To assess the uptake of nanoparticles by moss shoots and the possibility of biomonitoring the moss of nanoparticle pollution, two moss species frequently used in biomonitoring surveys [Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Schimp. and Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt.] were repeatedly exposed to known concentrations of either nano-TiO2 or nano-ZnO suspensions. The interspecies differences were assessed by exposing both the species to 1 g L-1 nano-ZnO suspension, H. splendens samples were also exposed to either 0.1 g L-1 or 1 g L-1 suspension of nano TiO2. The exposed samples were analysed for Zn or Ti content using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. Both species showed a similar accumulation pattern, H. splendens being a slightly better accumulator. The washing suggests that Ti successfully penetrated the interior of the gametophyte. Since the relationship between the exposure and accumulation is linear, moss biomonitoring is, hereby, considered to be a viable, novel technique in nanoparticle pollution assessment.
Keywords: Biomonitoring; Moss; Nano-TiO2; Nano-ZnO; Pollution.