Preliminary findings from a pilot moss biomonitoring study in the Patagonia region

Abstract Study aimed to assess air pollution in Patagonia using the moss Lepyrodon lagurus. The 16 selected micro-, macro-, and trace elements: Al, Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, Zn, V, Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn, S, Sr, P, Ni and Hg were determined using ICP-OES and direct mercury analyzer. Factor analysis (FA), enrichment f...

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Main Authors: Małgorzata Rajfur, Vítězslav Plášek, Inga Zinicovscaia, Nikita Yushin, Dominik Jerz, Paweł Świsłowski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11421-z
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author Małgorzata Rajfur
Vítězslav Plášek
Inga Zinicovscaia
Nikita Yushin
Dominik Jerz
Paweł Świsłowski
author_facet Małgorzata Rajfur
Vítězslav Plášek
Inga Zinicovscaia
Nikita Yushin
Dominik Jerz
Paweł Świsłowski
author_sort Małgorzata Rajfur
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Study aimed to assess air pollution in Patagonia using the moss Lepyrodon lagurus. The 16 selected micro-, macro-, and trace elements: Al, Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, Zn, V, Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn, S, Sr, P, Ni and Hg were determined using ICP-OES and direct mercury analyzer. Factor analysis (FA), enrichment factor (EF) and other pollution indicators were employed to group elements and associate them with possible sources and level of emission. Half of the elements were characterized by statistically significant variations in terms of the effect of sampling location on their concentration. Despite the observed concentrations: Co (0.947 mg/kg), Pb (1.37 mg/kg), V (4.29 mg/kg), Cr (1.68 mg/kg), Ni (1.94 mg/kg) were low concerning literature studies, but the area cannot be deemed pristine. Based on the research carried out different anthropogenic, traffic-related activities can be considered as one the main sources of air pollution in the Patagonia region based on values of FA and EF. The highest values of EF were: 14.3 for Co, 6.50 for Pb, and 6.00 for Ni. Future biomonitoring studies using mosses should be expanded to include other species to control the level of atmospheric aerosol pollution in Patagonia and also to identify the most sensitive biomonitor for this area.
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spelling doaj-art-be1c433e605f4bb68c2d48d243c4683c2025-08-20T03:05:26ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-11421-zPreliminary findings from a pilot moss biomonitoring study in the Patagonia regionMałgorzata Rajfur0Vítězslav Plášek1Inga Zinicovscaia2Nikita Yushin3Dominik Jerz4Paweł Świsłowski5Institute of Biology, University of OpoleInstitute of Biology, University of OpoleHoria Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear EngineeringDoctoral School Biological, Geonomic, Chemical and Technological Science, State University of MoldovaInstitute of Biology, University of OpoleInstitute of Biology, University of OpoleAbstract Study aimed to assess air pollution in Patagonia using the moss Lepyrodon lagurus. The 16 selected micro-, macro-, and trace elements: Al, Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, Zn, V, Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn, S, Sr, P, Ni and Hg were determined using ICP-OES and direct mercury analyzer. Factor analysis (FA), enrichment factor (EF) and other pollution indicators were employed to group elements and associate them with possible sources and level of emission. Half of the elements were characterized by statistically significant variations in terms of the effect of sampling location on their concentration. Despite the observed concentrations: Co (0.947 mg/kg), Pb (1.37 mg/kg), V (4.29 mg/kg), Cr (1.68 mg/kg), Ni (1.94 mg/kg) were low concerning literature studies, but the area cannot be deemed pristine. Based on the research carried out different anthropogenic, traffic-related activities can be considered as one the main sources of air pollution in the Patagonia region based on values of FA and EF. The highest values of EF were: 14.3 for Co, 6.50 for Pb, and 6.00 for Ni. Future biomonitoring studies using mosses should be expanded to include other species to control the level of atmospheric aerosol pollution in Patagonia and also to identify the most sensitive biomonitor for this area.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11421-zAir pollutionBiological indicatorElementsEnvironmental qualityLepyrodon lagurusTierra Del Fuego
spellingShingle Małgorzata Rajfur
Vítězslav Plášek
Inga Zinicovscaia
Nikita Yushin
Dominik Jerz
Paweł Świsłowski
Preliminary findings from a pilot moss biomonitoring study in the Patagonia region
Scientific Reports
Air pollution
Biological indicator
Elements
Environmental quality
Lepyrodon lagurus
Tierra Del Fuego
title Preliminary findings from a pilot moss biomonitoring study in the Patagonia region
title_full Preliminary findings from a pilot moss biomonitoring study in the Patagonia region
title_fullStr Preliminary findings from a pilot moss biomonitoring study in the Patagonia region
title_full_unstemmed Preliminary findings from a pilot moss biomonitoring study in the Patagonia region
title_short Preliminary findings from a pilot moss biomonitoring study in the Patagonia region
title_sort preliminary findings from a pilot moss biomonitoring study in the patagonia region
topic Air pollution
Biological indicator
Elements
Environmental quality
Lepyrodon lagurus
Tierra Del Fuego
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11421-z
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