Chapter 3
The Evaluation of TM Atmospheric
Deposition in Albania
Pranvera Lazo, Flora Qarri, Shaniko Allajbeu, Sonila Kane, Lirim Bekteshi,
Marina Frontasyeva, and Trajce Stafilov
3.1 Trace Metal Concentrations
Beside the ten priority elements (V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Pb) 41 additional
elements were investigated on 2010 moss survey. Descriptive statistic analysis was
applied to the concentration data of 51 elements (Table 3.1). The most important
parameters, such as mean, median, minimum, maximum, coefficient of variation
(CV %), skewness and kurtosis are shown in Table 3.1. The data of the elements
under the detection limit of the analytical method (LOD), such as Au and Lu, for
easy calculations of the statistical parameters, were standardized by a value of 0.7 ×
LOD.
Most of the elements showed moderate variations (CV % < 75%) by indicating
that the data are relatively stable. The elements As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr, Cl, Eu,
Tm, Lu, and Mn showed high values of variability (CV % > 75%), IQR > Q1, and high
values of skewness and kurtosis by indicating a high asymmetry of the concentration
data, wide spreading of the data and strong geographical variations of the elements
in moss samples. High metal concentrations in different locations may be associated
with geochemical factors and local anthropogenic sources or long-range transport of
the pollutants. The concentration data of As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr, Cl, Gd, Eu, Tm,
Lu, and Mn are characterized by higher mean concentrations than their respective
medians. The disparity on the distribution of the concentration data indicates that
the data are probably affected by several factors. The histograms of data distribution
and the predicted normal distribution curves of V, Mo, Ag and P are shown in the
Fig. 3.1. Other elements are shown in the Appendix (Fig. A.1).
The sequence of the distribution of elements in moss samples was Au < Tm < Tb
< Ta < Eu < Ag < W < Sb < Cd = Lu < Hg = U = Yb = Se < Gd < Hf < As < Cs <
Sm < Dy < Mo < Th < Sc < Co < Li < Nd < La < Pb < V < Ce < Br < Cu < Ni < Zr
< Rb < Cr < Zn < Ba < Sr < Mn < Na < Cl < Ti < P < Al < Fe < Mg < K < Ca < Si.
It looks likely different from the distribution of elements in earth’s crust (Rudnick
and Gao 2003) by indicating mixed origins as natural, geogenic and anthropogenic
sources. On the other hand, the man-induced mobilization of trace metals into the
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
P. Lazo et al., The Evaluation of Air Quality in Albania by Moss Biomonitoring and Metals
Atmospheric Deposition, SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62355-5_3
23
The Evaluation of TM Atmospheric
Deposition in Albania
Pranvera Lazo, Flora Qarri, Shaniko Allajbeu, Sonila Kane, Lirim Bekteshi,
Marina Frontasyeva, and Trajce Stafilov
3.1 Trace Metal Concentrations
Beside the ten priority elements (V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Pb) 41 additional
elements were investigated on 2010 moss survey. Descriptive statistic analysis was
applied to the concentration data of 51 elements (Table 3.1). The most important
parameters, such as mean, median, minimum, maximum, coefficient of variation
(CV %), skewness and kurtosis are shown in Table 3.1. The data of the elements
under the detection limit of the analytical method (LOD), such as Au and Lu, for
easy calculations of the statistical parameters, were standardized by a value of 0.7 ×
LOD.
Most of the elements showed moderate variations (CV % < 75%) by indicating
that the data are relatively stable. The elements As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr, Cl, Eu,
Tm, Lu, and Mn showed high values of variability (CV % > 75%), IQR > Q1, and high
values of skewness and kurtosis by indicating a high asymmetry of the concentration
data, wide spreading of the data and strong geographical variations of the elements
in moss samples. High metal concentrations in different locations may be associated
with geochemical factors and local anthropogenic sources or long-range transport of
the pollutants. The concentration data of As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr, Cl, Gd, Eu, Tm,
Lu, and Mn are characterized by higher mean concentrations than their respective
medians. The disparity on the distribution of the concentration data indicates that
the data are probably affected by several factors. The histograms of data distribution
and the predicted normal distribution curves of V, Mo, Ag and P are shown in the
Fig. 3.1. Other elements are shown in the Appendix (Fig. A.1).
The sequence of the distribution of elements in moss samples was Au < Tm < Tb
< Ta < Eu < Ag < W < Sb < Cd = Lu < Hg = U = Yb = Se < Gd < Hf < As < Cs <
Sm < Dy < Mo < Th < Sc < Co < Li < Nd < La < Pb < V < Ce < Br < Cu < Ni < Zr
< Rb < Cr < Zn < Ba < Sr < Mn < Na < Cl < Ti < P < Al < Fe < Mg < K < Ca < Si.
It looks likely different from the distribution of elements in earth’s crust (Rudnick
and Gao 2003) by indicating mixed origins as natural, geogenic and anthropogenic
sources. On the other hand, the man-induced mobilization of trace metals into the
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
P. Lazo et al., The Evaluation of Air Quality in Albania by Moss Biomonitoring and Metals
Atmospheric Deposition, SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62355-5_3
23