Metals in Plant Functional Types of Ombrotrophic Peatlands in the Sudetes (SW Poland)

The Sudetes are remarkable for the variety and number of peat bogs which receive nutrients via precipitation from atmospheric deposition as the only source of minerals. As this type of peat bogs with a very low buffering capacity is affected in the Sudetes by long-range exhausts from the former Black Triangle, strong response to atmospheric contamination may be expected. Therefore these peat bogs are highly suitable for bioindication purposes. As a result, metal levels in peat and plants should be controlled to evaluate potential ecological damage and to devise treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in species from different plant functional types (PFTs): shrubs, evergreen dwarf shrubs, deciduous dwarf shrubs, tussock sedges, non-tussock sedges, forbs, Sphagnum mosses, brown mosses, liverworts, and algae collected from peat bogs of the Izera, Karkonosze, and Bystrzyckie Mountains. PFTs of the Karkonosze peat bogs situated above the upper forest line contained higher metal concentrations than those of the Izera and Bystrzyckie peat bogs from lower altitudes and surrounded by forests. Of all PFTs, the algae Zygogonium ericetorum accumulated the highest levels of Fe, Pb, and Zn. The PFTs of Sphagnum mosses were also very effective bioindicators of Cd, Cr, Fe, Hg, and Pb deposition to peat bog ecosystems. Pb, Fe, and Cr found in the examined vascular PFTs originated from atmospheric deposition. The results showed that airborne contaminants, including the ones connected with long-range transport, can make a significant contribution to a load of trace metals in peat bogs located above the upper forest line. These airborne depositions facilitate better recognition of the transport of contaminants carried over great distances and should be taken into account in monitoring and environmental protection programs. In particular, the results, first of all, show the differences in the bioaccumulation of metals in PFTs and their response to trace metal levels in such habitats. Of all PFTs, algae and Sphagnum mosses were the best choices for bioindication of trace metal pollution in ombrotrophic mountain mires. PFTs have not been used so far for investigating ombrotrophic mountain mires in Europe. Thus results of this investigation could be extended to this type of peat bogs in the mountains of Central Europe for better selection of PFTs for bioindication purposes.

Automated summary

The Sudetes mountain range is known for its diverse peat bogs, which rely on atmospheric precipitation as their only source of minerals. Due to the low buffering capacity of these peat bogs, they are highly responsive to atmospheric contamination, making them suitable for bioindication purposes. This study assessed the concentration of various metals in different plant functional types from peat bogs in the Sudetes, and found that the algae and Sphagnum mosses were the most effective indicators of trace metal pollution. Airborne contaminants, including those from long-range transport, were found to significantly contribute to trace metal levels in peat bogs located above the upper forest line. These findings highlight the importance of considering airborne depositions in monitoring and environmental protection programs.