Mosses as indicators of radioactivity deposition around a coal-fired power station

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 227; no. 1; pp. 49 - 56
• Main Authors: Delfanti, R, Papucci, C, Benco, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier B.V 16.02.1999; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: 137Cs; 210Pb ex; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Biomarkers; Cesium; Coal combustion; Combustion and energy production; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fossil fuel power plants; Hypnum cupressiforme; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Lead; Plants (botany); Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Radioactivity deposition; Radioisotopes; Thermal power plants; Italy; Europe; Radioactivity deposition; 210Pb ex; Hypnum cupressiforme; 137Cs; Musci; Radioactive pollution; Atmospheric fallout; Thermal power plant; Coal power plant; Lead 210; Bryophyta; Biological indicator; Air pollution; Radioisotope; Spatial variation; Radioactivity
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/S0048-9697(98)00410-0

The concentration of 210Pb ex has been measured in mosses ( Hypnum cupressiforme) collected over a wide area around a coal-fired power station located in La Spezia, Central Italy, in order to evaluate the possible increase of natural radioactivity levels due to the operation of the plant. The concentration of 210Pb ex varies between 258±39 and 1898±385 Bq m −2. The 210Pb ex distribution pattern has been analysed in relation to the structure of the moss carpet (thickness, density) and compared to that of 137Cs. The close correlation between the distribution of 210Pb and 137Cs indicates that the patchiness of the observed distribution is mainly related to the general meteorological conditions and to the health and structure of the organisms. The operation of the power plant did not result in preferential deposition of 210Pb ex at particular sites in the study area.