Moss species (Homalothecium lutescens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Brachythecium glareosum, and Campthotecium lutescens) were used as suitable sampling media for biomonitoring the origin of heavy-metal pollution in the lead-zinc (Pb-Zn) mine "Toranica" near the Kriva Palanka town, Eastern Macedonia. The contents of 20 elements-silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), Pb, strontium (Sr), vanadium (V), and (Zn) were determined by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. Data processing was applied with combinations of multivariate statistical methods: factor analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis. Moss' responsiveness to the atmospheric distribution of the selected elements was investigated in correlation to the specific geology of the region (soil dusting). Lithogenic distribution was characterized with the distribution of three dominant geochemical associations: F1: Al-Li-V-Cr-Ni-Co, F2: Ba-Ca-Sr, and F3: Cd-Zn-Pb-Cu. Spatial distribution was constructed for visualization of the factor deposition. Furthermore, air distribution (passive biomonitoring) versus soil geochemistry of the analyzed elements was examined. Significant correlations were singled out for Pb, Zn, and Cd and for Mg(moss)/Na(soil). Characteristic lithological anomaly characterized the presence of the oldest geological volcanic rocks. Zone 1 (Pb-Zn mine surrounding) presents a unique area with hydrothermal action of Pb-Zn mineralization leading to polymetallic enrichments in soil. This phenomenon strongly affects the environment, which is a natural geochemical imprint in this unique area (described with the strong dominance of the geochemical association Cd-Zn-Pb-Cu).

The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) Electro Thermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETAAS), and Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CVAAS) for the analysis of total content for 23 elements. Deposition and distribution of metals in the air was determined by biomonitoring a widely prevalent moss species from a lead and zinc polluted area of the "Toranica" mine, Republic of Macedonia. Moss species Hypnum cupressiforme, Homalothecium lutescens, Campthotecium lutescens and Brachythecium glareosum were used as very specific and suitable sampling biomonitor. Moss samples were digested by the application of a closed wet digestion using a microwave digestion system. The applied instrumental techniques were useful in order to determine a wider range of content for the analyzed elements; macro contents of Ca, Mg, K and P to trace contents of As, Cd, Co, Ga, and Hg. From data processing the values for Pb and Zn were used as anthropogenic markers. Higher contents of As, Cd and Cu in moss samples from this region were also determined, confirming the impact of mining activities on anthropogenic air pollution in this area. Multivariate factoring identifies four chemical associations: F1 (As-Cd-Ca-Cu-Fe-Mn-Pb-Zn), F2 (Co-Cr-Li-V), F3 (Hg-P) and F4 (K).

No abstract