SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATION IN ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION OF ATMOSPHERICLEAD IN NORWEGIAN MOSS

Earlier studies using moss as a biomonitor of pollution have shown tha t long-range transport is a major source of pollution in Norway. Until now, the origin of these pollutants has been inferred from concentrat ion measurements of various elements in moss and the climatology at ea ch sampling site. Lead isotopes provide an opportunity to identify the sources and to quantify the contribution of each. This preliminary st udy reports measurements of lead isotopes in moss from selected sites along the full extent of Norway that reveal significant spatial and te mporal variations. There are significant north-south trends that diffe r at coastal and inland sites and differ between sampling periods (197 4-1994). These variations reflect the changing contributions from the different source regions as the regulation of pollution from automobil es and industry takes effect. Identifiable sources are the U.K. and po ssibly France, which is noticeable at coastal sites; western Europe at the southern end; and eastern Europe and Russia influencing the inlan d and northernmost sites.