Estimating Background Values of Potentially Toxic Elements Accumulated in Moss: A Case Study from Switzerland

Although the use of moss as biomonitor air pollution is relatively simple, interpretation data needs reference values. Background values for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn accumulated in samples from Switzerland, collected every five years 1995 to 2015 framework European Moss Survey, were statistically estimated. These background can be used assessment spatial temporal trends, expressed terms bioaccumulation ratios with actual The annual great importance identify while period-wide trends. latter are consistent those reported other comprehensive similar biomonitoring studies Europe required updated time, possibly years. cutoff benchmark invaluable having a scale assessing ecological quality.