Atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Duzce province by using mosses as biomonitors

This research was carried out around the industrialised area and D100 highway in Duzce, in order to determine the atmospheric heavy metal deposition by using mosses as biomonitors. Sampling was performed based on the principle that carpet-forming bryophytes (pleurocarpous mosses) at 14 sites distributed over the study area between 2003 and 2004. Dried samples were digested according to the wet digestion method, and the concentrations of heavy metals were determined by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). According to the results of analyses, the heavy metal concentrations in the region are ordered as follows: Fe>Pb>Cu>Co>Cr>Ni>As. Distribution maps were drawn up by using the Geographic Information System (GIS) for each of the studied metals according to their concentration in the mosses. The results were compared with similar studies in Europe, and. it was observed that the accumulation ratios of iron, lead, arsenic and cobalt are higher than European rates. In addition, significant correlations were found among Fe-Cu and Co between the results, and control sites were compared by using SPSS statistical programme.