Heavy metals in bulk precipitation and transplantedHypogymnia physodes andDicranoweisia cirrata in the vicinity of a Danish steelworks

Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. andDicranoweisia cirrata (Hedw.) Lindb. were transplanted to 12 stations in the vicinity of the steelworks in Frederiksvaerk, Denmark. The transplants were exposed for 7 mo, and samples were taken after 31, 64, 104, 154, 184, and 214 days. Bulk precipitation was collected simultaneously. The concentrations of the metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ph, V, and Zn were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in both transplants and bulk precipitation. The amounts of accumulated metals in the transplants were linearly correlated with fallout from the atmosphere, the bryophytes accumulating the metals slightly faster than the lichens. The metal concentrations in the transplants, as well as the bulk precipitation, followed a decreasing power curve when the distance to the steelworks was increased. It was concluded that transplanted lichens and bryophytes can be applied as monitor organisms of heavy metal pollution from the air.