Moss (Hylocomium splendens) used as biomonitor of atmospheric trace element deposition: Estimation of uptake efficiencies

Concentrations of Na, Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, La, Pb and Bi in Hylocomium splendens were compared with bulk deposition measurements of these elements at six background stations in Norway. Long-range transported elements (V, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Pb and Bi) showed generally significant correlations between moss and wet deposition, and uptake efficiencies relative to that of Pb were estimated to be: V, 40–55%; Cu, 50%; Zn, 35%; As, 10–25%; Mo, 40–60%; Cd, 50–65%; Sb, 35–55%; Bi, 30–40%. The range apparent for some elements is attributed to competition with sea-salt cations in coastal areas. V, Cu, Zn and possibly Mo showed general background levels in the moss, which may be due to essential functions of these or contribution from sources other than atmospheric deposition.