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Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals and Other Elements in Belgrade Using the Moss Biomonitoring Technique and Neutron Activation Analysis

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Abstract

This study aimed at assessing atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and other elements using the moss genera Brachythecium sp. (B. rutabulum and B. salebrosum) and Eurhynchium sp. (E. hians and E. striatum) collected in autumn 2004 in the urban area of Belgrade. The concentrations of 36 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Tb, Dy, Hf, Ta, W, Hg, Th, U) were determined in moss and local topsoil samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The concentration of elements in moss positively correlated to those obtained for topsoil. High enrichment factors for As, Zn, Mo, Br, Sb, Se, Hg and Cl, calculated to continental crust composition, gave an evidence for anthropogenic impact on urban area, mainly due to intensive vehicular traffic and fossil fuel combustion. The concentration of elements in moss, characteristic for fossil fuel combustion, obtained in this study were substantially lower than in the previous investigation (2000) conducted in the area of Belgrade. The level of concentrations for V, Cr, Ni, and As in moss from this study correlated to those measured for neighboring countries, and were several times higher than the base-level data from low polluted areas. The level of accumulated elements in both investigated moss genera were similar and all studied species could be combined for biomonitoring purposes in urban areas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Physics, Institute of Physics, Pregrevica 118, 11080, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro

    Mira Aničić & Milica Tomašević

  2. Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, JINR, Joliot Curie 6, 141980, Dubna, Russia

    Marina V. Frontasyeva

  3. The Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro

    Aleksandar Popović

Authors
  1. Mira Aničić
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  2. Marina V. Frontasyeva
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  3. Milica Tomašević
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  4. Aleksandar Popović
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Correspondence to Mira Aničić.

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Aničić, M., Frontasyeva, M.V., Tomašević, M. et al. Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals and Other Elements in Belgrade Using the Moss Biomonitoring Technique and Neutron Activation Analysis. Environ Monit Assess 129, 207–219 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9354-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9354-y

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