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On the Use of Epigaeic Mosses to Biomonitor Atmospheric Deposition of Nitrogen

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Abstract

In this study, we investigated whether the terrestrial moss Pseudoscleropodium purum can be used to biomonitor atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (N). For this purpose, we first determined whether there are any interspecific differences in the concentrations of total N and δ15N between the two species of terrestrial moss most commonly used in biomonitoring studies, P. purum and Hypnum cupressiforme. Second, we determined the spatial distribution of N and δ15N at small and large scales: (1) by analysis of 165 samples from the surroundings of an aluminium smelter and (2) by analysis of 149 samples from sites forming part of a regular 15 × 15–km sampling network in Galicia (northwest Spain). We did not find any interspecific differences in either total N or δ15N. Analysis of δ15N enabled us to identify large-scale spatial patterns of distribution that were congruent with the location of the main N emission sources (unlike the analysis of total N). However, we did not identify any such patterns for the small-scale source of N emission studied. The results show that analysis of δ15N has an advantage compared with the analysis of total N in that it provides information about the source of N rather than about the amount of N received. Furthermore, isotope discrimination appears to occur, with the bryophytes preferentially accumulating the N14 isotope. Although this amplifies the signal of reduced forms, it is not problematical for determining spatial-distribution patterns.

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Acknowledgments

The present study was partly funded by the Xunta de Galicia, project PGIDT05TAM20001PR: “Biomonitorización de la contaminación atmosférica mediante musgos terrestres: revisión y optimización metodológica.” The investigators are grateful to María Arróniz-Crespo and José Antonio Souto for their comments and suggestions.

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  1. Área de Ecología, Departamento de Biología Celular y Ecología, Facultad de Biología, University Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain

    Z. Varela, A. Carballeira, J. A. Fernández & J. R. Aboal

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  1. Z. Varela
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  2. A. Carballeira
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  3. J. A. Fernández
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  4. J. R. Aboal
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Correspondence to Z. Varela.

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Varela, Z., Carballeira, A., Fernández, J.A. et al. On the Use of Epigaeic Mosses to Biomonitor Atmospheric Deposition of Nitrogen. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 64, 562–572 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-012-9866-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-012-9866-0

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