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Comparison of response of moss, lichens and attic dust to geology and atmospheric pollution from copper mine
Balabanova, B.; Stafilov, T.; Šajn, R. & Bačeva, K.
Abstract
Different sampling media (moss, lichen and
attic dust) were used for monitoring the distribution of 15
elements, including certain trace elements, in the vicinity
of an intensively exploited copper mine in the east of the
Republic of Macedonia. Moss species (Hypnum cupressiforme
and Campothecium lutescens), epiphytic lichens
(Hypogymnia physodes and Evernia prunastri) and attic
dust were collected for comparative analysis for monitoring
air pollution. In both cases (lithological and anthropogenic
affected areas) for the distribution of elements, the
sampling media follows the expression capabilities: attic
dust>moss>lichens. Enrichment factors M/L—moss vs.
lichen, for plant response to elements distribution and
D/L—attic dust vs. lichen, for historical response of elements
distribution were significant for Cu and Ni, which
were singled out as the main markers for anthropogenic
and geogenic distribution. The factor analysis highlighted
geogenic (F1: Ni-Cr-Cd-Fe-Al-K-Mn-Zn) and anthropogenic
(F2: As-Cu-Pb) association of elements from three
types of media samples. For anthropogenic affected areas,
T value and F value for Cu content were significant at
p<0.05 and higher enrichment factors were obtained for
lichen, moss and attic dust media (3.8, 5.0 and 5.7,
respectively). Spatial distribution for element deposition
(with emphasis on Cu and Ni) is not disturbed by the
significant differences in the sampling media matrix.
Treated sample materials (attic dust, moss, lichen) are
shown to be useful in determining an anthropogenic
impact, as well as the chemical properties or geological
background on orographic diverse terrain in the presence of
complex geological structure.
Keywords
Attic dust; Bučim copper mine; Macedonia; Lichen; Moss; Spatial distribution
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