The use of mosses as environmental metal pollution indicators

Maurizio Aceto, Ornella Abollino, Raffaele Conca, Mery Malandrino, Edoardo Mentasti, Corrado Sarzanini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The possibility of using mosses as environmental indicators of metal pollution has been investigated. Mosses of the species Bryum argenteum were collected from different parts of Piedmont (Italy), ranging from highly polluted areas to nearly uncontaminated mountain areas. Periodical samplings were planned in every site on a monthly base, in order to check variations of metal uptake throughout one year; correlations with pluviometric and thermal patterns were investigated for all sampling stations. On every moss sample 20 elements, ranging from major (K, P, Al, Ca, Fe and Mg) to minor (Mn, Na, Ti and Zn) and trace (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Ph and Sr), were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry or graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry, depending on the needed sensitivity. Statistical analyses, carried out with principal component analysis and cluster analysis methods, revealed that a good correlation exists between metal content in mosses and pollution degree in the areas sampled.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)333-342
Number of pages10
JournalChemosphere
Volume50
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2003

Keywords

  • GF-AAS
  • ICP-AES
  • Metals
  • Monitoring
  • Mosses

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