Mosses as indicators of radioactivity deposition around a coal-fired power station

The concentration of 210Pbex has been measured in mosses (Hypnum cupressiforme) collected over a wide area around a coal-fired power station located in La Spezia, Central Italy, in order to evaluate the possible increase of natural radioactivity levels due to the operation of the plant. The concentration of 210Pbex varies between 258±39 and 1898±385 Bq m−2. The 210Pbex distribution pattern has been analysed in relation to the structure of the moss carpet (thickness, density) and compared to that of 137Cs. The close correlation between the distribution of 210Pb and 137Cs indicates that the patchiness of the observed distribution is mainly related to the general meteorological conditions and to the health and structure of the organisms. The operation of the power plant did not result in preferential deposition of 210Pbex at particular sites in the study area.