Trace deposition biomonitoring

Lucaciu, A., Timofte, L., Culicov, O. et al. (2004) Atmospheric deposition of trace elements in Romania studied by the moss biomonitoring technique. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 49(1-3), 533-48. 

Berg, T., O. R set and E. Steinnes Moss (Hylocomium splendens) used as biomonitor of atmospheric trace element deposition estimation of uptake efficiencies, Atmos. Environ. 29 (3) (1995) 353-360. 

Monaci et al. (1997) performed a lichen-biomonitoring study in Siena by means of two different methods. The pattern of air quality in the study area was examined on the basis of the in situ frequency of different species of epiphytic lichens, i.e. using their species-specific sensitivity to the complex mixture of phytotoxic pollutants in the urban environment. The distribution of trace elements was evaluated quantitatively by an analysis of thalli of a tolerant species, P. caperata, known to be a reliable bioaccumulator of persistent atmospheric pollutants. The values obtained for Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and S were significantly higher in Sienese lichens over and above controls. Traffic was found to be the major source of atmospheric pollution. The pattern of trace-elemental deposition did not always coincide with air quality. lAP values were found to reflect essentially the emission of gaseous phytotoxic pollutants in the urban environment. 

Bargagli et al. (1997) performed a study which applied a method of passive biomonitoring of trace element deposition in urban, industrial and reference areas in Italy, especially in Tuscany, Veneto and Friuli, by means of epiphytic lichens, mainly P. caperata, P. sulcata and X. parietina. Despite the fact that the Pb content of gasoline in Italy was lowered from 0.4 to 0.15 g in 1991, samples of P. caperata collected in the urban environment of Siena still contained considerable amounts of Pb. The data presented in this study included average amounts of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in lichens from five urban areas in northern and central Italy, from the entire region of Veneto, Tuscany and from remote areas in Calabria. It was shown that the pattern of urban pollution was characterized to a great extent by high values of Al, Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb. Traffic appeared to play a prominent role as these metals are known to be released by vehicular activity. 

Bargagli, R., Nimis, P.L., Monaci, F., 1997. Lichen biomonitoring of trace element deposition in urban, industrial and reference areas of Italy. J. Trace Elem. Med. Biol. 11, 173-175. 

Sloof, J.E., 1995. Lichens as quantitative biomonitors for atmospheric trace-element deposition, using transplants. Atmosph. Environ. 29, 11-20. 

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