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Papers
61,005 resultsAccumulation of Atmospheric Metals and Nitrogen Deposition in Mosses: Temporal Development between 1990 and 2020, Comparison with Emission Data and Tree Canopy Drip Effects
Researchers analyzed 30 years of European moss monitoring data from 1990 to 2020, tracking temporal trends in atmospheric deposition of metals and nitrogen, with the 2020 campaign also including the first broad-scale measurement of microplastic accumulation in mosses.
The Use of Mosses in Biomonitoring of Air Pollution in the Terrestrial Environment: A Review
This paper is not about microplastics; it reviews the use of mosses as biomonitors for air pollution by metals and organic compounds.
Accumulation of atmospheric metal and nitrogen deposition in mosses 1990-2020, comparison with emission data and tree canopy drip effects
This European monitoring study tracked heavy metal and nitrogen deposition in mosses from 1990 to 2020, finding declining metal levels in most countries due to emissions reductions. The findings provide context for understanding how industrial pollution accumulates in remote terrestrial ecosystems.
Microplastics and Persistent organic pollutants in moss samples from Germany
Researchers analyzed moss samples from Germany for both microplastics and persistent organic pollutants to assess atmospheric deposition. Mosses act as passive collectors of airborne contaminants, and the study documents widespread co-exposure to plastic particles and legacy chemicals in terrestrial ecosystems.
Monitoring moss reveals widespread deposition of airborne microplastics across the UK – practical lessons and recommendations
Researchers evaluated the use of moss as a biomonitor for atmospheric microplastic deposition across the UK, drawing on established protocols for monitoring metals and nutrients in mosses. The study demonstrated that moss biomonitoring is practical for large-scale spatial surveys and provided recommendations for standardized collection, processing, and quantification methods.
Determination of atmospherically deposited microplastics in moss samples
Researchers developed and evaluated methods for detecting atmospherically deposited microplastics in moss samples, adapting established moss biomonitoring frameworks used for heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants to enable both particle-based and mass-based microplastic analysis.
Air Quality Assessment by Moss Biomonitoring and Trace Metals Atmospheric Deposition
Researchers used moss biomonitoring with Hypnum cupressiforme across Albania to assess atmospheric deposition of trace metals, identifying anthropogenic pollution hotspots and demonstrating that moss can serve as a cost-effective tool for monitoring air quality and microplastic deposition at national scale.
Multivariate Analysis of Factors Influencing the Concentration of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Mosses Sampled Across Germany in 2020
Mosses growing across Germany were analyzed as living pollution sensors, and the results show that concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in mosses are driven by a combination of large-scale atmospheric drift and proximity to local industrial or agricultural sources. Microplastics in the mosses were harder to model statistically, with only styrene-butadiene rubber and polyethylene particles showing meaningful patterns linked to nearby sources. The study reinforces the value of national moss monitoring networks for tracking atmospheric pollution, but highlights that denser sampling is needed to reliably map microplastic deposition across a country.
Potential Role of Mosses in Evaluating Airborne Microplastic Deposition in Terrestrial Ecosystems
This review examines the potential of mosses to serve as cost-effective biomonitors for tracking airborne microplastic deposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Preliminary studies indicate that mosses accumulate higher concentrations of microplastics than lichens, likely due to their physical structure. The study outlines steps needed to develop a standardized, reliable methodology for using mosses to monitor airborne microplastic pollution across both inhabited and remote regions.
Mapping of measured concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mosses and correlation of their surface estimations with maps on modelled atmospheric deposition in Central Europe
Researchers conducted a German pilot moss survey analyzing persistent organic pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and microplastics to validate new analytical methods and map the spatial distribution of atmospheric contaminants across the country.
Moss as a biomonitor for the atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic microfibres
Researchers used moss (Bryophyta) as a passive biomonitor to track atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic microfibres, finding that moss samples from various locations accumulated synthetic fibres reflecting local sources of airborne plastic contamination. The study establishes moss monitoring as a practical method for assessing microplastic atmospheric deposition without active collection equipment.
Mapping of measured concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mosses and correlation of their surface estimations with maps on modelled atmospheric deposition in Central Europe
Researchers conducted a German pilot moss survey to validate analytical methods for organic contaminants and develop microplastic analysis methodology, mapping the spatial distribution of persistent organic pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons across Germany.
