Second German heavy-metal survey by means of mosses, and comparison of the first and second approach in Germany and other European countries.

This paper shows the geographic distribution in Germany of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) analyzed in mosses in 1995/96 and compares it with the results of the 1990/91 pilot study within a European moss-monitoring programme. Other elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ti, V, Zn) are compared on basis of the overall element medians for Germany of the 1990/91 and 1995/96 survey. Samples of Pleurozium schreberi, Scleropodium purum, Hypnum cupressiforme and Hylocomium splendens were taken at a total of 1026 sites.

Drinking water quality in the Ethiopian section of the East African Rift Valley I--data and health aspects.

Drinking water samples were collected throughout the Ethiopian part of the Rift Valley, separated into water drawn from deep wells (deeper than 60 m), shallow wells (<60 m deep), hot springs (T>36 degrees C), springs (T<32 degrees C) and rivers. A total of 138 samples were analysed for 70 parameters (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, In, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, NO(2), NO(3), Pb, Pr, Rb, Sb, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, SO(4), Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, Zr, temperature, pH, conductivity and alkalinity) with ion chromatography (anions), spectrometry (ICP-OES and ICP-MS, cations) and parameter-specific (e.g.

The chemistry of Norwegian groundwaters: IV. The pH-dependence of element concentrations in crystalline bedrock groundwaters.

A total of 1604 samples of crystalline bedrock groundwaters in Norway have been analysed for pH, major and minor elements. A subset of 476 samples were also analysed for a wide range of trace elements by ICP-MS. The pH of the samples ranges from 5.

Baltic soil survey: total concentrations of major and selected trace elements in arable soils from 10 countries around the Baltic Sea.

Agricultural soils were collected from 10 European countries over a 1,800,000 km2 area surrounding the Baltic Sea. The sampling density was 1 site/2500 km2. Two samples were taken at each site: topsoil 0-25 cm (ploughing layer, Ap-horizon) and subsoil (bottom samples, usually B- or C-horizon) at an approximate depth of 50-75 cm, well below the ploughed layer.

The chemistry of Norwegian groundwaters: III. The distribution of trace elements in 476 crystalline bedrock groundwaters, as analysed by ICP-MS techniques.

Four hundred and seventy-six groundwater samples from boreholes in Norwegian crystalline bedrock have been analysed by ICP-MS techniques. The results for 53 trace elements are presented as cumulative frequency distribution diagrams and are compared with relevant international drinking water norms. A range of trace elements appear to be enriched in granitic waters and depleted in anorthositic waters which is to be expected as generally granitic rocks are enriched in trace elements above those in anorthosites.

Variation of 66 elements in European bottled mineral waters.

Fifty-six bottled mineral waters bought at random all over Europe were analysed for 66 chemical elements by ICP-AES, ICP-MS and IC-techniques. Results show that there is a wide spread in the chemical composition of mineral waters. The EEC drinking water safeguard values for chemical constituents do not apply to mineral water, although mineral water is increasingly used for general drinking water purposes.

Does bottle type and acid-washing influence trace element analyses by ICP-MS on water samples? A test covering 62 elements and four bottle types: high density polyethene (HDPE), polypropene (PP), fluorinated ethene propene copolymer (FEP) and perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA).

Groundwater samples from 15 boreholes in crystalline bedrock aquifers in South Norway (Oslo area) have been collected in parallel in five different clear plastic bottle types (high density polyethene [HDPE], polypropene [PP, two manufacturers], fluorinated ethene propene copolymer [FEP] and perfluoroalkoxy polymer [PFA]. In the cases of polyethene and polypropene, parallel samples have been collected in factory-new (unwashed) bottles and acid-washed factory-new bottles. Samples have been analysed by ICP-MS techniques for a wide range of inorganic elements down to the ppt (ng/l) range.

Influence of filtration on concentrations of 62 elements analysed on crystalline bedrock groundwater samples by ICP-MS.

Analyses of unfiltered and filtered (< 0.45 micron and < 0.10 micron) groundwater samples from 15 selected wells in crystalline bedrock aquifers of the Oslo area, Norway, have been studied for 62 chemical elements.

[Ground water and health. Reflections based on analysis of water specimens from Hordaland and Vestfold].

Basically, Norway has an ample supply of water. The quality of Norwegian drinking water, however, is threatened, not the least because of pollution of surface water reservoirs. Ground water is better protected against pollution, and sub-surface water sources are being exploited more than before.

Radon, fluoride and 62 elements as determined by ICP-MS in 145 Norwegian hard rock groundwater samples.

Hard rock groundwater (145) samples collected from private drinking water wells in the environs of Oslo and Bergen were analysed for their radon and fluoride contents. A further 62 elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For 59 elements, more than 50% of all concentration values were above the detection limit.

The German heavy metal survey by means of mosses.

This is the first attempt to determine pollution with metals throughout the Federal Republic of Germany by analysing moss samples. Samples of Pleurozium schreberi, Scleropodium purum, Hypnum cupessiforme and Hylocomium splendens were collected at 593 sites and analysed by ICP-AES and AAS for the elements As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. Citrus leaves and pine needles were used as reference materials to ensure the quality of the results.

Catchment acidification-from the top down.

Three main factors define the speed of catchment acidification: the total input of pollutants; the thickness and character of soils, including the nature of the bedrock; and the size of subcatchments. The aerial input of pollutants in the Harz is among the highest in Central Europe (e.g.