Evaluation of zinc accumulation in moss (Pylaisia polyantha) growing near intensive traffic street based on modelling and experimental data

Abstract

Pylaisia polyantha moss growing near intensive traffic in Geležinis Vilkas street at Vingis Park (Vilnius) was selected as an indicator of environmental pollution. Two models were applied for the study: the Gaussian plume model – for zinc emission from automobiles calculation and mathematical model – for recalculating the zinc emission from transport to zinc concentration in moss. Moss samples were collected during spring, summer and autumn. There were no significant changes in Zn concentrations between these periods. Zn emission dispersion from pollution source was calculated only for one vehicle, in order to reach relationships between environmental conditions and dispersion of Zn emission from vehicle exhaust fumes pipe. It was detected that the concentration of Zn tends to decrease with the distance from the pollution source. It was observed that there was a strong relationship between wind speed and Zn concentration – the slower the wind speed, the higher concentration of zinc in moss.