Correlation between altitude and heavy metal deposition in the Alps Original

Mosses have been collected from transects along altitudinal gradients on five mountain ranges within the northern and eastern Alps. The location of the sampling points on steep slopes provides results depending on altitude rather than on horizontal distance. As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, Zn and S concentrations in moss shoots for 1989–1991 have been determined. The results of several multivariate and regression analyses show a remarkable increase of Pb, Cd, Zn and S concentrations with rising altitude. High levels of precipitation are strongly correlated with heavy metal deposition, and seem to be the main source of heavy metal fallout at higher altitudes. Larger amounts of wind blown, indigenous particles must also be considered for several heavy metals (e.g. V). There are only a few local pollutors situated throughout the Alps, and the investigation shows that pollution by heavy metals in alpine regions is caused mainly by long range transport.