Using moss Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid for assessing the technogenic pollution (Ni, Zn, Mn, Al, Se, Cs, La, and Sm) of transformed ecotopes of Donbass

Abstract

The ecotopic difference in the accumulation of Ni, Zn, Mn, Al, Se, Cs, La and Sm in bryophyte Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid was studied during a long-term experiment in the anthropogenically disturbed environment of Donbass. The concentrations of elements in moss gametophytes were determined by neutron activation analysis. The moss samples were exposed from November 2018 through May 2019 at 24 test plots in the central Donbass with varying degrees of technogenic transformation of geosystems. When comparing ecologically stressed areas with intact or restored ecotopes, the difference in the accumulation of Ni was 6.9 times, Zn – 10.2, Mn – 6.3, Al – 5.3, Se – 9.6, Cs – 3.9, La – 5.9, and Sm – 5.4 times. There were structural and functional modifications in the leaf apparatus of bryophyte, suitable for using in further phytomonitoring studies for express diagnostics. According to the results of the factor analysis, two groups of pollutants were identified, differing in the source of origin: (1) Al, Ni, Mn, and Zn, (2) Cs, Se, La, and Sm. The obtained data are considered as part of the primary screening of biogeochemical characteristics in the Donbass in 2018–2019. Within the gradient of toxic load and local impact, the leading role of mining and metallurgical facilities in the pollution of natural ecosystems of Donbass was proved.

Keywords

• neutron activation analysis
• phytoindication
• ecological phytomonitoring
• metallurgy
• factor analysis
• correlation analysis