Abstract
We studied the spatiotemporal variation of the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and the chlorophyll content index (CHL index) in a terrestrial moss, using self-watering transplants distributed in 8 sampling sites that were sampled periodically during up to 4 years. We did not detect any seasonal patterns or difference between the studied sites, and therefore the variation across the sites reflected the influence of environmental variables in the area. We established the reference thresholds associated with physiological stress as −0.212 for PRI and 1.195 for CHL index. Our findings could be applied for biomonitoring atmospheric contamination on the basis of the physiological stress shown by the moss used.
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This study was partly funded by FEDER funds and by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation CTM2011-30305.
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Varela, Z., Aboal, J.R., Rey-Asensio, A. et al. Establishing Reference Values of Spectral Reflectance Indices in Transplants of Pseudoscleropodium purum for Potential Use in Atmospheric Biomonitoring. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 91, 345–348 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-013-1049-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-013-1049-9