Abstract
The biomonitors Hypnum cupressiforme and Xanthoria parietina were used to assess the deposition of trace elements and their possible origin in the Prades Mountains, a protected Mediterranean forest area of NE Spain with several pollution sources nearby. Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V, and Zn were determined in 16 locations within this protected area. Soil trace element concentrations were also ascertained to calculate enrichment factors (EF) and use them to distinguish airborne from soilborne trace element inputs. In addition, lichen richness was measured to further assess atmospheric pollution. EF demonstrated to be useful not only for the moss but also for the lichen. Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn presented values higher than three in both biomonitors. These trace elements were also the main ones emitted by the potential sources of pollutants. The distance between sampling locations and potential pollution sources was correlated with the concentrations of Cu, Sb, and Zn in the moss and with Cr, Ni, and Sb in the lichen. Lichen richness was negatively correlated with lichen Cu, Pb, and V concentrations on dry weight basis. The study reflected the remarkable influence that the pollution sources have on the presence of trace elements and on lichen species community composition in this natural area. The study highlights the value of combining the use of biomonitors, enrichment factors, and lichen diversity for pollution assessment to reach a better overview of both trace elements’ impact and the localization of their sources.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.References
Bargagli, R. (1998). Trace elements in terrestrial plants: an ecophysiological approach to biomonitoring and biorecovery. Berlin: Springer.
Bargagli, R., Brown, D. H., & Nelli, L. (1995). Metal biomonitoring with mosses: procedures for correcting for soil contamination. Environmental Pollution, 89, 169–175.
Bargagli, F., Monaci, F., Borghini, F., Bravi, F., & Agnorelli, C. (2002). Mosses and lichens as biomonitors of trace metals. A comparison study on Hypnum cupressiforme and Parmelia caperata in a former mining district in Italy. Environmental Pollution, 116, 279–287.
Basile, A., Sorbo, S., Aprile, G., Conte, B., & Castaldo Cobianchi, C. (2008). Comparison of the heavy metal bioaccumulation capacity of an epiphytic moss and an epiphytic lichen. Environmental Pollution, 151, 401–407.
Brunialti, G., & Frati, L. (2007). Biomonitoring of nine elements by the lichen Xanthoria parietina in Adriatic Italy: a retrospective study over a 7-year time span. The Science of the Total Environment, 387, 289–300.
Carballeira, A., Couto, J. A., & Fernández, J. A. (2002). Estimation of background levels of various elements in terrestrial mosses from Galicia (NW Spain). Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 133, 235–252.
Di Lella, L. A., Frati, L., Loppi, S., Protano, G., & Riccobona, F. (2004). Environmental distribution of uranium and other trace elements at selected Kosovo sites. Chemosphere, 65, 861–865.
Duyck, C., Miekeley, N., Porto da Silveira, C. L., Aucélio, R. Q., Campos, R. C., Grinberg, P., & Brandao, G. P. (2007). The determination of trace elements in crude oil and its heavy fractions by atomic spectrometry. Spectrochimica Acta B, 62, 939–951.
Fernandez, J. A., Rey, A., & Carballeira, A. (2000). An extended study of heavy metal deposition in Galicia NW Spain based on moss analysis. The Science of the Total Environment, 254, 31–44.
Fernández, J. A., Ederra, A., Nunez, E., Martinez-Abaigar, J., Infante, M., Heras, R., Elias, M. J., Mazimpaka, V., & Carballeira, A. (2002). Biomonitoring of metal deposition in northern Spain by moss analysis. The Science of the Total Environment, 300, 115–127.
Gerdol, R., & Bragazza, L. (2006). Effects of altitude on element accumulation in alpine moss. Chemosphere, 64, 810–816.
González-Miqueo, L., Elustondio, D., Lasheras, E., & Santamaria, J. M. (2010). Use of native mosses as biomonitors of heavy metals and nitrogen deposition in the surroundings of two steel works. Chemosphere, 78, 965–971.
Harmens, H., Norris, D. A., Koerber, G. R., Buse, A., Steinnes, E., & Ruhling, A. (2008). Temporal trends (1990–2000) in the concentration of cadmium, lead and mercury in mosses across Europe. Environmental Pollution, 151, 368–376.
Herpin, U., Markert, B., Weckert, V., Berlekamp, J., Friese, K., Siewers, U., & Lieth, H. (1997). Retrospective analysis of heavy metal concentrations at selected locations in the Federal Republic of Germany using moss material from a herbarium. The Science of the Total Environment, 205, 1–12.
Loppi, S., & Bonini, I. (2000). Lichens and mosses as biomonitors of trace elements in areas with thermal springs and fumarole activity (Mt. Amiata, Central Italy). Chemosphere, 41, 1333–1336.
