Publication Cover
Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A
Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering
Volume 38, 2003 - Issue 11
87
Views
6
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Moss (Hypnum cupressiforme) from Hungary

, , &
Pages 2613-2619 | Received 21 Feb 2003, Published online: 06 Feb 2007
 

Abstract

Mosses of the species Hypnum cupressiforme were collected from different parts of Hungary to investigate the air quality of the region. The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in species were determined. Low molecular weight PAHs (up to three ring compounds) contribute more than 99% to the concentrations of PAHs in Moss samples. The pattern of PAHs suggests local sources rather than long-range transport of contamination in the air. Possible local sources are industrial, urban, and traffic activities. The results indicate incomplete combustion of fuel is largely responsible for the air quality of the area.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully thank Edit Otvos for her help in collecting the moss samples, and the invaluable contribution of Orsolya Farkas for her assistance in the accomplishment of the experiments. The aid of Dr. Imre Kozák in the valuation and interpretation of the results is gratefully acknowledged. The project was partly funded by the Environmental Sciences Partnership Program of the USA State Department and the German-Hungarian Scientific and Technological Cooperation (#D-36/02).

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.