@article{env2014215,
author={{Ite, Aniefiok E. and Udousoro, Imaobong I. and Ibok, Udo J.},
title={Distribution of Some Atmospheric Heavy Metals in Lichen and Moss Samples Collected from Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria},
journal={American Journal of Environmental Protection},
volume={2},
number={1},
pages={22--31},
year={2014},
url={http://pubs.sciepub.com/env/2/1/5},
issn={2328-7233},
abstract={The atmospheric deposition of some heavy metals was investigated using lichen (<i>Parmelia</i><i> </i><i>caperata</i>) and moss (<i>Polytrichum</i><i> </i><i>juniperinum,</i><i> </i><i>Calymperes</i><i> </i><i>erosum</i><i> </i><i>and</i><i> </i><i>Racopilum</i><i> </i><i>africanum</i>) samples collected from two oil每producing host communities viz Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Lichen and moss samples were analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry equipped with flame and graphite furnace after decomposition using acid digestion technique. The concentrations of heavy metals in lichen and moss samples ranged from 0.001 每 0.092 米g g<SUP>?1</SUP> for cadmium (Cd); 0.004 每 8.793 米g g<SUP>?1</SUP> for chromium (Cr); 0.989 每 1.950 米g g<SUP>?1</SUP> for cobalt (Co); 2.350 每 110.760 米g g<SUP>?1</SUP><SUP> </SUP>for copper (Cu); 10.530 每 153.320 米g g<SUP>?1</SUP> for manganese (Mn); 1.425 每 21.730 米g g<SUP>?1</SUP> for nickel (Ni); 0.001 每 17.380 米g g<SUP>?1</SUP> for lead (Pb), and 23.530 每 130.600 米g g<SUP>?1</SUP> for zinc (Zn). The statistical significance of correlations between Cu每Pb, Cu每Zn, Pb每Ni and Mn每Zn concentrations confirmed anthropogenic sources mainly due to emissions from vehicular traffic, fossil fuel combustion, solid waste disposal and other local anthropogenic activities. In a direct comparison, some of the target heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn were accumulated at higher concentrations in moss samples compared to lichen from the same sampling site. The results obtained reveal important contributions towards understanding of heavy metal deposition patterns and provide baseline data that can be used for potential identification of areas at risk from atmospheric heavy metals contamination in the region. The use of epiphytic lichens and mosses provides a cost每effective approach for monitoring regional atmospheric heavy metal contamination and may be effectively used in large scale air pollution monitoring programmer.},
doi={10.12691/env-2-1-5}
publisher={Science and Education Publishing}
}