HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lembrechts, J. F. M. Articles by Vanderborght, O. L. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Lembrechts, J. F. M. Articles by Vanderborght, O. L. J. Agricola Articles by Lembrechts, J. F. M. Articles by Vanderborght, O. L. J.

Mineral Content of Sphagnum Mosses in Belgian Bog Ecosystems¹

ABSTRACT

The concentrations of 11 elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, P, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) were determined in nine Sphagnum species, collected in minerotrophic and ombrotrophic bogs in northern ("De Antwerpse Kempen") and eastern ("Les Hautes Fagnes") Belgium. The concentrations of all elements, except Ca, Zn, and Mn, were positively related to the moistness of the habitat. Differences in the behavior of the individual elements are explained by differences in origin, physical properties, and biological importance. The Ca and Cu levels were lower in "Les Hautes Fagnes" due to differences in air pollution (Cu) or trophic status of the sampling sites (Ca). The concentrations of all elements, except Ca, Mg, and Mn, exceeded those of Sphagnum from Canada and Scandinavia, probably indicating a higher trophic status or a higher industrial and agricultural pollution level in the areas investigated.

Key Words: air pollution • water quality • nutrients • trace elements • bryophytes

¹ Radionuclide Metabolism Lab., Belgian Nuclear Centre SCK/CEN, B-2400 Mol (Belgium); research partly supported by the Commission of the European Communities, Environment Programme, contract 05-408.

² University of Antwerp, Biology Dep.

Received for publication December 16, 1983.