Moss, Lichens and Phytobenthos Bioindicators of Pollution
This review discusses the use of mosses, lichens, and aquatic algae as biomonitors of heavy metal pollution in air and water, covering both monitoring techniques and recent case studies. It is focused on heavy metal monitoring rather than microplastics specifically, but biomonitoring methods discussed are relevant to broader environmental pollution assessment.
Determination of atmospherically deposited microplastics in moss: Method development and performance evaluation
German researchers developed a new method called µPEEL to extract microplastics from moss samples for atmospheric deposition monitoring, enabling both particle-count (Raman) and mass-based (thermal desorption GC-MS) analysis while avoiding harsh chemicals. The method outperformed conventional Fenton reagent digestion on environmental greenness and data quality metrics. Mosses are already used to monitor atmospheric heavy metals and nitrogen, and this work expands their utility to tracking airborne microplastic fallout.
Assessment of Atmospheric Pollution by Selected Elements and PAHs during 12-Month Active Biomonitoring of Terrestrial Mosses
This 12-month study used three species of moss to monitor atmospheric pollution from heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, finding that different moss species were better suited for tracking different pollutant types. Element concentrations increased steadily over time, while organic pollutants peaked around 5 to 6 months of exposure. While focused on air quality monitoring, these biomonitoring techniques could potentially be adapted to track airborne microplastic deposition in communities.
Comparison of Lichens and Mosses as Biomonitors of Airborne Microplastics
Researchers compared lichens and mosses as biomonitors for airborne microplastics, finding that both organisms effectively capture and accumulate atmospheric microplastic particles, offering a simpler alternative to traditional labor-intensive sampling methods.
The temporal evolution of atmospheric microplastic deposition using sphagnum moss archives
Researchers analyzed long-term trends in atmospheric microplastic deposition at multiple sites, finding that deposition rates varied with season, land use, and meteorological conditions. The temporal data provide evidence that airborne microplastics have been accumulating in terrestrial ecosystems for decades.
Spatial patterns and temporal trends of trace elements in mosses from 1990 to 2020 in Germany
Researchers analyzed spatial patterns and temporal trends in trace element concentrations in mosses across Germany from 1990 to 2020, using moss bioaccumulation as an indirect measure of atmospheric deposition trends for the Geneva Air Pollution Convention. The study identified significant changes in metal deposition patterns over three decades, with implications for air quality monitoring and environmental policy.
Moss Bags as Biomonitors of Atmospheric Microplastic Deposition in Urban Environments
Researchers tested moss bags as a biomonitoring tool for measuring atmospheric microplastic deposition across an urban gradient in southern Ontario, Canada. They found that moss bags effectively captured microplastics, with higher deposition in more urbanized areas. The study demonstrates that moss-based monitoring is a practical, low-cost method for tracking airborne microplastic pollution in cities.
Global ambient air quality monitoring: Can mosses help? A systematic meta-analysis of literature about passive moss biomonitoring
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 123 studies on moss-based passive biomonitoring, finding that mosses can serve as natural sensors for atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and organic pollutants, offering a cost-effective complement to conventional air quality monitoring networks especially in developing regions.
Mapping spatial and temporal trends of atmospheric deposition of nitrogen at the landscape level in Germany 2005, 2015 and 2020 and their comparison with emission data
Researchers used moss biomonitoring across Germany as part of the European Moss Survey to map atmospheric nitrogen deposition in 2005, 2015, and 2020, finding an overall 8% increase between 2015 and 2020 that did not match emission inventory trends, highlighting a gap between reported emissions and actual deposition.
Assessment of the air quality in an industrial zone using active moss biomonitoring
This paper is not relevant to microplastics — it uses moss-bag biomonitoring to assess heavy metal air pollution near a metallurgical industrial facility in Tula, Russia.
Biomonitoring of Airborne Microplastic Deposition in Semi-Natural and Rural Sites Using the Moss Hypnum cupressiforme
Researchers demonstrated that the native moss Hypnum cupressiforme can serve as a biomonitor of atmospheric microplastic deposition, detecting synthetic fibers and fragments at semi-natural and rural sites in southern Italy and revealing that airborne microplastic contamination extends well beyond urban areas.
О Программе Организации Объединенных Наций «Атмосферные выпадения тяжелых металлов в Европе – оценки на основе анализа мхов-биомониторов»
This Russian-language paper reviews the UN program monitoring heavy metal deposition across Europe using mosses as biological monitors. Heavy metals like lead and cadmium can bind to microplastics in the environment, making coordinated pollution monitoring important for assessing combined exposure risks.