Stable sulphur isotope ratios in the moss species Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B.S.G. and Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. from the Kielce area (south-central Poland)

Isotopes Environ Health Stud. 2010 Jun;46(2):219-24. doi: 10.1080/10256016.2010.488725.

Abstract

Stable sulphur isotope determinations were performed on 18 moss samples collected at nine sites in forested areas of the city of Kielce. The delta(34)S of Hylocomium splendens varied from 4.4 to 7.1 per thousand, whereas the delta(34)S of Pleurozium schreberi was in the range of 3.7-9.1 per thousand. The Holy Cross Mountains mosses display a positive delta(34)S signature of airborne SO(2) and sulphates of anthropogenic origin, which is characteristic for this part of Europe. Some spatial variations in the delta(34)S of mosses are due to the interactions that occur between coal combustion emissions with diverse isotopic imprints, variations in wind direction and topographic features combined with biological fractionation.

MeSH terms

  • Altitude*
  • Bryopsida / classification
  • Bryopsida / growth & development
  • Bryopsida / metabolism*
  • Cities
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Geography
  • Poland
  • Sulfates / analysis
  • Sulfur Dioxide / analysis
  • Sulfur Isotopes / analysis*
  • Trees
  • Wind

Substances

  • Sulfates
  • Sulfur Isotopes
  • Sulfur Dioxide