Bark Acidity at the Scale of the Czech Republic in the Last Two Decades,and the Current Abundance of Epiphytic Lichen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypogymnia physodes</Emphasis>

Two large-scale national monitoring campaigns investigating changes in spruce bark extract acidity and long-term monitoring of bark acidity along elevation transects have been carried out in the Czech Republic. The investigations have revealed significant average changes in the pH values of bark extracts (4 g: 16 ml) from 2.35 to 2.60 between 1989 and 1995, and from 2.60 to 3.25 between 1995 and 2005. In comparison with 1990, the H⁺ concentrations in bark extracts had decreased by 10–15% in 1995 and by 70% in 2005. National emissions of acidic compounds were reduced by about 58% (1995) and 62% (2005), and the mean annual H⁺ deposition was reduced by about 60% (1995) and by about 80% (2005). However, neither inventoried current absolute amounts nor specific regional amounts of emitted acidic pollutants correlated significantly with bark acidity in 1995 and 2005. Bark acidity was not significantly affected by the elevation of the sampling plots or by the average tree defoliation. Along the altitudinal transects, considerably defoliated trees near the top of mountain ridges showed permanently lower bark acidity than trees lower down the mountain slopes. Significant differences in average bark acidity were found between defined mountain, highland and lowland elevation zones. In 2005, the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes was found at almost all sampling plots, with the exception of the most industrialised areas of two coal basins. The abundance of the lichen correlated significantly and negatively with spruce bark acidity and with total nitrogen and copper concentrations in moss growing at the bark sampling plots in 2005.     

Heavy metals in the lichen Ramalina duriaei transplanted at biomonitoring stations in the region of a coal-fired power plant in Israel after 3 years of operation

A survey of the heavy metal content in a transplanted lichen Ramalina duriaei (De Not.) Bagl. was carried out in the region of an Israeli coal-fired power plant. Nickel, Cr, Cu, and Zn were analyzed in the lichen exposed to environmental influences for a period of 1 yr. The concentrations of metals were compared with the concentrations of the same metals measured in R. duriaei transplanted to the study area prior to the operation of the power plant. The results show that after the 1983–1984 period, the regional concentrations of Cr in the transplanted lichen thalli were found to be higher than in the lichen thalli transplanted to the same sites during the period February 1979-March 1980, prior to the operation of the coal-fired power plant. A regional decrease in Zn concentration in the lichen exposed during the latter period is probably linked to the decrease in the use of this metal as a constituent of foliar nutrients in agriculture. The regional increase of Cr in the 1983–1984 lichen material is probably connected with the operation of the Maor David coal-fired power plant located at Sharonim. A local increase in the Ni and Cr concentrations was found in the lichen transplanted to a nature reserve located north of the power station.     

Coastal Pollution and Potential Biomonitors of Metals in Mauritius

Contaminant metals are potentially toxic, accumulate in the sediment, are bioconcentrated by organisms and may cause health problems to humans via the food chain. Discharge of industrial wastewaters and untreated sewage pose a particularly serious threat to the coastal environment of Mauritius, but very little information exists on contaminant metals. This study aimed principally to assess such contamination by (i) reviewing available data, (ii) examining the results of metal (Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn) analysis in (a) seawater, sediment and biota from an island-wide survey of 20 sites in 1999–2000, (b) seawater from a water quality survey (high tide and low tide) in 2003 of a 10 km stretch of sewage-impacted coast. UNEP reference methods were used for sample collection and processing, and metal analysis was perfomed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results were compared with established guidelines and data reported from elsewhere, and examined for suitable plant and animal species as biomonitors. The pioneering study by SOGETI (1995) provided indications of high marine sediment contamination in Mauritius compared to data reported from elsewhere. The 1999–2000 islandwide survey indicated even higher sediment contamination, namely at hotspots, requiring the use of sediment quality guidelines (SQG) for monitoring and assessment. Maximum metal concentrations from these two studies were as follows: 736 μgg^?1 Zn, 329 μgg^?1 Mn, 98.1 μgg^?1 Pb, 93.38 μgg^?1 Cu, 91.39 μgg^?1 Cr, 65.53 μgg^?1 Sn and 55.01 μgg^?1 Cd. Seawater contamination corresponded closely to the pattern of sediment contamination, both showing a downstream and away-from-the-outfall gradient. Applicable guidelines for seawater were exceeded at more than 50% of the sites around Mauritius with maximum concentrations of Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd as follows: 0.41, 0.352, 0.312, 0.247 and 0.232 mgl^?1, respectively. Maximum concentrations of Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb and Cr along the sewage-impacted shoreline occurred during low tide as follows: 0.454, 0.329, 0.259, 0.138 and 0.123 mgl^?1, respectively. The recommended limits for Cu, Cd and Zn were exceeded in all the samples. High tissue accumulation by marine biota corresponded to high levels of seawater and sediment contamination at hotspots. Species showing the highest potential as biomonitors (namely Ulva lactuca, Enteromorpha ramulosa, Crassostrea cuculatta, Isognomon isognomon and Echinometra mathaei) were identified based on their common occurrence, high bioconcentration potential and successful utilization in studies elsewhere. Enhanced levels of contaminant metals were recorded and suitable biomonitors were identified. It is advocated that a rigorous use of the suite of biomonitors proposed in this study and others later will allow identification of the different metal sources as well as provide an improved assessment of the magnitude of metal contamination in the coastal marine environment of Mauritius.     

