Comparison of the element composition in several plant species and their substrate from a 1 500 000-km2 area in Northern Europe

Leaves of 9 different plant species Žterrestrial moss represented by: Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi; and 7 species of vascular plants: blueberry, Vaccinium myrtillus; cowberry, Vaccinium itis-idaea; crowberry, Empetrum nigrum; birch, Betula pubescens; willow, Salix spp.; pine, Pinus syl estris and spruce, Picea abies. have been collected from up to 9 catchments Žsize 14 50 km2. spread over a 1 500 000 km2 area in Northern Europe. Soil samples were taken of the O-horizon and of the C-horizon at each plant sample site. All samples were analysed for 38 elements ŽAg, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Th, Tl, U, V, Y, Zn and Zr. by ICP-MS, ICP-AES or CV-AAS Žfor Hg-analysis. techniques. The concentrations of some elements vary significantly between different plants Že.g. Cd, V, Co, Pb, Ba and Y.. Other elements show surprisingly similar levels in all plants Že.g. Rb, S, Cu, K, Ca, P and Mg.. Each group of plants Žmoss, shrubs, deciduous and conifers. shows a common behaviour for some elements. Each plant accumulates or excludes enriched in plants. Elements showing very low plant C-horizon ratios Že.g. Zr, Th, U, Y, Fe, Li and Al. can be used as an indicator of minerogenic dust. The plant O-horizon and O-horizon C-horizon ratios show that some elements are accumulated in the O-horizon Že.g. Pb, Bi, As, Ag, Sb.. Airborne organic material attached to the leaves can thus, result in high values of these elements without any pollution source.