title: The use of mosses as environmental metal pollution indicators.
abstract: The possibility of using mosses as environmental indicators of metal pollution has been investigated. Mosses of the species Bryum argenteum were collected from different parts of Piedmont (Italy), ranging from highly polluted areas to nearly uncontaminated mountain areas. Periodical samplings were planned in every site on a monthly base, in order to check variations of metal uptake throughout one year; correlations with pluviometric and thermal patterns were investigated for all sampling stations. On every moss sample 20 elements, ranging from major (K, P, Al, Ca, Fe and Mg) to minor (Mn, Na, Ti and Zn) and trace (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb and Sr), were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry or graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry, depending on the needed sensitivity. Statistical analyses, carried out with principal component analysis and cluster analysis methods, revealed that a good correlation exists between metal content in mosses and pollution degree in the areas sampled.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Eastern Piedmont, Spalto Marengo, 33-15100 Alessandria, Italy. aceto@mfn.unipmn.it
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aceto
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abollino
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Conca
authors.forename: Mery
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malandrino
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mentasti
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sarzanini
mesh_terms: D019068:Bryopsida; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants