Subject: Chemical sciences
Subject: Earth and related environmental sciences
Subject: Other agricultural sciences
Subject: Other natural sciences
Year: 2023
Type: Article
Type: PeerReviewed
Title: Active biomonitoring of potentially toxic elements in urban air by two distinct moss species and two analytical techniques: a pan‑Southeastern European study
Author: Aničić Urošević, Mira
Author: Lazo, Pranvera
Author: Stafilov, Trajče
Author: Nečemer, Marijan
Author: Bačeva Andonovska, Katerina
Author: Balabanova, Biljana
Author: Hristozova, G.
Author: Papagiannis, S.
Author: Stihi, C.
Author: Suljkanović, M.
Author: Špirić, Z.
Author: Vassilatou, V.
Author: Vogel‑Mikuš, K.
Abstract: This is the first study to use moss transplants as a biomonitoring technique and inductively plasma mass spectrometry to investigate airborne potentially toxic element pollution and air quality in urban areas on a regional scale across nine Southeastern European countries. The mosses in bags were exposed for 2 months during the winter season (2019/2020) at five sites in each of the selected urban areas next to air quality (AQ) monitoring stations. The sites were selected concerning different land use classes (typical urban, residential, urban background, and rural sites). The concentrations of 35 elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A comparison with elemental analysis performed by total reflection X-ray fluorescence is also presented. Concentrations of the potentially toxic element in moss bags exposed in urban areas were significantly higher, while those exposed in rural areas did not differ significantly from the initial content of unexposed moss. Linear regression analysis revealed no significant differences between the average concentrations of elements in H. cupressiforme and S. girgensohnii moss bags (linearity R2 = 0.94). It shows similar trends in elements in both moss species. The median values of contamination factors in both moss species ranged mostly from 1.2 to 2.17, indicating the exposure sites show no contamination to slight contamination status (C1 to C2 scales). High values of relative accumulation factors were found for Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Sb, and V in moss bags, indicating these elements are the most abundant in most sampling sites, which may increase human exposure through inhalation and could lead to harmful health problems.
Publisher: Springer Nature
Relation: https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/31668/
Identifier: oai:eprints.ugd.edu.mk:31668
Identifier: Aničić Urošević, Mira and Lazo, Pranvera and Stafilov, Trajče and Nečemer, Marijan and Bačeva Andonovska, Katerina and Balabanova, Biljana and Hristozova, G. and Papagiannis, S. and Stihi, C. and Suljkanović, M. and Špirić, Z. and Vassilatou, V. and Vogel‑Mikuš, K. (2023) Active biomonitoring of potentially toxic elements in urban air by two distinct moss species and two analytical techniques: a pan‑Southeastern European study. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health.
