Comparison of dry and living Sphagnum palustre moss samples in determining their biocumulative capability as biomonitoring tools

Abstract

Dry and living Sphagnum palustre moss samples were compared in parallel in order to study their biocumulative capability as biomonitoring tools. The two biomonitoring forms were used and compared to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of both preparation approaches and to choose the most suitable tool. The study was performed in an urban area to identify the main pollution sources. Cluster Analysis and Principal Components Analysis were used in order to identify specific element profiles attributed to various sources impacting both dry and living plant composition. A large number of tracer elements were initially tested by multivariate statistical data treatment but it turned out that a much smaller number of them could be used in modeling. Consequently, future monitoring can be performed using fewer tracers without losing significant information. Environmetric results were compared with absolute concentration levels of the indicated tracer elements and also compared at various locations. The contribution of pollution sources to the total concentration of elements in biomonitors was determined.

Keywords:

• Environmetrics
• modeling
• bioindication
• Sphagnum palustre
• air pollution
• trace metals

Notes

*CSU—Combined Standard Uncertainties.

**LOD—Detection Limit.

***GUT—Gdańsk University of Technology.

*SD—Standard Deviation.

*PC—Principal Component.

**including tracers indicating oil refinery, coal burning and vehicle transportation impacts.