Biomonitoring Atmospheric Pollution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Using Mosses

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as the main components of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), are carcinogenic organic pollutants that occur widely in the atmospheric environment with increasing concentration. Moreover, PAHs are widespread all over the world due to their high volatility and long-range transport potential. The monitoring of atmospheric PAHs is often limited by working conditions, especially around oil field operation areas and other industrial areas. Mosses (Bryophyta), the most sensitive atmosphere pollution indicators, can be easily collected and have been used to monitor atmospheric pollutants including PAHs. Thus, characteristics and influencing factors of mosses' absorption and accumulation of PAHs in the atmosphere were discussed, and the application of mosses in the biomonitoring of atmospheric PAHs were summarized. Biomonitoring mosses include Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme, Thamnobryum alopecurum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium scheberi, etc. Currently, the main methods for monitoring PAHs by mosses are biomonitoring with the chemical analysis method, the index of atmospheric purity (IAP) method, the ecological survey method, and the Moss-bag technique. Biomonitoring of atmospheric PAHs using mosses has a relatively wide range of prospects.

Automated summary

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the main components of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), are widely distributed and continue to increase in the atmosphere, and are considered carcinogenic. Mosses have been identified as sensitive indicators of atmospheric pollution and have been used to monitor PAHs. This study discusses the absorption and accumulation characteristics of PAHs in mosses, as well as the factors influencing their accumulation. Various methods, including chemical analysis, the index of atmospheric purity (IAP), ecological surveys, and the Moss-bag technique, have been used for PAHs monitoring using mosses. The use of mosses for the biomonitoring of atmospheric PAHs shows promising prospects.