Moss bag technique for monitoring of metal precipitation

Abstract

Moss Barbula vinealis and Rhodobryum roseum used as biomonitor of metal precipitation at Nainital during 2004 - 2005 to examine deposition of Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb at Nainital area, around point sources in all the four directions. Moss bags were transplanted at 8 sites for fixed exposure time in sampling seasons (summer, monsoon and winter) and were harvested periodically after 4 months of exposure. An increase in amount of metals in 2004 - 2005 reflects an increase in metals in air. High metallic load was observed in locations in proximity of higher traffic density. From the result, it is concluded that local sources in Nainital, especially due to enhanced tourism during summer, contributes to elevated metal deposition in comparison to winter and monsoon season. Active monitoring by 4 months of exposure of mosses gives reliable results on metal contamination. Study also aim at assessing the suitability of both mosses as a biomonitor for metal deposition. Study confirms that in Nainital, where due to higher vehicular traffic, wear and tear of vehicular parts and beside it increasing tourist activity, high level of Zn, Pb was measured in moss transplant bags.Bioaccumulation ability in these two mosses was evaluated statistically using Dunkun's Multiple Range Test and was presented on contour maps obtained from SURFER program.

Keywords

• Element concentration
• Barbula vinealis
• Rhodobryum roseum
• biomonitoring