SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF ARSENIC AND HEAVY METALS IN A HIGHLAND TEA PLANTATION USING LICHENS AND MOSSES AS BIO-MONITORS

A study was carried out to assess the presence and distribution of heavy metal pollutants in Lichen species Platismatia glauca and moss species Meiothecium microcarpum found in a highland tea plantation area in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. In the study As, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni were analyzed. The As and heavy metals concentrations were analyzed using multi-elements Energy Dispersive X-rays Fluorescence technique (EDXRF). Results showed that the mean concentration of the metals can be arranged in decreasing order as Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>Cd>As>Ni for lichen and Zn>Cu>Pb>Ni>Cr>Cd>As for moss. However based on anthropogenic factor, the degree of anthropogenic pollution follows identical decreasing order of Cd>Zn>Pb>As>Cu>Cr>Ni, where the samples were enriched by Cd and Zn. The average effects of As and heavy metals showed the area is not polluted. The correlation and PCA studies on the metals indicated that majorities are of natural origins, except for Cd and Zn. Cd is attributed to phosphate fertilizers, solid waste incineration and fossil fuel burning, while Zn from tires wares and tears and also fossil fuel combustion. Distribution patterns of all As and heavy metals showed very much dependent on types of elements and location factor within the study area.