HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICITY: A CASE STUDY IN SOUTH ALBANIA

An exposure to heavy metals is a significant problem of environmental toxicology. Owing to their toxicity and their possible bioaccumulation, these compounds should be subject to mandatory monitoring. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of contamination wich plants are burdened with some heavy metals: Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn. This paper analyzes the heavy metal contents within a 3-years period in the mosses. The use of native terrestrial mosses as biomonitors is now a well-recognized technique in studies of atmospheric contamination. Samples of the terrestrial moss Hypnum cupressiforme were collected in September ? October 2010 from 16 sites according to the guidelines of the LRTAP Convention?ICP Vegetation. Collected moss samples were cleaned and totally digested by using microwave digestion system. The content of elements was determined by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP?AES). The variations of heavy metals concentrations with sampling sites are shown in heavy metal contamination diagrams. Contamination factor indicates severe contamination of As, Cd, Mn and Ni at some sampling sites. However, extreme contamination was not recorded at any sites for any metals.