Atmospheric deposition of arsenic and selenium across Canada using Sphagnum moss as a biomonitor.
A biomonitoring study was made of the atmospheric deposition of arsenic and selenium across northern Canada utilizing Sphagnum fuscum moss. Intensive sampling was carried out adjacent to the smelter at Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. An average background concentration of arsenic in the moss of 0.66 mg kg-1 was determined, while most selenium concentrations were below the detection limit of 0.2 mg kg-1. Elevated arsenic concentrations were found in the vicinity of the mining and smelting areas of Flin Flon, Manitoba, and Atikokan, Ontario. High concentrations of selenium were detected only near Rouyn-Noranda. Both arsenic and selenium occurred in moss at concentrations lower than found in Canadian soils.
Glooschenko
W A
WA
National Water Research Institute, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
Arafat
N
N
D000397:Air Pollution; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis*; D002170:Canada; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005843:Geography; D010944:Plants / Q000032:analysis*; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis*
D012643:Selenium; D001151:Arsenic