Using moss and lichens in biomonitoring of heavy-metal contamination of forest areas in southern and north-eastern Poland

Publication date: 15 June 2018
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volume 627
Author(s): Andrzej Kłos, Zbigniew Ziembik, Małgorzata Rajfur, Agnieszka Dołhańczuk-Śródka, Zbigniew Bochenek, Jarle W. Bjerke, Hans Tømmervik, Bogdan Zagajewski, Dariusz Ziółkowski, Dominik Jerz, Maria Zielińska, Paweł Krems, Piotr Godyń, Michał Marciniak, Paweł Świsłowski
In the years 2014–2016 biomonitoring studies were conducted in the forest areas of south and north-eastern Poland: the Karkonosze Mountains, the Beskidy Mountains, the Borecka Forest, the Knyszyńska Forest and the Białowieska Forest. This study used epigeic moss Pleurozium schreberi and epiphytic lichens Hypogymnia physodes. Samples were collected in spring, summer and autumn. Approximately 500 samples of moss and lichens were collected for the study. In the samples, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations were determined. Based on the obtained results, the studied areas were ranked by extent of heavy-metal deposition: Beskidy > Karkonosze Mountains > forests of north-eastern Poland. Some seasonal changes in concentrations of metals accumulated in moss and lichens were also indicated. There was observed, i.a., an increase in Cd concentration at the beginning of the growing season, which may be related to low emissions during the heating season. Analysis of the surface distribution of deposition of metals in the studied areas showed a significant contribution of nearby territorial emissions and unidentified local emission sources. The contribution of distant emission to Zn, Hg and Pb deposition levels in the Karkonosze and Beskidy region was also indicated.

Graphical abstract

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