Extended study of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Lithuania based on moss analysis

The use of different moss species -- Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Eurhynchium angustirete, Sphagnum and Rhytidiadelphus --was tested for the investigation of atmospheric heavy metal deposition. Maps representing heavy metal deposition pattern in Lithuania arepresented for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and V. The most suitable species for heavy metal deposition studies was Hylocomium splendens in which the concentrations of metals were found to be up to 25% higher thanin other species. Interspecies and interelemental comparison was also performed. Several well defined local pollution sources were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]