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Atmosphere
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Atmospheric Heavy Metal and Nitrogen Deposition Using Mosses as Biomonitors
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Atmospheric Heavy Metal and Nitrogen Deposition Using Mosses as Biomonitors

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2020) | Viewed by 20161

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Antoaneta Ene

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 800008 Galati, Romania
Interests: nuclear and atomic analytical techniques; pollutants; nuclear radiations; environmental monitoring; biomonitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Air pollution has a negative impact on various compartments of ecosystems, posing a threat to the natural environment and human health and causing significant economic damage. Due to their specific features, mosses are recognized as one of the main bioindicators and biomonitors of air contamination, with toxic elements including those originating from anthropogenic and natural sources. The determination of elemental concentrations in mosses is easier and cheaper than conventional precipitation analysis, and a much higher sampling density can be achieved by employing moss biomonitoring.

In recent decades, naturally growing mosses have been used successfully in biomonitoring campaigns for checking the atmospheric fallout of heavy metals and nitrogen (N) across Europe, and the approach has been extended in many regions of the world for characterizing multielemental deposition sources. Quantification of heavy metals and N in selected moss species provides a time-integrated measure of the spatial patterns and temporal trends of heavy metal deposition from the atmosphere to terrestrial ecosystems and a good indication of ecosystems at risk from high N deposition.

Manuscripts on all aspects of passive and active moss biomonitoring of air quality, heavy metals, and nitrogen pollution sources are welcome for this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Antoaneta Ene
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • mosses
  • biomonitoring
  • atmospheric deposition
  • heavy metals
  • nitrogen

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3460 KiB  
Article
First Results on Moss Biomonitoring of Trace Elements in the Central Part of Georgia, Caucasus
by Omari Chaligava, Igor Nikolaev, Khetag Khetagurov, Yulia Lavrinenko, Anvar Bazaev, Marina Frontasyeva, Konstantin Vergel and Dmitry Grozdov
Atmosphere 2021, 12(3), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12030317 - 28 Feb 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2733
Abstract
The moss biomonitoring technique was used for assessment of air pollution in the central part of Georgia, Caucasus, in the framework of the UNECE ICP Vegetation. A total of 35 major and trace elements were determined by two complementary analytical techniques, epithermal neutron [...] Read more.
The moss biomonitoring technique was used for assessment of air pollution in the central part of Georgia, Caucasus, in the framework of the UNECE ICP Vegetation. A total of 35 major and trace elements were determined by two complementary analytical techniques, epithermal neutron activation analysis (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Se, B, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Th, and U) and atomic absorption spectrometry (Cu, Cd, and Pb) in the moss samples collected in 2019. Principal Component Analyses was applied to show the association between the elements in the study area. Four factors were determined, of which two are of geogenic origin (Factor 1 including Na, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Th, and U and Factor 3 with As, Sb, and W), mixed geogenic–anthropogenic (Factor 2 with Cl, K, Zn, Se, Br, I, and Cu) and anthropogenic (Factor 4 comprising Ca, Cd, Pb, and Br). Geographic information system (GIS) technologies were used to construct distributions maps of factor scores over the investigated territory. Comparison of the median values with the analogous data of moss biomonitoring in countries with similar climatic conditions was carried out. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Heavy Metal and Nitrogen Deposition Using Mosses as Biomonitors)
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8 pages, 414 KiB  
Article
Estimating Background Values of Potentially Toxic Elements Accumulated in Moss: A Case Study from Switzerland
by Stefano Loppi, Zaida Kosonen and Mario Meier
Atmosphere 2021, 12(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12020177 - 29 Jan 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2164
Abstract
Although the use of moss as biomonitor of air pollution is relatively simple, the interpretation of the data needs reference values. Background values for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn accumulated in moss samples from Switzerland, collected every five years from 1995 to 2015 [...] Read more.
Although the use of moss as biomonitor of air pollution is relatively simple, the interpretation of the data needs reference values. Background values for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn accumulated in moss samples from Switzerland, collected every five years from 1995 to 2015 in the framework of the European Moss Survey, were statistically estimated. These background values can be used as reference for the assessment of spatial and temporal trends, to be expressed in terms of bioaccumulation ratios with actual values. The use of annual background values is of great importance to identify spatial trends, while period-wide background values identify temporal trends. The latter are consistent with those reported in other comprehensive similar biomonitoring studies in Europe and are required to be updated in time, possibly every five years. The use of cutoff values to be used as benchmark for bioaccumulation ratios is invaluable in having a scale for assessing ecological quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Heavy Metal and Nitrogen Deposition Using Mosses as Biomonitors)
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25 pages, 53130 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Spatial Data from Moss Biomonitoring in Czech–Polish Border
by Aneta Svozilíková Krakovská, Vladislav Svozilík, Inga Zinicovscaia, Konstantin Vergel and Petr Jančík
Atmosphere 2020, 11(11), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11111237 - 17 Nov 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3575
Abstract
The purpose of the study was the analysis of spatial data gained by biomonitoring with the use of mosses. A partial goal was set to characterize the regional atmospheric deposition of pollutants in the air based on the results of the analyses and [...] Read more.
The purpose of the study was the analysis of spatial data gained by biomonitoring with the use of mosses. A partial goal was set to characterize the regional atmospheric deposition of pollutants in the air based on the results of the analyses and simultaneously verify the suitability of using mosses as an alternative for monitoring air quality in smaller industrial areas. In total, 93 samples of moss were collected and examined from the area of the Moravian–Silesian Region in the Czech Republic and the area of the Silesian Voivodship in Poland. The samples were analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Based on the analyses performed, 38 elements, which had been evaluated using principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering on principal components, factor analysis, correlation analysis, contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, and pollution load index, were determined. The analyses resulted in a division of elements into a group with its concentrations close to the level of the values of the natural background and the second group of elements identified as emission likely originating from anthropogenic activity (Sm, W, U, Tb, and Th). The likely dominant source of emissions for the studied area was identified. Simultaneously, the results pointed to sources of local importance. The area of interest was divided into clusters according to the prevailing type of pollution and long-distance transmission of pollutants was confirmed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Heavy Metal and Nitrogen Deposition Using Mosses as Biomonitors)
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10 pages, 4513 KiB  
Article
Mosses as Bioindicators of Heavy Metal Air Pollution in the Lockdown Period Adopted to Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Nikita Yushin, Omari Chaligava, Inga Zinicovscaia, Konstantin Vergel and Dmitrii Grozdov
Atmosphere 2020, 11(11), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11111194 - 3 Nov 2020
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4559
Abstract
The coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has had a great negative impact on human health and economies all over the world. To prevent the spread of infection in many countries, including the Russian Federation, public life was restricted. To assess the impact of the taken [...] Read more.
The coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has had a great negative impact on human health and economies all over the world. To prevent the spread of infection in many countries, including the Russian Federation, public life was restricted. To assess the impact of the taken actions on air quality in the Moscow region, in June 2020, mosses Pleurosium shreberi were collected at 19 sites considered as polluted in the territory of the region based on the results of the previous moss surveys. The content of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Pb in the moss samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The obtained values were compared with the data from the moss survey performed in June 2019 at the same sampling sites. Compared to 2019 data, the Cd content in moss samples decreased by 2–46%, while the iron content increased by 3–127%. The content of Cu, Ni, and Pb in mosses decreased at most sampling sites, except for the eastern part of the Moscow region, where a considerable number of engineering and metal processing plants operate. The stay-at-home order issued in the Moscow region resulted in a reduction of vehicle emissions affecting air quality, while the negative impact of the industrial sector remained at the level of 2019 or even increased. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Heavy Metal and Nitrogen Deposition Using Mosses as Biomonitors)
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23 pages, 11173 KiB  
Article
Atmospheric Heavy Metal Deposition in North Macedonia from 2002 to 2010 Studied by Moss Biomonitoring Technique
by Lambe Barandovski, Trajče Stafilov, Robert Šajn, Marina Frontasyeva and Katerina Bačeva Andonovska
Atmosphere 2020, 11(9), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11090929 - 30 Aug 2020
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3750
Abstract
Moss biomonitoring technique was used for a heavy-metal pollution study in Macedonia in the framework of the International Cooperative Program on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops (UNECE IPC Vegetation). Moss samples (n = 72) were collected during the [...] Read more.
Moss biomonitoring technique was used for a heavy-metal pollution study in Macedonia in the framework of the International Cooperative Program on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops (UNECE IPC Vegetation). Moss samples (n = 72) were collected during the summers of 2002, 2005, and 2010. The contents of 41 elements were determined by neutron activation analysis, atomic absorption spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Using factor and cluster analyses, three geogenic factors were determined (Factor 1, including Al, As, Co, Cs, Fe, Hf, Na, Rb, Sc, Ta, Th, Ti, U, V, Zr, and rare-earth elements–RE; Factor 4 with Ba, K, and Sr; and Factor 5 with Br and I), one anthropogenic factor (Factor 2, including Cd, Pb, Sb, and Zn), and one geogenic-anthropogenic factor (Factor 3, including Cr and Ni). The highest anthropogenic impact of heavy metal to the air pollution in the country was from the ferronickel smelter near Kavadraci (Ni and Cr), the lead and zinc mines in the vicinity of Makedonska Kamenica, Probištip, and Kriva Palanka in the eastern part of the country (Cd, Pb, and Zn), and the former lead and zinc smelter plant in Veles. Beside the anthropogenic influences, the lithology and the composition of the soil also play an important role in the distribution of the elements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Heavy Metal and Nitrogen Deposition Using Mosses as Biomonitors)
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Review

