Moss biomonitoring in the evaluation of air pollution in the Tver region, Russia

Abstract

In the Tver region (Russia), the moss biomonitoring technique was applied to investigate the atmospheric deposition of potentially harmful elements. Using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy and a direct mercury analyzer, a total of 15 elements were identified in 144 moss samples collected in the region. To assess the degree of environmental pollution, ecological indices (pollution load index, enrichment factor, geochemical index, and contamination factor) were computed. The sources of the identified elements were characterized across the territory under investigation using multivariate statistical analysis. The results obtained were compared with the information from other Central Russian regions. GIS technologies were used to create distribution maps for the surveyed territory. Transport and power plants are the primary sources of air pollution in the region, while the influence of industry is suggested to be negligible. Compared to other Russian regions, the area under investigation can be considered relatively clean.