The State of the Mammal Community of Boreal Forest Ecosystems in the Vicinity of a Nickel-Smelting Plant

The effect of industrial air pollution on natural small mammal populations has been studied in the northern taiga subzone of the boreal forest zone. The results of long-term monitoring have been used to demonstrate the possibility of predicting changes in the main population and community characteristics of the animal species studied as dependent on the degree of anthropogenic impact.     

A new approach to Assess Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition by Way of Standardized Exposition of mosses

A standardized method of moss exposition for assessing variations in nitrogen deposition was tested in the western part of Germany. Six pleurocarpous moss species were transplanted to two sites differing in their deposition rates but being comparable as to their climatic conditions. The mosses were exposed in standardized containers over a period of 12 months; the focus of interest was the effect of N deposition on nitrogen content and on ¹⁵N natural abundance (δ¹⁵N-values). Within the first nine months only trends could be observed. However, after one year all species tested showed significantly higher N concentrations at the highly polluted site. Besides, more negative δ¹⁵N-values possibly reflecting the higher ammonium input were detected at this site. Surprisingly, most of the plants though being kept in plastic containers without a favourable substratum did not show any conspicuous deficiency symptoms. The potential advantages of a standardized moss exposition for N monitoring purposes are discussed. It is concluded that the method presented here can yield significant results in particular if the number of testing sites is increased.     

The State of Components of the Biota as an Indicator of Disturbances in Natural Ecosystems Exposed to Petrochemical Pollution

Russian Journal of Ecology -     

Second german heavy-metal survey by means of mosses,and comparison of the first and second approach in germany and other european countries

This paper shows the geographic distribution in Germany of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) analyzed in mosses in 1995/96 and compares it with the results of the 1990/91 pilot study within a European moss-monitoring programme. Other elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ti, V, Zn) are compared on basis of the overall element medians for Germany of the 1990/91 and 1995/96 survey. Samples of Pleurozium schreberi, Scleropodium purum, Hypnum cupressiforme and Hylocomium splendens were taken at a total of 1026 sites. In the 1995/96 monitoring campaign, 95% of the original sites of the 1990/91 study were resampled. The results from 1995/96 display local elevated values and many cases of areas affected by known sources of heavy-metal emissions. The industrialized and urban regions of Germany are shown up clearly by the 1995/96 moss-monitoring results: the Ruhr area, parts of Saarland and Baden-Württemberg, as well as areas in eastern Germany. Relatively low values for many elements were found in large areas of Lower Saxony and Bavaria. A comparison of the results of the 1990/91 and 1995/96 moss-monitoring programmes shows a fall in the concentration of the presented elements (except cadmium, copper and zinc) over the relevant period. Especially in the former GDR, chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti) and vanadium (V) decreased significantly. This is, firstly, a reflection of the closure of and/or technological improvements to large power plants; secondly it is due to the fact that lignite has given way to other fuels. Vanadium (V) and nickel (Ni), typical constituents of crude oil, also show a decrease in the western part and thus document changes in the type of fuel consumed. The significant fall in lead concentration in 1995/96 as compared to 1990/91 in what used to be East and West Germany probably results from the increasing use of lead-free petrol. A comparison of the median values for 1990/91 and 1995/96 in mosses to the rate of emission of heavy metals in Germany for 1990 and 1995 shows similar trends in the case of elements such as arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb). The comparison of the medians of the elements analyzed for 19 European countries indicates for most of the elements a general tendency to lower values in 1995, except for Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Italy and United Kingdom.     

Pesticides in the aquatic environment ‐ experiences from Austrian monitoring programmes

The present paper deals with the impact of pesticides on water quality in Austria. Results of different monitoring programmes and surveys concerning the contamination of groundwater and running waters are provided; various aspects of sediment analyses and bioindication are also discussed. The evaluation of the data reveals a rather serious situation particularly in the eastern parts of the country intensively used by agricultural activities. The substances most often detected are triazines and lindane. Legal measures and key figures on the Austrian agriculture are also presented.     

14C-Photosynthesis of Phytoplankton in an Oligotrophic Alpine Lake (Traunsee,Austria) and its Response to Turbidity Caused by Industrial Tailings

The influence of industrial tailings on the biological integrity of the phytoplankton was assessed from annual measurements of photosynthetic rates in the alpine lake Traunsee. The mean annual integral production of 21 mmol C m^-2 d^-1 corresponded to the oligotrophic nature of the lake. Effects of effluents were tested by comparing photosynthesis at a station close to the industrial outlet (EB) and at a reference site with a maximum depth of 190 m (VI). Between-site optical properties (vertical attenuation coefficient, euphotic depth) were statistically significant different. The euphotic zone at the impacted station was on average 2 m shallower than at the reference site, owing to turbidity emanating from the industrial plant. The adaptation to low light intensities by the algal community at this station was evident from a high maximum light utilisation coefficient (^* at low light saturation (E _K). Algae at the deep reference site were photosynthetically less efficient but adapted to high light intensities. Photosynthetic adaptation to different light climates in the euphotic zone without significant quantitative biomass alterations at the impacted site gave a clear signature of biological integrity of the phytoplankton in the oligotrophic Traunsee.     

