Metal biomonitoring with mosses in the surroundings of an oil-fired power plant in Italy

Levels of 12 trace elements were measured in samples of the bryophyte Hypnu m cupressiforme Hedw. and in soil collected in the sorroundings of an oil-f ired power plant in Northern Italy. Metal bioaccumulation in moss was estim ated after soil correction in order to obtain deposition patterns and indiv iduate potentially toxic metals emitted from the plant. V and Ni, occurring together in fuel oil, showed highest bioaccumulation values near the stack s. Mean contamination of the study area for these elements is 5.5 (V) and 3 .3 (Ni) times the background levels of the reference site. Other elements s howed only limited alterations of bioaccumulation values, in relation to ag ricultural and industrial activity in the study area. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.