ELEMENT CONTENT OF MOSSES AS POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF AIR-POLLUTION

Since mosses derive their nutrients largely from air, they may serve as possible indicators of the magnitude of air pollution. Samples of Sphagnum mosses were collected in the Adirondack region of northeastern New York and analyzed for 46 elements. High concentrations of barium, chromium, iron, lead, molybdenum, titanium and vanadium were found. Concentrations of aluminum and fluorine were correlated and may be related to aluminum and glass smelting activities in the area. The concentrations of a number of other element pairs in the mosses also indicated some correlation. © 1979 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.