Variability assessment of metals distributions due to anthropogenic and geogenic impact in the lead-zinc mine and flotation „Zletovo” environs (moss biomonitoring)

Moss species (Hypnum cupressiforme, Scleropodium purum and Campthotecium lutescens) were used as suitable sampling media for biomonitoring the origin of heavy metal pollution in the lead–zinc mine and flotation environ near the town of Probištip. The 21 metals contents were determined by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP–AES). Data processing was applied with combinations of multivariate statistical methods: factor analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The main anthropogenic markers in the investigated area were Pb and Zn (maximal values of 200 and 186 mg kg–1, respectively). The factor analysis singled out (in the increasing scale) the following associations: F1/D1: Fe < Mo < Pb < Na < Cd < Mg < Zn < Ag < Cu and F2/D2: Mn < Ni < K < P < Ba < Sr < Ca < As < Cr < Al < V < Li. The anthropogenic elements contents vary independent from the moss species, but depending on the distancing from the pollution source, there are positive correlation. Long distance distribution from the emission source doesn’t occur