Trend der Schwermetall-Bioakkumulation 1990 bis 2005: Qualit?tssicherung bei Probenahme, Analytik, geostatistischer Auswertung
详细信息 查看全文
- 作者：W. Schr?der (1)
R. Pesch (1)
Y. Matter (2)
A. G?ritz (2)
L. Genssler (3)
H. Dieffenbach-Fries (4) - 关键词：CART (Classification and Regression Trees) ; CHAID (Chisquare Automatic Interaction Detection) ; Geostatistik ; INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community) ; Moose ; Stoffanreicherungen ; Umweltkonzentration ; UN/ECE CLRTAP (übereinkommen über den weitr?umigen ; grenzüberschreitenden Transport von Luftverunreinigungen) ; Accumulation of substances ; CART (Classification and Regression Trees) ; CHAID (Chisquare Automatic Interaction Detection) ; Geostatistics ; INSPIRE (Infr
- 刊名：Environmental Sciences Europe
- 出版年：2009
- 出版时间：December 2009
- 年：2009
- 卷：21
- 期：6
- 页码：549-574
- 全文大小：1500KB
- 参考文献：1. Ashmore M, Bell S, Fowler D, Hill M, Jordan C, Nemitz E, Parry S, Pugh B, Reynolds B, Williams J (2000) Survey of the UK metal content of mosses 2000. Part II of EPG 1/3/144 final contract report. Development of a critical load methodology for toxic metals in soils and surface waters: stage II. University of Bradford, UK
2. Auerswald K, Wittmer MHOM, M?nnel TT, Bai YF, Sch?ufele R, Schnyder H (2009) Large regional scale variation in C3/C4 distribution pattern of Inner Mongolia steppe is revealed by grazer wool carbon isotope composition. Biogeosci Discuss 6:545-74
3. Baltes-G?tz B (2004) Entscheidungsbaumanlyse mit AnswerTree 3.1. http://www.uni-trier.de/urt/user/baltes/docs/at/v31/at31.pdf.
4. Bealey W, Cape JN, Leith ID, Long S, Kinnerlsey RP (2008a) Air quality outcomes in pollution regulation: strengths, limitations and potential. Science Report SC030175/SR1, CEH Project Number: C02600. Environment Agency, Bristol 1-7
5. Bealey WJ, Long S, Spurgeon DJ, Leith I, Cape JN (2008b) Review and implementation study of biomonitoring for assessment of air quality outcomes. Science Report -SC030175/SR2. Environment Agency, Bristol 1-70
6. Breimann L, Friedmann JA, Olshen RA, Stone CJ (1984) Classification and regression trees. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
7. Cambardella CA, Moorman TB, Novak JM, Parkin TB, Karlan DL, Turco RF, Konopka AE (1994) Field-scale variability of soil properties in central Iowa soils. Soil Sci Soc America J 58:1501-511
8. Castello M (2007) A comparison between two moss species used as transplants for airborne trace element biomonitoring in NE Italy. Environ Monit Assess 133:267-76
9. Co?kun M, Frontasyeva MV, Steinnes E, Cotuk AY, Pavlov SS, Co?kun?M, Sazonov AS, Cayir A, Belivermis M (2005) Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals in Thrace Studied by Analysis of Moss (Hypnum cupressiforme). B Environ Contam Tox 74:201-09
10. Diehl M S, Beard K (2009) Spatial analysis of atmiospheric deposition and terrestrial accumulation of mercury within Acadia National Park. Spatial Information Sciences Engineering, University of Maine, Orono. Northeastern Section -44th Annual Meeting (22-4 March 2009), Session No. 48: GIS Applications in Geoscience Teaching, Research and Map Production (http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2009NE/finalprogram/abstract_155805.htm)
11. Forster E-M, Matthies M, Brüggemann R (1993) Optimierung eines Bioindikator-Me?netzes mit geostatistischen Methoden und einem geographischen Informationssystem. Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 5:286-94
12. Fr?nzle O, Schimming CG (2008) Element fluxes in atmosphere, vegetation and soil. In: Fr?nzle O, Kappen L, Blume H P, Dierssen?K (Eds) Ecosystem organiszation of a complex landscape. Long-term research in the Bornh?ved Lake District, Germany. Berlin, Springer 169-05
13. Fr?nzle O, Stra?kraba M, J?rgensen S E (1995) Ecology and ecotoxicology Ullmann’s encyclopedia of industrial chemistry Vol B7, Weinheim, VCH 19-154
14. Fr?nzle S (2007) Prinzipien und Mechanismen der Verteilung und Essentialit?t von chemischen Elementen in pflanzlicher Biomasse -Ableitungen aus dem Biologischen System der Elemente. Habil-Schr Lehrstuhl für Landschafts?kologie, Hochschule Vechta
15. Funk W, Dammann V, Donnevert G (2006) Quality assurance in analytical chemistry. Applications in environmental, food and materials analysis, biotechnology and medical engineering. 2nd ed, Weinheim, Wiley-VCH
16. Gen?ler L, Rademacher J, Rammert U (2001) Arbeitskreis der Landesanstalten und -?mter Konzeption der künftigen Aufgabenbereiche. Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 13:1-
17. Gerdol R, Bragazza L (2006) Effects of altitude on element accumulation in alpine moss. Chemosphere 64:810-16
18. Gerdol R, Bragazza L, Marchesini R (2002) Element concentrations in the forest moss Hylocomium splendens: variation associated with altitude, net primary production and soil chemistry. Environ Pollut 116:129-35
19. Guderian R, Gunkel G (Hrsg. 2001) Handbuch der Umweltver?nderungen und ?kotoxikologie: Band 2b. Springer, Berlin, 563 S
20. Hagl S (2008) Schnelleinstieg Statistik -Daten erheben, analysieren, pr?sentieren. Freiburg, Berlin, München
21. Harmens H (2005) Monitoring of atmospheric deposition in Europe using bryophytes. Monitoring manual 2005/2006 survey. Bangor, UK
22. Harmens H, Norris D and the participants of the moss survey (2008) Spatial and temporal trends in heavy metal accumulation in mosses in Europe (1990-2005). Programme Coordination Centre for the ICP Vegetation, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor, UK
23. Herpin U (1997) Moose als Bioindikatoren von Schwermetalleintr?gen. M?glichkeiten und Grenzen für fl?chendeckende und zeitabh?ngige Aussagen. Dissertation, Universit?t Osnabrück
24. Herpin U, Siewers U, Markert B, Rosolen V, Breulmann G, Bernoux?M (2004) Second German heavy-metal survey by means of mosses, and comparison of the first and second approach in Germany and other European countries. Env Sc Pollut Res 11:57-6
25. Holy M, Pesch R, Schr?der W, Harmens H, Alber R, Aleksiayenak?Y, Blum O, Coskun M, Dam M, de Temmermann L, Frolova M, Frontasyeva M, Grodzińska K, Jeran Z, Kubin E, Kvietkus K, Leblond S, Liiv S, Magnússon S, Maňkovská B, Miodrag K, Rühling ?, Santamaria J, Steinnes E, Suchara I, Szymon K, Th?ni L, Urumov V, Yurukova L, Zechmeister (2009a) Europe-wide analysis of factors influencing the spatial variation of cadmium, lead and mercury concentrations in mosses In: Harmens H, Mills?G, Menichino N, Bender J, Weigel H (Eds) 22nd Task Force Meeting of the ICP Vegetation, 2- February 2009, Braunschweig. ICP Vegetation Programme Coordination Centre, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor, UK 26
26. