Moss bags as sentinels for human safety in mercury-polluted groundwaters

Abstract

An equation to estimate Hg concentrations of <4 μg/L in groundwaters of a polluted area in NE Italy was set out by using transplants of the aquatic moss Rhynchostegium riparioides as trace element bioaccumulators. The equation is derived from a previous mathematical model which was implemented under laboratory conditions. The work aimed at (1) checking the compliance of the uptake kinetics with the model, (2) improving/adapting the model for groundwater monitoring, (3) comparing the performances of two populations of moss collected from different sites, and (4) assessing the environmental impact of Hg contamination on a small river. The main factors affecting Hg uptake in the field were-as expected-water concentration and time of exposure, even though the uptake kinetics in the field were slightly different from those which were previously observed in the lab, since the redox environmental conditions influence the solubility of cationic Fe, which is a negative competitor of Hg(2+). The equation was improved by including the variable 'dissolved oxygen concentration'. A numerical parameter depending on the moss collection site was also provided, since the differences in uptake efficiency were observed between the two populations tested. Predicted Hg concentrations well fitted the values measured in situ (approximately ±50%), while a notable underestimation was observed when the equation was used to predict Hg concentration in a neighbouring river (-96%), probably due to the organic pollution which hampers metal uptake by mosses.

Brachythecium rutabulum and Betula pendula as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution around a chlor-alkali plant in Poland

“…The best way to determine the extent and threat of contamination in the environment for living organisms is by measurement of the levels of contaminants in the specimens themselves (Fernández et al, 2000a;Cesa et al, 2014). The most effective for biomonitoring are bryophytes characterized by a widespread occurrence and abilities to intercept, retain and accumulate pollutants mostly via direct absorption by dry and wet deposition (Aničić et al, 2007;Grangeon et al, 2012).…”

Air Quality during New Year’s Eve: A Biomonitoring Study with Moss

“…Research to date indicates that moss as a biomonitor of air pollution, e.g., heavy metals, is most often used for short exposure periods. Such studies were performed for a minimum of one day [31], several days [32,33] or a week of time [34]. This is mainly related to the fast feedback time about the air condition at the study site [25].…”

Trace elements in the Fontinalis antipyretica from rivers receiving sewage of lignite and glass sand mining industry

“…Owing to these “accumulating bioindicators”, the level of pollutants in the environment can be studied (Remon et al 2013 ). Aquatic mosses are commonly considered invaluable, efficient accumulators of pollutants and ideal indicators of metal contamination (de Traubenberg and Ah-Peng 2004 ; Pekka et al 2008 ; Vuori and Helisten 2010 ; Vázquez et al 2013 ; Cesa et al 2014 ). Due to their morphological and physiological characteristics, their ability to accumulate xenobiotics and their widespread occurrence, aquatic mosses are very useful in bioindication and biogeochemical prospecting (Bleuela et al 2005 ).…”