148
5.6 Bioindication Screening Model
Certain surveys, especially in larger areas, require quick and easy screening of a
given area. Analytical techniques are absolutely dominant when it comes to quantification of chemical elements. But usually before setting up the monitoring experiment, it is necessary to scan a larger area in order to obtain semi-quantitative
information about the condition of the selected area. Rapid screening will aim to
provide information on where the most effective sub-areas are, where careful sampling network will need to be carefully generated later. Therefore, the aim of this
research is to propose a fast hemometric model for scanning contaminated areas
with heavy metals. This model is particularly applicable to large areas or areas
where certain incidents have occurred, for which the effect of pollution has yet to be
determined. To better understand the factors leading to metal binding in complex
moss matrix and trace metal fate, electron microscopic characterization of samples
will be conducted. Scanning electron microscopy can reveal the presence of trace
metal-specific incorporation in organic matrix in close association with biological
structures with consistent morphologies. For the present investigation, scanning
electron microscope model Hitachi (model SU8320) will be used in order to characterize the morphology, structure, and metal binding mechanisms. Furthermore,
another approach will be introduced for semi-quantitative screening of moss surface. Preliminary investigation has been implemented for improving this technique
for monitoring of surface dust physical transport.
5.6.1 Moss Sample Preparation
Three moss samples of Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw.) and Homalothecium lutescens (Hedw.) were collected in the period of September–October 2012, at the critical mining areas in the Eastern part of the Republic of North Macedonia (copper
mine and Pb-Zn mine). These samples were used in similar investigation as given
by Balabanova et al. (2017). Three sampling points were selected: two critically
affected and one control site. Depending on the conditions and the accessibility of
the locations, the species that is available and typical for the region was collected.
The moss sampling protocol was performed according to the set standard rules for
collection of such samples. The whole procedure was done in this order: one sampling spot is formed by collecting five sub-spots in the area of 50 × 50 m
2
. Every
spot of sampling network must be in a distance of minimum 300 m from main
roads, 100 m from local roads, and 200 m from villages. Moss samples were collected using polyethylene gloves, to prevent contamination of any further samples.
The collected material was stored in paper bags. After it was cleaned from other
plant species, soil individual plant samples are separated and air-dried for several
days. Dry samples were again placed in paper bags until analyses were performed.
B. Balabanova et al.
5.6 Bioindication Screening Model
Certain surveys, especially in larger areas, require quick and easy screening of a
given area. Analytical techniques are absolutely dominant when it comes to quantification of chemical elements. But usually before setting up the monitoring experiment, it is necessary to scan a larger area in order to obtain semi-quantitative
information about the condition of the selected area. Rapid screening will aim to
provide information on where the most effective sub-areas are, where careful sampling network will need to be carefully generated later. Therefore, the aim of this
research is to propose a fast hemometric model for scanning contaminated areas
with heavy metals. This model is particularly applicable to large areas or areas
where certain incidents have occurred, for which the effect of pollution has yet to be
determined. To better understand the factors leading to metal binding in complex
moss matrix and trace metal fate, electron microscopic characterization of samples
will be conducted. Scanning electron microscopy can reveal the presence of trace
metal-specific incorporation in organic matrix in close association with biological
structures with consistent morphologies. For the present investigation, scanning
electron microscope model Hitachi (model SU8320) will be used in order to characterize the morphology, structure, and metal binding mechanisms. Furthermore,
another approach will be introduced for semi-quantitative screening of moss surface. Preliminary investigation has been implemented for improving this technique
for monitoring of surface dust physical transport.
5.6.1 Moss Sample Preparation
Three moss samples of Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw.) and Homalothecium lutescens (Hedw.) were collected in the period of September–October 2012, at the critical mining areas in the Eastern part of the Republic of North Macedonia (copper
mine and Pb-Zn mine). These samples were used in similar investigation as given
by Balabanova et al. (2017). Three sampling points were selected: two critically
affected and one control site. Depending on the conditions and the accessibility of
the locations, the species that is available and typical for the region was collected.
The moss sampling protocol was performed according to the set standard rules for
collection of such samples. The whole procedure was done in this order: one sampling spot is formed by collecting five sub-spots in the area of 50 × 50 m
2
. Every
spot of sampling network must be in a distance of minimum 300 m from main
roads, 100 m from local roads, and 200 m from villages. Moss samples were collected using polyethylene gloves, to prevent contamination of any further samples.
The collected material was stored in paper bags. After it was cleaned from other
plant species, soil individual plant samples are separated and air-dried for several
days. Dry samples were again placed in paper bags until analyses were performed.
B. Balabanova et al.