Temporal and spatial trends 1990 -2010 of heavy metal accumulation in mosses in Slovakia

Abstract

The use of mosses as biomonitor of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in Slovakia started more than 30 years ago in connection with the problems of the forest dying in Slovakia.1990s, within the framework of UNECE ICP Vegetation programme, systematic studies using moss were carried on in Slovakia net 16x16 km , and the results were presented in the European Atlas Atmospheric Heavy Metal Deposition in Europe – Estimations Based on Moss Analysis. It is assumed that in the Slovakia SK a large gradient of the atmospheric deposition load of elements exists because part of the SK territory belongs to the most polluted areas in central Europe known as the ‘Black Triangle II’. In order to recognise the distribution of element deposition in the SK, the moss monitoring technique, also known as biomonitoring, was applied to the whole territory in 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2005 and 2010. The application of mosses as biomonitors of trace elements in selected Slovak industrial areas, mining country, and National parks affected by anthropogenic activity is reviewed. Moss was successfully used also to study temporal and spatial deposition of N and S. A combination of analytical data NAA, and AAS in our case with principle component analysis and correlation factor allowed pollution source characterization and apportioning in the sampled areas: Central Spiš effect of heavy metals ; Aluminium plant Žiar nad Hronom; Thermal power plant Horná Nitra; Central Slovakia mining area of Staré Hory, Ľubietová, Špania dolina ; Beskydy north part of Slovakia- influence of Poland and Czech pollutants ; High Tatra National Park TANAP and Low Tatra National Park NAPANT

Keywords

• air pollution,biomonitoring,heavy metals

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