M. Aničić

Active moss biomonitoring of trace elements with Sphagnum girgensohnii moss bags in relation to atmospheric bulk deposition in Belgrade, Serbia

Active biomonitoring with wet and dry moss bags was used to examine trace element atmospheric deposition in the urban area of Belgrade. The element accumulation capability of Sphagnum girgensohnii Russow was tested in relation to atmospheric bulk deposition. Moss bags were mounted for five 3-month periods (July 2005-October 2006) at three representative urban sites. For the same period monthly bulk atmospheric deposition samples were collected. The concentrations of Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were determined by instrumental neutron activation analyses and atomic absorption spectrometry. Significant accumulation of most elements occurred in the exposed moss bags compared with the initial moss content. High correlations between the elements in moss and bulk deposits were found for V, Cu, As, and Ni. The enrichment factors of the elements for both types of monitor followed the same pattern at the corresponding sites.

Monitoring of trace element atmospheric deposition using dry and wet moss bags: accumulation capacity versus exposure time.

To clarify the peculiarities of trace element accumulation in moss bags technique (active biomonitoring), samples of the moss Sphagnum girgensohnii Rusow were exposed in bags with and without irrigation for 15 days up to 5 months consequently in the semi-urban area of Belgrade (Serbia) starting from July 2007. The accumulation capacity for 49 elements determined by ICP-MS in wet and dry moss bags was compared. The concentration of some elements, i.e. Al, V, Cr, Fe, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Pb, and Sm increased continuously with exposure time in both dry and wet moss bags, whereas concentration of Na, Cl, K, Mn, Rb, Cs, and Ta decreased. Irrigation of moss resulted in a higher accumulation capacity for most of the elements, especially for Cr, Zn, As, Se, Br, and Sr. Principal component analysis was performed on the datasets of element concentrations in wet and dry moss bags for source identification. Results of the factor analysis were similar but not identical in the two cases due to possible differences in element accumulation mechanisms.

Trace element content in urban tree leaves and SEM-EDAX characterization of deposited particles

Leaves of common deciduous trees: Aesculus hippocastanum and Tilia spp. from three parks within the urban area of Belgrade (Serbia) were studied as biomonitors of trace elements (V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) air pollution. Using a scanning SEM-EDAX, the size, size distribution, morphology and chemical composition of individual particles were examined on adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaves. Morphological and chemical composition indicated that the most abundant particles were soot and dust with minor constituents such as Pb, Zn, Ni, V, Cd, Ti, As, and Cu. Total element concentrations in the leaves were determined by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. This investigation included spatial, seasonal, and temporal variations in leaves of the selected species. The leaves of A. hippocastanum showed a significantly higher elements concentration and more consistency in trend of element accumulation during the vegetation season in the period 2002-2006 than Tilia spp., so it may be considered as a more suitable species for the assessment of trace element atmospheric pollution, especially Pb and Cu which correlated with the bulk deposition data.

Assessment of Air Quality in an Urban Area of Belgrade, Serbia

Mirjana Tasi a, Slavica Rajsi a, Milica Tomasevi a, Zoran Miji a, Mira Ani i a, Velibor Novakovi a, Dragan M. Markovi a, Dragan A. Markovi b, Lazar Lazi c, Mirjana Radenkovi d and Jasminka Joksi d aInstitute of Physics, Belgrade, Serbia bFaculty of Applied Ecology, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Serbia cInstitute of Meteorology, Faculty of Physics, Belgrade, Serbia dInstitute of Nuclear Science Vin a, Belgrade, Serbia

Trace Elements and Radionuclides in Urban Air Monitored by Moss and Tree Leaves

In urban areas, air quality is strongly influenced by numerous anthropogenic activities. High population density, heavy traffic and domestic heating in winters in the centre, and various industrial activities at the outskirts, influence atmospheric concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides. Consequently, large population is exposed to possible adverse effects arising from the altered urban air composition. Therefore, air quality monitoring has become one of the standard quality control procedures in urban areas.