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30 pages, 4108 KiB  
Review
Atmospheric Deposition and Element Accumulation in Moss Sampled across Germany 1990–2015: Trends and Relevance for Ecological Integrity and Human Health
by Angela Schlutow, Winfried Schröder and Stefan Nickel
Atmosphere 2021, 12(2), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12020193 - 31 Jan 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2431
Abstract
Deposition of N and heavy metals can impact ecological and human health. This state-of-the-art review addresses spatial and temporal trends of atmospheric deposition as monitored by element accumulation in moss and compares heavy metals Critical Loads for protecting human health and ecosystem’s integrity [...] Read more.
Deposition of N and heavy metals can impact ecological and human health. This state-of-the-art review addresses spatial and temporal trends of atmospheric deposition as monitored by element accumulation in moss and compares heavy metals Critical Loads for protecting human health and ecosystem’s integrity with modelled deposition. The element accumulation due to deposition was measured at up to 1026 sites collected across Germany 1990–2015. The deposition data were derived from chemical transport modelling and evaluated with regard to Critical Loads published in relevant legal regulations. The moss data indicate declining nitrogen and HM deposition. Ecosystem and human health Critical Loads for As, Ni, Zn, and Cr were not exceeded in Germany 2009–2011. Respective Critical Loads were exceeded by Hg and Pb inputs, especially in the low rainfall regions with forest coverage. The Critical Load for Cu was exceeded by atmospheric deposition in 2010 in two regions. Human health Critical Loads for Cd were not exceeded by atmospheric deposition in 2010. However, the maximum deposition in 2010 exceeded the lowest human health Critical Load. This impact assessment was based only on deposition but not on inputs from other sources such as fertilizers. Therefore, the assessment should be expanded with regard to other HM sources and specified for different ecosystem types. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Heavy Metal and Nitrogen Deposition Using Mosses as Biomonitors)
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