Active Biomonitoring of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Aquatic Environment Using Mosses and Algae

In this paper, we present an analysis of the pollution surface water and air by heavy metals: Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd Pb in area smelter Ozimek (Opolskie Voivodeship, Poland). The marine algae Palmaria palmata was exposed Mała Panew River, three species forest mosses: Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum fallax Dicranum polysetum were also applied. Active biomonitoring carried out using P. schreberi mosses to assess pollution, since river are influenced smelter’s activities. Analytes determined atomic absorption spectrometry. Student’s T-test Mann–Whitney U test used significance differences elemental concentrations between mosses. Forest found have comparable sorption properties under laboratory conditions. During exposure river, statistical these matrices. results studies offer possibility their inclusion aquatic ecosystem monitoring as alternative existing classical biomonitors. Perspectively, attention should be paid comparing with order optimize system