Mosses as bioindicators of atmospheric deposition of Tl, Hg and As in Kosovo

ABSTRACT

Air pollution is an increasing challenge for modern society globally, and it is a very common problem in Kosovo. In this work, the atmospheric deposition of Tl, Hg and As was studied using mosses as natural samplers. Moss samples (Homalothecium sericeum (Hedw.) Schimp. 1851, Hypnum cupressiforme Hedwig. 1801, and Pseudoscleropodium purum (Hedw.) M.Fleisch) were collected, cleaned, digested and then analysed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Statistical analysis and spatial distribution maps were performed to explain the obtained results. Median concentrations in mg/kg were 0.017 mg/kg for Tl, 0.088 mg/kg for Hg and 0.172 mg/kg for As. There were also extreme concentrations for Tl and As related to the industrial pollution sources such as the Trepça mine facilities in the town of Mitrovica, a thermoelectric coal power plant in the town of Obiliq and a cement factory in the town of Hani i Elezit. This indicates that the main industries causing pollution in Kosovo are mining processes and thermal power plant operations.

KEYWORDS:

• Mosses
• thallium
• mercury
• arsenic
• air pollution
• statistics

Acknowledgement

We thank the Kosovo Agency for Environment Protection and Afrim Berisha for their collaboration during this research project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Musaj Paçarizi

Musaj Paçarizi, PhD and Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Prishtinë, Kosovo.

Trajče Stafilov

Trajče Stafilov, is full professor at the Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia.

Robert Šajn

Robert Šajn, PhD and works at the Geological Survey of Slovenia.

Krste Tašev

Krste Tašev, PhD candidate, Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia.

Flamur Sopaj

Flamur Sopaj, PhD and Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Prishtinë, Kosovo.