PCA and multidimensional visualization techniques united to aid in the bioindication of elements from transplanted <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphagnum palustre</Emphasis> moss exposed in the Gdańsk City Area

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: During the last decades, a technique for assessing atmospheric deposition of heavy elements was developed based on the principle that samples of moss are able to accumulate elements and airborne particles from rain, melting snow and dry deposition. Despite a broad interest in bioindication there are still ongoing works aimed at the preparation of a standard procedure allowing for a comparison of research carried out in various areas. This is why the comparison of living and dry moss of the same species and growth site seems to be interesting, logical and promising. A most reliable approach seems to be the application of bioindication connected with multivariate statistics and efficient visualization techniques in the interpretation of monitoring data. The aim of this study was: (i) to present cumulative properties of transplanted Sphagnum palustre moss with differentiation into dry and living biomaterial; (ii) to determine and geographically locate types of pollution sources responsible for a structure of the monitoring data set; (iii) to visualize geographical distribution of analytes in the Gdańsk metropolitan area and to identify the high-risk areas which can be targeted for environmental hazards and public health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A six month air pollution study based on Sphagnum palustre bioindication is presented and a simplified procedure of the experiment is given. The study area was located at the mouth of the Vistula River on the Baltic Sea, in Gdańsk City (Poland). Sphagnum palustre was selected for research because of its extraordinary morphological properties and its ease in being raised. The capability of dry and living moss to accumulate elements characteristic for anthropogenic and natural sources was shown by application of Principal Component Analysis. The high-risk areas and pollution profiles are detected and visualized using surface maps based on Kriging algorithm. RESULTS: The original selection of elements included all those that could be reliably determined by Neutron Activation Analysis in moss samples. Elimination of variables covered the elements whose concentrations in moss were lower than the reported detection limits for INAA for most observations or in cases where particular elements did not show any variation. Eighteen elements: a, Ca, Sc, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Br, Mo, Sb, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Th, were selected for the research presented. DISCUSSION: Two runs of PCA were performed since, in the first-run a heavy polluted location (Stogi - 'Sto') understood as outlier in the term of PCA approach was detected and results in the form of block diagrams and surface maps were presented. As ensues from the first-run PCA analysis, the factor layout for both indicators is similar but not identical due to the differences in the elements accumulation mechanism. Three latent factors ('phosphatic fertilizer plant impact', 'urban impact' and 'marine impact') explain over 89% and 82% of the total variance for dry and living moss respectively. In the second-run PCA three latent factors are responsible for the data structure in both moss materials. However, in the case of dry moss analysis these factors explain 85% of the total variance but they are rather hard to interpret. On the other hand living moss shows the same pattern as in first-run PCA. Three latent factors explain over 84% of the total variance in this case. The pollution profiles extracted in PCA of dry moss data differ tremendously between both runs, while no deterioration was found after removal of Stogi from data set in case of living moss. Performance of the second-run PCA with exception of Stogi as a heavy polluted location has led to the conclusion that living moss shows better indication properties than dry one. CONCLUSIONS: While using moss as wet and dry deposition sampier it is not possible to calculate deposition values since the real volume of collected water and dust is hard to estimate due to a splash effect and irregular surface. Therefore, accumulation values seam to be reasonable for moss-based air pollution surveys. Both biomaterials: dry and living Sphagnum palustre show cumulative properties relative to elements under interest. Dry moss has a very loose collection of the atmospheric particles, which can also easily get lost upon rinsing with rainwater running through exposed dry moss material. The living moss may, on the contrary, incorporate the elements in its tissue, thus being less susceptible to rinsing and thus better reflecting the atmospheric conditions. Despite the differences in element uptake and uphold capabilities dry and living moss reflect characteristic anthropogenic and natural profiles. Visible differences in impacts' map coverage exist mostly due to the accumulation mechanisms differentiating dry from living moss. However, in case of each indicator 'phosphatic fertilizer plant impact' is recognized as the strongest pollution source present in examined region. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: General types of pollution sources responsible for a structure of monitoring data set were determined as high-risk/low-risk areas and visualized in form of geographic distribution maps. These locations can be targeted for environmental hazards and public health. Chemometric results in the form of easy defined surface maps can became a powerful instrument in hands of decision-makers working in the field of sustainable development implementation.     

Chemometrical classification of biomonitoring analytical data for heavy metals part I. trees (leaves) as bioindicators

The application of tree species (leaves) as biomonitoring devices is studies by the use of cluster analysis. It is shown that the chemical analysis of leaf samples should be accompanied by a careful chemometrical data treatment in order to obtain a reliable information on the behaviour of various tree species to heavy metal exposure (8 trees for three heavy metals in twelve different places) in fall and spring season. Additionally, the distribution of the sampling sites is studied by the same approach and a commentary on the urban aspects of sampling is given.     

A Comparison of Biomonitoring Methods for the Estimation of Atmospheric Pollutants in an Industrial Town in Austria

In the period between 1999 and 2000 epiphytic bryophytes were taken as bioindicators for air pollution by use of the IAP method (Index of Atmospheric Purity) and the VDI method within the Association of Engineers standards list (adapted from guideline 3799, 1995) in the heavy industrialized town of Linz, Austria. 52 study sites (265 trees) were analysed regarding species richness, coverage, and vitality. Q-values (sensitivity factors), calculated for each species showed significant differences for the various host tree species. The results gained by the IAP and the VDI methods were diverse, regarding the various sites where only 25% were classified identical. These differences can mainly be attributed to the differing host tree species and the size of the recording area on the various trees. Clusters of similar pollution levels were calculated and drawn as maps for both methods tested. Comparing the results of the IAP and the VDI methods with data derived from technical measurements (SO₂, NO, NO₂, and dust) a correlation between IAP-indices and SO₂ concentrations could be observed. No correlation was detected between the results derived from VDI recording and for NO, NO₂, and dust.