Heavy metals in the lichen Ramalina duriaei transplanted in biomonitoring stations

The amounts of six heavy metals, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ni in the transplanted fruticose lichen Ramalina duriaei, have been determined. The contents of these metals in the material exposed for 1 yr at the site which served as a source for the transplantation were found to be much lower than in the lichen transplanted close to busy roads and to places with other intensive human activities. Correlation coefficients between some pairs of the heavy metals found in the transplanted R. duriaei are closer to those previously found in Caloplaca aurantia from rural and suburban sites than to those from industrial sites in Tel-Aviv. All these heavy metals are expected in the emission from a coal-fired electric generating station to be located at the sea shore in the near future. We recommend that a program of monitoring for a power station at the proposed coastal site include routine determination of (a) the amounts of these metals in transplanted lichens, (b) the correlation between the amounts and the distance from the sea, and (c) the correlation between pairs of these metals at various locations.     

<Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs in natural ecosystem components within the 30-km impact zone of the Smolensk nuclear power plant

The accumulation and redistribution of ¹³⁷Cs in natural ecosystems within the 30-km impact zone of the Smolensk nuclear power plant (SNPP) are analyzed. It is shown that the radioactive pollution of this territory is mainly due to the Chernobyl-derived radioactive fallout. However, the radioactive decay of ¹³⁷Cs from the Chernobyl disaster is partly compensated for by the ¹³⁷Cs technologic emission from the SNPP. The highest rate of the vertical migration of ¹³⁷Cs is typical of the bog phytocenoses and deciduous forests. The components of biota may be ranked by their capacity for ¹³⁷Cs accumulation as follows: higher fungi > mosses > herbs and shrubs > trees. The organisms and their parts that may serve as bioindicators of the modern radioactive contamination of the territory have been identified. These are the assimilative organs and bark of the trees, various fern species among herbs, sphagnum mosses and Pleurozium schreberi (among mosses), and Typolius felleus among higher fungi.     

贵州草海沉积物重金属污染特征及潜在生态风险分析

为研究重金属在草海沉积物中富集污染状况,以7种毒性重金属为研究对象,从不同方位对草海沉积物中重金属进行采样测试,分析重金属含量水平及空间分布特征,同时应用潜在生态危害指数法进行评价。结果表明,草海沉积物中重金属富集特征为Zn〉Cr〉Pb〉Cu〉As〉Cd〉Hg,且在空间分布上呈现从湖心向边缘逐渐减少的趋势,重金属污染程度表现为Cd〉Hg〉Zn〉Pb〉As〉Cu〉Cr,在Cd的潜在生态风险系数高贡献下,沉积物中重金属潜在生态风险指数均大于150,多数达到严重程度。     

Accumulation of heavy metals by enchytraeids and earthworms in a floodplain

The river floodplain ‘Afferdense and Deestsche Waarden’ (ADW) in The Netherlands is diffusely contaminated with several heavy metals. It is, however, unclear whether this mixed contamination exerts any adverse ecotoxicological effects. In November 2000 and May 2001 a field survey was conducted in two areas in the ADW to collect a wide range of data concerning contamination levels, bioavailability, enchytraeids and earthworms and abiotic factors such as lutum and organic matter content, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil nutrient concentrations. Earthworms and enchytraeids were also analyzed for heavy metal content. At both sites arsenic and zinc were present in soil at relatively high concentrations (above the Dutch intervention value). In the two areas, both enchytraeids and earthworms accumulated metals. Fridericia ulrikae accumulated more cadmium than Enchytraeus buchholzi and Henlea perpusilla. The earthworm Lumbricus rubellus accumulated larger concentrations of Cr, Cu and Pb than Aporrectodea caliginosa and Allolobophora chlorotica. Dietary, physiological and behavioral characteristics may have contributed to these differences.     

Mechanisms for Translocation of Heavy Metals from Soil to Epigeal Mosses

The mechanisms for translocation of heavy metals from soil to epigeal mosses were investigated. The first mechanism was demonstrated for ¹³⁷Cs and involved the uplifting of the pollutant-containing dust from the soil, followed by the local secondary deposition on surfaces of epigeal mosses and epiphytic lichens. The second mechanism involved the diffusion of metal cations from the soil through water wetting the moss into the gametophyte. The mechanism was demonstrated by measuring the electric conductance of wetted gametophytes with single ends immersed in solutions of Cu and Na salts. In addition, the concentrations of Cu and Cd were compared in moss samples exposed to the natural soil and to the soil contaminated with the metals. The exposition to the contaminated soil resulted in the statistically significant increase of metal concentrations in the gametophytes.     

铁路交通对铁路旁土壤重金属污染的影响——以陇海铁路郑州—圃田段为例

以陇海铁路郑州-圃田段为例,在野外调查、采样和实验室分析的基础上,探讨了铁路交通对周围土壤N i、Pb、Cr、Zn、Cu和Cd六种重金属含量与分布的影响。结果表明,铁路南侧农田土壤六种重金属元素都出现不同程度的富集,最大含量均分布在距铁路路基30m的范围内,随着距离的增加,各重金属元素含量表现出不同的下降趋势。土壤各重金属污染程度的次序为:Zn>Pb>Cd>Cu>Cr>N i。土壤Pb和Zn污染最为严重,近路基处为重度污染,随着距路基距离的增加,由中度污染逐渐变为轻度污染。土壤N i和Cr虽不构成污染,但仍具有明显的铁路影响特征。在距路基10 m范围内为土壤重金属重度污染带,10~100 m范围内为中度污染带,100~500 m范围内为轻度污染带。