Estimation of Elements’ Concentration in Air in Kosovo through Mosses as Biomonitors

Abstract

Elements atmospheric deposition was studied by mosses method in Kosovo. Mosses are a very useful tool for atmospheric deposition of elements monitoring, owing to their physiological and morphological characteristics. Moss samples were collected from 45 locations, they were cleaned from leaves, twigs and other materials, they were grinded, digested in a microwave system and analyzed by spectroscopy Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). A total of 25 elements concentration in collected moss samples was determined: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Sr, Ti, Tl, V and Zn. Extremely high concentrations of Pb and Zn were found in moss samples from the areas of Zveçan and Stanterg where the ore processing facilities are located, as well as the tailings landfill in Mitrovica which is nearby in the south, which reflects eminent air pollution. High concentrations of As and Cd were also measured in the same sampling points. The obtained results were processed by multivariate statistical analysis/factor analysis, which resulted in four factors, one anthropogenic and three geogenic or mixed geogenic-anthropogenic. The factor analysis revealed that the area with the highest atmospheric deposition of potentially toxic elements is the basin of Kosovo, from the north in Leposaviç to the south in Hani i Elezit because of the industrial plants laying in this line.