Quantitative assessment of metal elements using moss species as biomonitors in downwind area of lead-zinc mine

Abstract

Distributions of a total of 21 elements were monitored in significantly lead-zinc polluted area using moss species (Hypnum cupressiforme and Camptothecium lutescens) used interchangeably, covering a denser sampling network. Interspecies comparison was conducted using Box-Cox transformed values, due to their skewed distribution. The median concentrations of trace elements in the both mosses examined decreased in the following order: Fe>Mn>Zn>Pb>Cu>Ni∼Cr∼As>Co>Cd>Hg. For almost all analyzed elements, H. cupressiforme revealed higher bio-accumulative abilities. For arsenic contents was obtained ER-value in favor of C. lutescens. The ER for the element contents according to the distance from the pollution source in selected areas was significantly enriched for the anthropogenic introduced elements As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. After Box-Cox transformation of the content values, T was significantly different for As (4.82), Cd (3.84), Cu (2.95), Pb (4.38), and Zn (4.23). Multivariate factor analysis singled out four elemental associations: F1 (Al-Co-Cr-Fe-Li-Ni-V), F2 (Cd-Pb-Zn), F3 (Ca-Mg-Na-P) and F4 (Cu) with a total variance of 89%. Spatial distribution visualized the hazardously higher contents of "hot spots" of Cd > 1.30 mg/kg, Cu > 22 mg/kg, Pb > 130 mg/kg and Zn > 160 mg/kg. Therefore, main approach in moss biomonitoring should be based on data management of the element distribution by reducing the effect of extreme values (considering Box-Cox data transformation); the interspecies variation in sampling media does not deviate in relation to H. cupressiforme vs. C. lutescens.

Environmental Pollution With Heavy Metals in the Republic of Macedonia

“…For Pb and Zn hazardous contents were found only in the affected area >130 and 160 mg kg -1 , respectively ( Figure 32). [100] Aerial distribution of dust particles is certainly in relation to the distance at which they can reach. Therefore, we set up a functional dependence of the content of heavy metals versus distance from the emission source.…”

“…Figure 31. Location of the study area (a) and sampling network locations (b) [100] Factor 2 (Cd-Pb-Zn) and Factor 4 (Cu) are directly connected with the corpuscle dust from the surface layer of flotation tailings and soil spread to the atmosphere by the winds, through which is performed atmospheric distribution of these elements in the vicinity of the mine. The areal distribution of these anthropogenic elements (Figures 32, 33 (Figure 33).…”

Geogenic and Anthropogenic Moss Responsiveness to Element Distribution Around a Pb–Zn Mine, Toranica, Republic of Macedonia

“…Table 3 lists average data from the present analyses divided by zones, and corresponding data from a similar Pb-Zn mine areas in Macedonia, as well as the whole territory of the Republic of Macedonia, are also given for comparison (Balabanova et al , 2015Barandovski et al 2013). It can be seen that aluminum content varies insignificantly compared with the whole territory of the Republic of Macedonia.…”

“…The rest of the potentially hazardous elements were distributed in ranges for As (0.03-10.5 mg/kg), Cd (0.06-1.62 mg/kg), and Ni (0.45-9.43 mg/kg). Pb-Zn deposits usually are characterized with greater Mn contents as well (Balabanova et al 2015). Therefore, the Mn contents ranged from 30.4 to 815 mg/kg; therefore, they can be considered as geo-enrichments in the study area.…”

“…The Republic of Macedonia does not diverge from this global framework of pollution of the environment by certain toxic metals. The studies implemented so far show that certain areas in the territory of the Republic of Macedonia are stricken by the anthropogenic introduction of different chemical elements in high contents in both air and soil (Angelovska et al 2014;Bačeva et al 2011Bačeva et al , 2012Bačeva et al , 2013Bačeva et al , 2014Balabanova et al 2010Balabanova et al , 2011Balabanova et al , 2012Balabanova et al , 2014Balabanova et al , 2015Boev et al 2013; Barandovski et al 2008Barandovski et al , 2012Barandovski et al , 2013Barandovski et al , 2015Stafilov 2014;Stafilov et al 2010aStafilov et al , b, 2013.…”