This research is a part of the international programme (ICP Vegetation
Programme, UNECE) investigating the impacts of air pollutants on crops and
natural vegetation. The bryophyte moss species Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw) sps.
were used as bioindicators of trace metal atmospheric deposition. Bryophytes act as
precise and sensitive bioindicators as well as bioaccumulators of metal deposition in
the environment. The goal of this study was to identify factors leading to the high
levels of trace metals in atmospheric deposition in Albania identified by 2010/2011
moss biomonitoring surveys and to extend the study to the associations and the
relationships between the element contents. It may help to identify the most
probable sources of the metals origin and the areas at risk to humans and environmental ecosystems.
Wide ranges of metal concentrations were found for Al, As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co,
Cr, Fe, V, Eu, Tm, Lu and Mn. The highest content of Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn and V was
found in the eastern part of the country that is characterized by lower population
density compared with the western part. Air quality of Albania is comparable with
the neighbouring countries. The problems to the high content of Cr, Ni, V, Al, Fe
and Hg, generally higher than the European countries, were identified, and the
affecting factors are presented. The local emitters like iron and chromium metallurgy, cement industry, oil refinery, mining industry and long-range transport were
distinguished as main contributors of trace metals in atmospheric deposition of
Albania. In addition, the natural sources, from the accumulation of these metals in
mosses caused by metal enriched soils, associated with wind blowing fine mineral
dust particles were pointed as another possibility of local emitting factors. It was
found that the local emitting sources had shown higher contribution than the
long-range transport for elements with high content.
Tirana, Albania
Pranvera Lazo
Flora Qarri
Shaniko Allajbeu
Sonila Kane
Lirim Bekteshi
Marina Frontasyeva
May 2020
Trajce Stafilov
References
Fattorini D, Regoli F (2020) Role of the chronic air pollution levels in the Covid-19 outbreak risk
in Italy. Environ Pollut https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114732
Harmens H, Mills G, Hayes F, Sharps K, Frontasyeva M, and the participants of the ICP
Vegetation (2015) Air pollution and vegetation. ICP Vegetation annual report 2014/2015.
ISBN: 978-1-906698-55-3
viii
Preface
Programme, UNECE) investigating the impacts of air pollutants on crops and
natural vegetation. The bryophyte moss species Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw) sps.
were used as bioindicators of trace metal atmospheric deposition. Bryophytes act as
precise and sensitive bioindicators as well as bioaccumulators of metal deposition in
the environment. The goal of this study was to identify factors leading to the high
levels of trace metals in atmospheric deposition in Albania identified by 2010/2011
moss biomonitoring surveys and to extend the study to the associations and the
relationships between the element contents. It may help to identify the most
probable sources of the metals origin and the areas at risk to humans and environmental ecosystems.
Wide ranges of metal concentrations were found for Al, As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co,
Cr, Fe, V, Eu, Tm, Lu and Mn. The highest content of Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn and V was
found in the eastern part of the country that is characterized by lower population
density compared with the western part. Air quality of Albania is comparable with
the neighbouring countries. The problems to the high content of Cr, Ni, V, Al, Fe
and Hg, generally higher than the European countries, were identified, and the
affecting factors are presented. The local emitters like iron and chromium metallurgy, cement industry, oil refinery, mining industry and long-range transport were
distinguished as main contributors of trace metals in atmospheric deposition of
Albania. In addition, the natural sources, from the accumulation of these metals in
mosses caused by metal enriched soils, associated with wind blowing fine mineral
dust particles were pointed as another possibility of local emitting factors. It was
found that the local emitting sources had shown higher contribution than the
long-range transport for elements with high content.
Tirana, Albania
Pranvera Lazo
Flora Qarri
Shaniko Allajbeu
Sonila Kane
Lirim Bekteshi
Marina Frontasyeva
May 2020
Trajce Stafilov
References
Fattorini D, Regoli F (2020) Role of the chronic air pollution levels in the Covid-19 outbreak risk
in Italy. Environ Pollut https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114732
Harmens H, Mills G, Hayes F, Sharps K, Frontasyeva M, and the participants of the ICP
Vegetation (2015) Air pollution and vegetation. ICP Vegetation annual report 2014/2015.
ISBN: 978-1-906698-55-3
viii
Preface