RECENT TRENDS IN ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION OF TRACE-ELEMENTS IN NORWAY AS EVIDENT FROM THE 1995 MOSS SURVEY

Atmospheric trace element deposition in Norway has been evaluated by u sing data from a national moss survey from 1995, comprising 53 element s in 458 samples of the ground growing moss Hylocomium splendens. The results are compared with similar surveys carried out in 1977, 1985 an d 1990 in order to evaluate temporal deposition trends. Atmospheric lo ng-range transport (LRTP) from other parts of Europe is the main sourc e for deposition of V, Zn, As, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi i n Norway. Between 1977 and 1990 the levels of most of the LRTP element s monitored (V, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, Pb) were reduced by more than 50%. Bet ween 1990 and 1995, no further decrease has been observed for any of t he LRTP elements, except for Pb where a further reduction is evident. The most north-easterly part of Norway is exposed to high levels of Co , Ni and Cu from emission sources from the Kola peninsula, Russia and the levels have not changed significantly since 1977. A new ferro-chro me smelter at Mo i Rana, northern Norway has resulted in a substantial ly enhanced deposition of Cr in the surrounding area. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science B.V.