Comparison of active measurements, lichen biomonitoring, and passive sampling for atmospheric mercury monitoring

• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33582-6
• Publication Date: 2024-05-14T01:02:12Z
• Authors: Jan Gačnik; Igor Živković; Jože Kotnik; Dominik Božič; Antonella Tassone; Attilio Naccarato; Nicola Pirrone; Francesca Sprovieri; Alexandra Steffen; Milena Horvat
• Keywords: Mercury; Environmental Monitoring; Active monitoring

The number of atmospheric mercury (Hg) monitoring stations is growing globally. However, there are still many regions and locations where Hg limited or non-existent. Expansion the network could be facilitated by use cost-effective methods. As such, biomonitoring passive offer a unique alternative to well-established active measurements, since they do not require power supply minimal workload operate. (lichens mosses) air samplers (PASs) (various designs with synthetic materials) has been reported in literature, comparisons measurement methods have also made. these studies compared either PASs (not both) only one type measurement. In our work, we used transplanted (7 sampling sites) situ lichens (8 for biomonitoring, two from different producers (3 sites), types (continuous discontinuous 1 8 sites, respectively) evaluate their effectiveness as 9-month campaign, 3 characteristics (unpolluted, vicinity cement plant, former mine) were used. results obtained clearly distinguished between concentrations; using both together increased confidence observations. present work shows that can effectively identify areas elevated concentrations. same said measurements; however, discrepancy concentrations derived measurements should further investigated future.