Use of native mosses as biomonitors of heavy metals and nitrogen deposition in the surroundings of two steel works

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 78; no. 8; pp. 965 - 971
• Main Authors: González-Miqueo, L., Elustondo, D., Lasheras, E., Santamaría, JM
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; air pollution; Applied sciences; arsenic; atmospheric deposition; Biomonitoring; Bryopsida - metabolism; cadmium; chromium; Contamination factor; copper; environmental monitoring; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Hypnum; Hypnum cupressiforme; indicator species; Industrial pollution; Industrial Waste; Industry; lead; mercury; metals; Metals, Heavy - analysis; mosses and liverworts; nickel; nitrogen; Nitrogen - metabolism; Pollution; Principal Component Analysis; Spain; Steel; steel industry; vanadium; Wind; zinc; Spain; Europe; Biomonitoring; Contamination factor; Hypnum cupressiforme; Industrial pollution; Atmospheric condition; Musci; Pollutant behavior; Volatility; Mobility; Bryophyta; Biological indicator; Nitrogen; Biological monitoring; Heavy metal; Persistence; Trace element; Industrial waste; Pollution; Trend analysis; Solid waste; Slag; Poison; Mercury
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.12.028

A biomonitoring survey using the moss species Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. was conducted in the surroundings of two steel plants located in the North of Spain. Levels of V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and N were determined. Very high concentrations in the areas of study were detected when compared to nearby unaffected regions. Similar trends were observed for all the elements in the differently orientated transects, showing an appreciable influence of the NW prevailing winds of the region in the dispersion of pollutants, as well as a clear decreasing gradient in the concentrations of metals in mosses within a distance of 1500 meters from the facilities. A differentiation between the elements emitted by the chimney as result of the industrial activity (V, Cr, Ni, Cu and As) and those with a high presence in steel slag deposits (Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb) was observed. The range of contamination was also established by means of the Contamination Factor, indicating a category 4 out of 6 categories, which shows the high levels reported in the areas of study. A different dynamic was registered for nitrogen regarding the rest of the heavy metals analysed except for Hg, probably due to the elevated volatility and mobility of both elements, as well as their high persistence in the atmosphere.