3 The Evaluation of TM Atmospheric Deposition in Albania
39
On the other hand, the distribution patterns of La and Ce in moss samples usually
reflect the distribution of all rare earth elements (REEs) that show high correlations with La and Ce. In order to investigate the relationships between the elements,
Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed onto REE concentration data (see the
Appendix, Table A.1). Very strong and significant correlations between La and Ce
with Sc and other REEs (r > 0.8, p < 0.001) indicate similar sources and spatial
distribution of these elements in moss samples. Besides, the examined REEs, Sc,
La, Ce and Yb, showed strong and significant correlations with U, Th, Fe, Al, Li,
Zr and Hf indicating the similar behaviour and distribution patterns of REEs and all
these elements among sampling sites. High correlations between REEs and U, Th,
Fe, Al, Li, Zr and Hf showed the geochemical associations of REEs with radioactive elements, U and Th, and with the lithogenic elements, Fe, Al, Li, Zr and Hf
by indicating high effects of geogenic factors and wind blowing soil dust particles.
The obtained correlations between REEs were tested by linear regression models
between the pairs of correlated elements (Fig. 3.10).
3.4.7 Barium, Ba
Ba is a naturally occurring element. It is found in small quantity in the earth’s crust,
particularly in igneous rocks, sandstone, shale, and coal. Barium enters the environment naturally through the weathering of rocks and minerals, and anthropogenically
through the releases from the industrial processes (ATSDR 2007). The air contains
about 0.0015 ppb Ba, and in industrial areas it goes to 0.33 ppb (ATSDR 2007).
The background level of Ba in current moss was 7.78 mg kg
−1 . Organometallic Ba
compounds added as diesel fuel’ additives may reduce the smoke emission from the
diesel engines that are followed with Ba emission in the air mostly in the form of Ba
sulfate and carbonate (Miner 1969). The estimated maximum emission of Ba from
a diesel engine would be on the order of 48 µg m
−3 of exhaust (Miner 1969).
Ba showed a moderate variation (CV % = 41%) in moss samples of this study.
It showed strong and significant correlations (r > 0.6, p < 0.01) with typical crustal
elements such as Li, Sr, Ti, and Al, and moderate and significant correlations (r =
0.4 − 0.6, p < 0.01) with V, Zr, Hf, Sc, La, Ce, Yb, Th, U, Fe, Ta, W, and Cs that
probably indicate the lithogenic origin of Ba derived from wind blowing soil dust
particles. The spatial analysis of Ba (linear model) (Fig. 3.11) indicated a stable and
uniform distribution over the entire territory of the country (Ba = 20.63 − 0.002 ×
n, n represents the number of sampling site) by indicating the presence of long-range
transport and wind blowing fine dust particles.
39
On the other hand, the distribution patterns of La and Ce in moss samples usually
reflect the distribution of all rare earth elements (REEs) that show high correlations with La and Ce. In order to investigate the relationships between the elements,
Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed onto REE concentration data (see the
Appendix, Table A.1). Very strong and significant correlations between La and Ce
with Sc and other REEs (r > 0.8, p < 0.001) indicate similar sources and spatial
distribution of these elements in moss samples. Besides, the examined REEs, Sc,
La, Ce and Yb, showed strong and significant correlations with U, Th, Fe, Al, Li,
Zr and Hf indicating the similar behaviour and distribution patterns of REEs and all
these elements among sampling sites. High correlations between REEs and U, Th,
Fe, Al, Li, Zr and Hf showed the geochemical associations of REEs with radioactive elements, U and Th, and with the lithogenic elements, Fe, Al, Li, Zr and Hf
by indicating high effects of geogenic factors and wind blowing soil dust particles.
The obtained correlations between REEs were tested by linear regression models
between the pairs of correlated elements (Fig. 3.10).
3.4.7 Barium, Ba
Ba is a naturally occurring element. It is found in small quantity in the earth’s crust,
particularly in igneous rocks, sandstone, shale, and coal. Barium enters the environment naturally through the weathering of rocks and minerals, and anthropogenically
through the releases from the industrial processes (ATSDR 2007). The air contains
about 0.0015 ppb Ba, and in industrial areas it goes to 0.33 ppb (ATSDR 2007).
The background level of Ba in current moss was 7.78 mg kg
−1 . Organometallic Ba
compounds added as diesel fuel’ additives may reduce the smoke emission from the
diesel engines that are followed with Ba emission in the air mostly in the form of Ba
sulfate and carbonate (Miner 1969). The estimated maximum emission of Ba from
a diesel engine would be on the order of 48 µg m
−3 of exhaust (Miner 1969).
Ba showed a moderate variation (CV % = 41%) in moss samples of this study.
It showed strong and significant correlations (r > 0.6, p < 0.01) with typical crustal
elements such as Li, Sr, Ti, and Al, and moderate and significant correlations (r =
0.4 − 0.6, p < 0.01) with V, Zr, Hf, Sc, La, Ce, Yb, Th, U, Fe, Ta, W, and Cs that
probably indicate the lithogenic origin of Ba derived from wind blowing soil dust
particles. The spatial analysis of Ba (linear model) (Fig. 3.11) indicated a stable and
uniform distribution over the entire territory of the country (Ba = 20.63 − 0.002 ×
n, n represents the number of sampling site) by indicating the presence of long-range
transport and wind blowing fine dust particles.