Atmospheric deposition of metals in Romania studied by biomonitoring using the epiphytic moss Hypnum cupressiforme

The results obtained from a study using the epiphytic moss species Hypnum cupressiforme to estimate heavy-metal atmospheric deposition in the province of Moldavia (Romania) are presented. The present study is a part of a biomonitoring programme in Moldavia and could serve as a starting point for further planning of biomonitoring using new moss species in regions where the commonly used Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi are not present. Moss samples were collected within the catchment of Prut, a border river between Romania, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, at a total of 25 sampling points and analysed for a wide range of elements, most of them heavy metals. The samples were analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis using epithermal neutrons (ENAA) for 40 elements. Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the elements Cd, Tl, Pb, V, Cr, Ni, Zn, As, Mo, Ag, In, and Bi were determined. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used for the determination of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Distribution maps were drawn for nine elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu. Fe, Pb, Se, V, and Zn). By means of moss monitoring, it was possible to characterize most of the industrial and local sources of pollution within the studied area. The values are lower than those found in the western part of Romania, and the distribution of certain elements (As, Cu, Zn) reflects the predominant agricultural activities in eastern Romania. The highest levels of elements were found in the most industrialised and populated areas of Moldavia. Significant correlations were observed for the results obtained by different analytical techniques.