Mosses as bioindicators of atmospheric deposition of Tl, Hg and As in Kosovo

Air pollution is an increasing challenge for modern society globally, and it is a very common problem in Kosovo. In this work, the atmospheric deposition of Tl, Hg and As was studied using mosses as natural samplers. Moss samples (Homalothecium sericeum (Hedw.) Schimp. 1851, Hypnum cupressiforme Hedwig. 1801, and Pseudoscleropodium purum (Hedw.) M.Fleisch) were collected, cleaned, digested and then analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical analysis and spatial distribution maps were performed to explain the obtained results. Median concentrations in mg/kg were 0.017 mg/kg for Tl, 0.088 mg/kg for Hg and 0.172 mg/kg for As. There were also extreme concentrations for Tl and As related to the industrial pollution sources such as the Trepca mine facilities in the town of Mitrovica, a thermoelectric coal power plant in the town of Obiliq and a cement factory in the town of Hani i Elezit. This indicates that the main industries causing pollution in Kosovo are mining processes and thermal power plant operations.