Environmental Drivers of Trace Element Variability in <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw.: A Cross-Regional Moss Biomonitoring Study in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova
This study investigates the influence of environmental variables on the elemental composition of <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw. mosses in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, within moss biomonitoring studies aimed at analyzing atmospheric deposition patterns. Moss samples of <i>...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Omari Chaligava Inga Zinicovscaia Liliana Cepoi |
| author_facet | Omari Chaligava Inga Zinicovscaia Liliana Cepoi |
| author_sort | Omari Chaligava |
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| description | This study investigates the influence of environmental variables on the elemental composition of <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw. mosses in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, within moss biomonitoring studies aimed at analyzing atmospheric deposition patterns. Moss samples of <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i>, characterized by a cosmopolitan distribution and a wide range of habitats, were collected from diverse geographical and climatic zones and analyzed for Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn. Statistical methods (Spearman correlations, PCA, Kruskal–Wallis tests) were applied to evaluate interactions between elemental concentrations and factors such as topography, climate, land cover, etc. Results revealed strong correlations among lithogenic elements (Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, and V), indicating natural weathering sources, while Cu exhibited potential anthropogenic origins in the Republic of Moldova. Elevated Cd and Pb levels in Georgian high-altitude regions were linked to wet deposition and steep slopes, whereas Moldovan samples showed higher Sr and Zn concentrations, likely driven by soil erosion in carbonate chernozems. The study highlights geogenic and climatic influences on element accumulation by moss, offering insights into the effectiveness of moss biomonitoring across heterogeneous landscapes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fb6e9cb4047740b0849c8b0499b5ea4c |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-fb6e9cb4047740b0849c8b0499b5ea4c2025-07-11T14:42:03ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-07-011413204010.3390/plants14132040Environmental Drivers of Trace Element Variability in <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw.: A Cross-Regional Moss Biomonitoring Study in Georgia and the Republic of MoldovaOmari Chaligava0Inga Zinicovscaia1Liliana Cepoi2Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 6 Joliot-Curie Str., 141980 Dubna, RussiaJoint Institute for Nuclear Research, 6 Joliot-Curie Str., 141980 Dubna, RussiaDoctoral School of Natural Sciences, Moldova State University, 75A M. Kogalniceanu Str., MD-2009 Chisinau, MoldovaThis study investigates the influence of environmental variables on the elemental composition of <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw. mosses in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, within moss biomonitoring studies aimed at analyzing atmospheric deposition patterns. Moss samples of <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i>, characterized by a cosmopolitan distribution and a wide range of habitats, were collected from diverse geographical and climatic zones and analyzed for Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn. Statistical methods (Spearman correlations, PCA, Kruskal–Wallis tests) were applied to evaluate interactions between elemental concentrations and factors such as topography, climate, land cover, etc. Results revealed strong correlations among lithogenic elements (Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, and V), indicating natural weathering sources, while Cu exhibited potential anthropogenic origins in the Republic of Moldova. Elevated Cd and Pb levels in Georgian high-altitude regions were linked to wet deposition and steep slopes, whereas Moldovan samples showed higher Sr and Zn concentrations, likely driven by soil erosion in carbonate chernozems. The study highlights geogenic and climatic influences on element accumulation by moss, offering insights into the effectiveness of moss biomonitoring across heterogeneous landscapes.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/13/2040moss biomonitoring<i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw.trace elementsatmospheric depositionenvironmental variablesGeorgia |
| spellingShingle | Omari Chaligava Inga Zinicovscaia Liliana Cepoi Environmental Drivers of Trace Element Variability in <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw.: A Cross-Regional Moss Biomonitoring Study in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova Plants moss biomonitoring <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw. trace elements atmospheric deposition environmental variables Georgia |
| title | Environmental Drivers of Trace Element Variability in <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw.: A Cross-Regional Moss Biomonitoring Study in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova |
| title_full | Environmental Drivers of Trace Element Variability in <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw.: A Cross-Regional Moss Biomonitoring Study in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova |
| title_fullStr | Environmental Drivers of Trace Element Variability in <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw.: A Cross-Regional Moss Biomonitoring Study in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova |
| title_full_unstemmed | Environmental Drivers of Trace Element Variability in <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw.: A Cross-Regional Moss Biomonitoring Study in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova |
| title_short | Environmental Drivers of Trace Element Variability in <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw.: A Cross-Regional Moss Biomonitoring Study in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova |
| title_sort | environmental drivers of trace element variability in i hypnum cupressiforme i hedw a cross regional moss biomonitoring study in georgia and the republic of moldova |
| topic | moss biomonitoring <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw. trace elements atmospheric deposition environmental variables Georgia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/13/2040 |
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