In order to assess the recent impact by traffic-related metals close to a busy motorway, a study is being conducted by the "Hoch-schule fur Wirtschaft und Umwelt NOrtingen-Geislingen" since 1997 at the Autobahn A 8 Stuttgart-Ulm, Baden-WOrttemberg, Germany. In this study, the standardized grass exposure (VDI 3957 Part 2) and the standardized lichens exposure (VDI 3799 Part 2) are used. In connection with a master thesis for the master degree program "Environmental Protection", a recent method with peat mosses was applied for the first time to check the practicability with regard to a long-term monitoring. Furthermore, the heavy metal burdening in the mosses at the three monitoring sites should be detected in relation to the concentrations in the exposed lichens and additionally, the distribution patterns regarding the position of the monitoring sites. Even after the short exposure over only three months, a relevant accumulation of heavy metals could be found in the peat mosses. There were also differences in the heavy metal concentrations between both sites close to the motorway and the reference site. The results indicate partially traffic induced heavy metal burdening. In summary, it can be stated that the sphagnum-bag-technique is well suited for monitoring the heavy metal burdening near a busy motorway. To obtain reliable data for the same exposure time period as with the standardized lichen exposure the next step is now to apply this method over at least one year and four exposure periods.
