Spatial distribution of PAH concentrations and stable isotope signatures (δ13C, δ15N) in mosses from three European areas – Characterization by multivariate analysis

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations and N, C stable isotope signatures were determined in mosses Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. from 61 sites of 3 European regions: Île-de-France (France); Navarra (Spain); the Swiss Plateau and Basel area (Switzerland). Total PAH concentrations of 100-700 ng g(-1), as well as δ(13)C values of -32 to -29‰ and δ(15)N values of -11 to -3‰ were measured. Pearson correlation tests revealed opposite trends between high molecular weight PAH (4-6 aromatic rings) content and δ(13)C values. Partial Least Square regressions explained the very significant correlations (r > 0.91, p < 0.001) between high molecular weight PAH concentrations by local urban land use (<10 km) and environmental factors such as elevation and pluviometry. Finally, specific correlations between heavy metal and PAH concentrations were attributed to industrial emissions in Switzerland and road traffic emissions in Spain.

Lung Cancer Mortality and Topography: A Xuanwei Case Study

“…Previous studies have stated that the death rates from some diseases (e.g., lung cancer, cardiovascular) are usually correlated with some topographic factors, such as numerical elevation or altitude [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. The current study also demonstrated that spatial variations of lung cancer mortality in Xuanwei were quantitatively associated with topographic characteristics at the village scale.…”

Mosses as an integrating tool for monitoring PAH atmospheric deposition: Comparison with total deposition and evaluation of bioconcentration factors. A year-long case-study

“…In this way, biomonitors like conifer needles (Ratola et al, 2010), deciduous leaves (De Nicola et al, 2013), lichens (Blasco et al, 2011) and mosses/bryophytes (Foan et al, 2014) can be a useful strategy to monitor the exposure of wildlife and human populations to these pollutants. Due to the lack of root system and cuticle, as well as their high cationic exchange capacity and surface area to volume ratio, mosses are excellent subjects for biomonitoring (Harmens et al, 2013).…”

Relationship between site-specific nitrogen concentrations in mosses and measured wet bulk atmospheric nitrogen deposition across Europe

“…For ectohydric moss species, the lack of a well-developed root system, vascular system and protective cuticle means that they receive and take up water, nutrients and contaminants mainly from atmospheric deposition (dry, wet and occult). Hence, such mosses have shown to be suitable indicators of atmospheric deposition of, for example, nitrogen (Harmens et al, 2011;Pitcairn et al, 2006;Salemaa et al, 2008;Solga et al, 2005;Zechmeister et al, 2008), heavy metals (Harmens et al, 2010;Harmens et al, 2012;Schröder et al, 2010b) and selected persistent organic pollutants (Foan et al, 2010(Foan et al, , 2014Harmens et al, 2013a). The moss monitoring technique provides a complementary, time-integrated measure of element deposition from the atmosphere to terrestrial systems.…”