Le Deposizioni Atmosferiche in una Micro-Area, Valutate Utilizzando Suoli e Muschi.

The spatial-temporal distribution of the fall out of various elements has been evaluated by using the moss of the HYPNUM CUPRESSIFORME species. The analysis of a few soil samples collected at the moss stations completed the evaluation. The investigated area is found in Arcola (La Spezia) where in the past was active a lead factory and is now used as a repository for the wastes and residues from the previous activity. Fifteen stations have been set on a three km2 area and the moss samples collected every four months. In the moss samples Al, As, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu and V and in the soils (one sampling only) As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn and Pb have been measured. In an area of 0.12 km2 the Pb, Cd and As annual fall out is significantly higher than the average one of the whole zone. For As and Cd a similar situation has been observed only in Norway, Czech Republic, Slovene Republic and Switzerland. for Pb, a value of 0.21 g m-2 y-1 has been found and is three times higher than the maximum european value measured in some areas in Poland. Concerning the soil samples, the concentrations observed in the 0.12 km2 area are respectively about 2-3 times higher than the ones found in the remainder area and in the La Spezia district. In this investigation the mosses have demonstrated to be a very efficient tool to measure qualitatively and quantitatively the contamination of natural areas with a cost largely lower than the one of the direct methods. ; JRC.(EI) - Environment Institute