Influence of extreme pollution on the inorganic chemical composition of some plants.

Leaves of nine different plant species (terrestrial moss: Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi, blueberry: Vaccinium myrtillus, cowberry: Vaccinium vitis-idaea, crowberry: Empetrum nigrum, birch: Betula pubescens, willow: Salix spp., pine: Pinus sylvestris, and spruce: Picea abies) have been collected from up to nine catchments (size 14-50 km2) spread over a 1,500,000 km2 area in northern Europe. Additional soil samples were taken from the O-horizon and the C-horizon at each plant sample site.

Comparison of the element composition in several plant species and their substrate from a 1500000-km2 area in Northern Europe.

Leaves of 9 different plant species (terrestrial moss represented by: Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi; and 7 species of vascular plants: blueberry, Vaccinium myrtillus; cowberry, Vaccinium titis-idaea; crowberry, Empetrum nigrum; birch, Betula pubescens; willow, Salix spp.; pine, Pinus sylvestris and spruce, Picea abies) have been collected from up to 9 catchments (size 14-50 km2) spread over a 1500000 km2 area in Northern Europe. Soil samples were taken of the O-horizon and of the C-horizon at each plant sample site.

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.

Seasonal variability of total and easily leachable element contents in topsoils (0-5 cm) from eight catchments in the European Arctic (Finland, Norway and Russia).

Frozen topsoil samples (0-5 cm) were collected during March/April 1994 in eight Arctic catchments in northern Europe (4 in Russia, 3 in Finland, 1 in Norway) at varying distances and wind directions from the emissions of the Russian nickel ore mining, roasting and smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula. Between 14 and 25 sites were sampled in catchment basins ranging in size from 12 to 35 km(2). Sampling was repeated in spring immediately after the snow melted, in summer and in autumn to study seasonal variability and the fate of elements when the snow melts.