A methodology for the assessment of accidental copper pollution using the aquatic moss Rhynchostegium ripariodes

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 28; no. 11; pp. 2001 - 2010
• Main Authors: Claveri, B, Morhain, E, Mouvet, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.1994
• ISSN: 0045-6535

Aquatic moss from an unpolluted site was exposed in flow-through laboratory experiments to 40, 80, 160 and 320 ug copper per litre in the presence of 2 mg EDTA per litre for 1, 6, 12, 24, 72 and 168 h to simulate accidental discharge. The EDTA simulated the chelating properties of natural waters. Exposure was followed by a depuration period of 240 h. Mosses were dried, acid-digested and analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry; anions were measured by ion chromatography. Data were examined by least squares analysis, linear regression and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Uptake and depuration kinetics were described by non-linear and decreasing logarithmic functions, respectively. Most copper accumulated in 96 h and reached equilibrium in 168 h. An equilibrium was attained in the depuration phases at a concentration higher than the initial value. The mean aqueous copper concentration during the discharge, and its duration, could be estimated if the mosses were sampled before the aqueous copper level started to decrease. Maximal copper concentration in the mosses could also be assessed if they were examined during the first 10 d of depuration. There are 31 references.