Estimation of Elements’ Concentration in Air in Kosovo through Mosses as Biomonitors

Elements atmospheric deposition was studied by mosses method in Kosovo. Mosses are a very useful tool for atmospheric deposition of elements monitoring, owing to their physiological and morphological characteristics. Moss samples were collected from 45 locations, they were cleaned from leaves, twigs...

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Main Authors: Musaj Paçarizi, Trajče Stafilov, Robert Šajn, Krste Tašev, Flamur Sopaj
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/4/415
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author Musaj Paçarizi
Trajče Stafilov
Robert Šajn
Krste Tašev
Flamur Sopaj
author_facet Musaj Paçarizi
Trajče Stafilov
Robert Šajn
Krste Tašev
Flamur Sopaj
author_sort Musaj Paçarizi
collection DOAJ
description Elements atmospheric deposition was studied by mosses method in Kosovo. Mosses are a very useful tool for atmospheric deposition of elements monitoring, owing to their physiological and morphological characteristics. Moss samples were collected from 45 locations, they were cleaned from leaves, twigs and other materials, they were grinded, digested in a microwave system and analyzed by spectroscopy Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). A total of 25 elements concentration in collected moss samples was determined: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Sr, Ti, Tl, V and Zn. Extremely high concentrations of Pb and Zn were found in moss samples from the areas of Zveçan and Stanterg where the ore processing facilities are located, as well as the tailings landfill in Mitrovica which is nearby in the south, which reflects eminent air pollution. High concentrations of As and Cd were also measured in the same sampling points. The obtained results were processed by multivariate statistical analysis/factor analysis, which resulted in four factors, one anthropogenic and three geogenic or mixed geogenic-anthropogenic. The factor analysis revealed that the area with the highest atmospheric deposition of potentially toxic elements is the basin of Kosovo, from the north in Leposaviç to the south in Hani i Elezit because of the industrial plants laying in this line.
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spelling doaj.art-dd0708919b4143feacd3bb63a047507b2023-11-21T11:45:52ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332021-03-0112441510.3390/atmos12040415Estimation of Elements’ Concentration in Air in Kosovo through Mosses as BiomonitorsMusaj Paçarizi0Trajče Stafilov1Robert Šajn2Krste Tašev3Flamur Sopaj4Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Mother Tereza 5, 10 000 Prishtina, KosovoFaculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Institute of Chemistry, Ss Cyril and Methodius University, POB 162, 1000 Skopje, North MacedoniaGeological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva 14, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaState Phytosanitary Laboratory, Bul. Aleksandar Makedonski bb, 1000 Skopje, North MacedoniaDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Mother Tereza 5, 10 000 Prishtina, KosovoElements atmospheric deposition was studied by mosses method in Kosovo. Mosses are a very useful tool for atmospheric deposition of elements monitoring, owing to their physiological and morphological characteristics. Moss samples were collected from 45 locations, they were cleaned from leaves, twigs and other materials, they were grinded, digested in a microwave system and analyzed by spectroscopy Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). A total of 25 elements concentration in collected moss samples was determined: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Sr, Ti, Tl, V and Zn. Extremely high concentrations of Pb and Zn were found in moss samples from the areas of Zveçan and Stanterg where the ore processing facilities are located, as well as the tailings landfill in Mitrovica which is nearby in the south, which reflects eminent air pollution. High concentrations of As and Cd were also measured in the same sampling points. The obtained results were processed by multivariate statistical analysis/factor analysis, which resulted in four factors, one anthropogenic and three geogenic or mixed geogenic-anthropogenic. The factor analysis revealed that the area with the highest atmospheric deposition of potentially toxic elements is the basin of Kosovo, from the north in Leposaviç to the south in Hani i Elezit because of the industrial plants laying in this line.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/4/415KosovoairpollutionelementsmossesICP-AES
spellingShingle Musaj Paçarizi
Trajče Stafilov
Robert Šajn
Krste Tašev
Flamur Sopaj
Estimation of Elements’ Concentration in Air in Kosovo through Mosses as Biomonitors
Atmosphere
Kosovo
air
pollution
elements
mosses
ICP-AES
title Estimation of Elements’ Concentration in Air in Kosovo through Mosses as Biomonitors
title_full Estimation of Elements’ Concentration in Air in Kosovo through Mosses as Biomonitors
title_fullStr Estimation of Elements’ Concentration in Air in Kosovo through Mosses as Biomonitors
title_full_unstemmed Estimation of Elements’ Concentration in Air in Kosovo through Mosses as Biomonitors
title_short Estimation of Elements’ Concentration in Air in Kosovo through Mosses as Biomonitors
title_sort estimation of elements concentration in air in kosovo through mosses as biomonitors
topic Kosovo
air
pollution
elements
mosses
ICP-AES
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/4/415
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