New Results from Air Pollution Studies in Romania

Atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Romania and neighboring countries: comparative evaluation on the basis of all European moss monitoring

“…But in the Baia Mare region which is affected by the nonferrous metal industry, arsenic concentrations exceed 90 µg/g (Stan et al, 2001;Culicov et al, 2002). Strongly elevated arsenic levels were found also in the northern part of Transylvania (Zagra, Letca, and Magoaja) where there is a long tradition of ore mining.…”

“…As a result, the environment in the area has reached a state of deep ecological stress. For example, nonferrous metal processing plants pollute the surroundings of Copsa Mica, Zlatna and Baia Mare with heavy metals such as copper lead, tin, and cadmium, with the maximum concentrations exceeding by far the permitted norms (Stan et al, 2001). Thus, lead levels in Copsa Mica factories sometimes reached levels that were 1000 times higher than the allowable international limits.…”

“…In moss samples from the Baia Mare region, the concentration of Cd exceeds 5 µg/g (Culicov et al, 2002). In another similar moss monitoring study (Stan et al, 2001) with H. cupressiforme all Cd concentrations (epithermal neutron activation analysis, ENAA) were between 0.23 µg/g and 55 µg/g. Unfortunately the authors of this study did not give any comment for such high concentrations of cadmium in moss.…”

“…Moreover, the pattern of Cd distribution showed increased concentrations in the Zagra-Letca-Magoaja region, probably a result of ore mining. A high Cd concentration observed in Aiud may be explained by the presence of an oil-fired power station without proper filters (Stan et al, 2001).…”

“…Moreover, 70 moss samples of H. cupressiforme were collected in the Transylvanian Plateau in 1999 within the frame of the project "Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals in Rural and Urban Areas of Romania Studied by the Moss Biomonitoring Technique Employing Nuclear and Related Analytical Techniques". In total, 35 chemical elements including heavy metals were identified by NAA methods (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Russia) and results of this study were published (Stan et al, 2001). The special investigation of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals around the lead and copper-zinc smelters in Baia Mare using mosses (P. schreberi, P. purum, and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus) as bioindicators showed that the concentrations of Pb, As, Cu, and Cd are high compared with those observed in other regions of Europe with similar industries.…”