Characterization of heavy metals atmospheric deposition for assessment of environmental quality in urban and surrounding areas

Abstract

The atmospheric deposition of Cu, Cd and Pb in urban and surrounding areas was investigated by using mosses as bioindicators. A total of 92 moss samples were collected from central and south-west parts of Romania. The content of Cu, Cd and Pb was determined by graphite furnace/flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Median values for Cu (8.217 mg/kg dw), Cd (1.299 mg/kg dw) and Pb (29.844 mg/kg dw) are high compared to other European countries. The evaluation of the sampling sites contamination was made using the contamination factor. Sites with a severe contamination with Cd and Pb were identified.