Nali, C., Balducci, E., Frati, L., Paoli, L., Loppi, S., & Lorenzini, G. (2007). Integrated biomonitoring of air quality with plants and lichens: a case study on ambient ozone from central Italy. Chemosphere, 67, 2169–2176.
Nimis, P. L., Castello, M., & Perotti, M. (1990). Lichens and sulphur dioxide pollution in La Spezia,(Northern Italy). Lichenology, 22, 333–334.
Nimis, P. L., Lazzarin, A., Lazzarin, G., & Skert, N. (2000). Biomonitoring of trace elements with lichens in Veneto (NE Italy). The Science of the Total Environment, 255, 97–111.
Nimis, P. L., Andreussi, S., & Pittao, E. (2001). The performance of two lichen species as bioaccumulators of trace metals. The Science of the Total Environment, 275, 43–51.
Nriagu, J. O. (1996). A history of global metal pollution. Science, 272, 223–224.
Nriagu, J. O., & Pacyna, J. M. (1988). Quantitative assessment of worldwide contamination of air, water and soils by trace metals. Nature, 333, 134–139.
Odabasi, M., Muezzinoglu, A., & Bozlaker, A. (2002). Ambient concentrations and dry deposition fluxes of trace elements in Izmir, Turkey. Atmospheric Environment, 36, 5841–5851.
Ötvos, E., Pazmandi, T., & Tuba, Z. (2003). First national survey of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Hungary by the analysis of mosses. The Science of the Total Environment, 309, 151–160.
Peñuelas, J., & Filella, I. (2002). Metal pollution in Spanish terrestrial ecosystems during the twentieth century. Chemosphere, 46, 501–505.
Rühling, Å. (1994). Atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Europe estimated by moss analysis. In 7th International Bioindicators Symposium, Kuopio, Finland.
Sakalys, J., Kvietkus, K., Sucharova, J., Suchara, I., & Valiulis, D. (2009). Changes in total concentrations and assessed background concentration of heavy metals in moss in Lithuania and the Czech Republic between 1995 and 2005. Chemosphere, 76, 91–97.
Sardans, J., & Peñuelas, J. (2005). Trace element accumulation in the moss Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. and the trees Quercus ilex L. and Pinus halepensis Mill. in Catalonia. Chemosphere, 60, 1293–1307.
Sardans, J., & Peñuelas, J. (2006). Introduction of the factor of partitioning in the lithogenic enrichment factors of trace element bioaccumulation in plant tissues. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 115, 473–498.
Sardans, J., & Peñuelas, J. (2007). Drought changes the dynamics of trace element accumulation in a Mediterranean Quercus ilex forest. Environmental Pollution, 147, 567–583.
Sardans, J., & Peñuelas, J. (2008). Drought changes nutrient sources, content and stoichiometry in the bryophyte Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. growing in a Mediterranean forest. Journal of Bryology, 30, 59–65.
Sardans, J., Peñuelas, J., & Estiarte, M. (2008). Warming and drought change trace element bioaccumulation patterns in a Mediterranean shrubland. Chemosphere, 70, 874–885.
Sardans, J., Montes, F., & Peñuelas, J. (2010). Determination of As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb in biological samples by modern electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 65, 97–112.
Scerbo, R., Possenti, L., Lampugnani, L., Ristori, T., Barale, R., & Barghigiani, C. (1999). Lichen (Xanthoria parietina) biomonitoring of trace element contamination and air quality assessment in Livorno Province (Tuscany, Italy). The Science of the Total Environment, 241, 91–106.
Scerbo, R., Ristori, T., Possenti, L., Lampugnani, L., Barale, R., & Barghigiani, C. (2002). Lichen (Xanthoria parietina) biomonitoring of trace element contamination and air quality assessment in Pisa Province (Tuscany, Italy). The Science of the Total Environment, 286, 27–40.
Spagnuolo, V., Terracciano, S., & Giordano, S. (2009). Trace element content and molecular biodiversity in the epiphytic moss Leptodon smithii: two independent tracers of human disturbance. Chemosphere, 74, 1158–1164.
Wolterbeek, B. (2002). Biomonitoring of trace element air pollution: principles, possibilities and perspectives. Environmental Pollution, 120, 11–21.
Acknowledgments
We thank Núria Castells and Marc Vilahur for their valuable help. This research was supported by the Spanish Government projects CGL2006-04025/BOS, CGC2010-17172 and Consolider Ingenio Montes (CSD2008-00040), by the European project NEU NITROEUROPE (GOCE017841), and by the Catalan Government project SGR 2009–458.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
ESM 1
DOCX 641 kb
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Achotegui-Castells, A., Sardans, J., Ribas, À. et al. Identifying the origin of atmospheric inputs of trace elements in the Prades Mountains (Catalonia) with bryophytes, lichens, and soil monitoring. Environ Monit Assess 185, 615–629 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2579-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2579-z