Mosses as biomonitors of atmospheric heavy metal deposition: Spatial patterns and temporal trends in Europe

TitleMosses as biomonitors of atmospheric heavy metal deposition: Spatial patterns and temporal trends in Europe
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsHarmens H., Norris D.A, Steinnes E., Kubin E., Piispanen J., Alber R., Aleksiayenak Y., Blum O., Coskun M., Dam M., De Temmerman L., Fernandez J.A, Frolova M., Frontasyeva M., Gonzalez-Miqueo L., Grodzinska K., Jeran Z., Korzekwa S., Krmar M., Kvietkusr K., Leblond S., Liiv S., Magnusson S.H, Mankovska B., Pesch R., Ruehling A., Santamaria J.M, Schroder W., Spiric Z., Suchara I., Thoni L., Urumov V., Yurukova L., Zechmeister H.G
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume158
Pagination3144-3156
Date PublishedOct
ISBN Number0269-7491
Accession NumberWOS:000282260200020
Keywordsheavy metals
Abstract

In recent decades, mosses have been used successfully as biomonitors of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals. Since 1990, the European moss survey has been repeated at five-yearly intervals. Although spatial patterns were metal-specific, in 2005 the lowest concentrations of metals in mosses were generally found in Scandinavia, the Baltic States and northern parts of the UK; the highest concentrations were generally found in Belgium and south-eastern Europe. The recent decline in emission and subsequent deposition of heavy metals across Europe has resulted in a decrease in the heavy metal concentration in mosses for the majority of metals. Since 1990, the concentration in mosses has declined the most for arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead and vanadium (52-72%), followed by copper, nickel and zinc (20-30%), with no significant reduction being observed for mercury (12% since 1995) and chromium (2%). However, temporal trends were country-specific with sometimes increases being found. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

URLhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20674112
DOI10.1016/j.envpol.2010.06.039
Alternate JournalEnviron Pollut