Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Pleurozium schreberi under the aerotechnogenic impact
Using high performance liquid chromatography in a gradient mode, a complex research of qualitative and quantitative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) composition was conducted at the surface and in the tissues of moss Pleurozium schreberi Brid. at the control site in comparison with site 5 km from the “Vorkutinskaya” coal mine and at the sites situated 0.5; 1 and 1.5 km from the mine, taking into account wind rose. 13 PAHs were found in the moss. PAHs at the surface and in the tissues were presented mainly by light polyarenes. Phenanthrene was the main component of the total PAHs at the control site; naphthalene - at the remote and contaminated sites. We revealed significant excess of both surface and tissue PAHs against the background values at the remote site and the sites under contamination. Tissue accumulation of PAH was more active than surface accumulation. PAH content demonstrates a clear downward trend increasing the distance from the mine. The surface accumulation sharply reduces at the site 1 km from the mine. The cell accumulation is clearer at the site 1.5 km from the mine. Contribution of the surface contamination to the total PAHs decreases in the line from the control and remote sites to the contaminated ones. We suppose that PAH accumulation increases when the high molecular PAHs fall on the moss surface more intensive. PAH profiles of living and dead part of P. schreberi are identical and differences in PAH accumulation are insignificant. There is a tendency to prevalent PAH accumulation in the dead part of the moss. P. schreberi, due to its wide distribution and active PAH accumulation, can be used in bioindication of areas affected by coal mining industry.