Heavy Metals in Snow and Some Indicator Plants in Estonia

Abstract

The content of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb) in snow cover and four indicator plants (2 yr Scots pine needles; Hypogymnia physodes; Cladina spp., mainly C. rangiferina; Pleurozium schreberii) was studied. Some high contents were noted in Kurtna, north-eastern Estonia, near a large industrial centre. In general, the content of heavy metals in snow and plants was not higher in the industrial North Estonia than in South Estonia or on Vilsandi Island on the western coast. A considerable part of the heavy metal load comes from natural sources and distant regional sources. The level of heavy metal pollution in Estonia is similar to that in South Finland.