Critical remarks on the use of terrestrial moss (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi) for monitoring of airborne pollution.

Duplicate samples of the two terrestrial moss species Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi, which are widely used to monitor airborne heavy metal pollution, have been collected from eight catchments spread over a 1,500,000 km2 area in northern Europe. These were analysed for a total of 38 elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and cold vapour-atomic absorption spectometry techniques. Results show that the moss species can be combined without interspecies calibration for regional mapping purposes.

Topsoil (0-5 cm) composition in eight arctic catchments in northern Europe (Finland, Norway and Russia).

Frozen topsoil samples (0-5 cm) were collected during March/April 1994 in eight Arctic catchments in northern Europe (four in Russia, three in Finland, one in Norway), at different distances and in different wind directions from the emissions of the Russian mining, roasting and smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula. Between 14 and 25 sites were sampled in each of the eight catchments ranging in size from 12 to 35 km2. Results show that close to the smelters in Monchegorsk and Nikel, topsoil is clearly enriched in Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Te and V.

[Coronary venous blood flow in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

In 94 patients with large myocardial infarction, their coronary venous blood flow was studied in the acute period of the disease by continuous coronary sinus thermodilution. No relationship was established between the coronary venous blood flow and the duration of coronary heart disease. The patients with anterior myocardial infarction had a significantly less blood flow in the vena cordis magna than those with posterolateral infarction.

[Status of coronary venous blood flow in patients with ischemic heart disease in myocardial ischemia induced by the atrial stimulation test].

A total of 85 patients (68 with coronary heart disease in the presence of effort angina of various functional classes (a major group) and 17 with neurocirculatory++ dystonia and cardialgic syndrome (a control group)) were examined. Heart failure severity and blood flow distribution in the functioning myocardial areas were evaluated in transient ischemia induced by atrial pacing. Three levels of coronary venous blood flow were defined in patients with coronary heart disease.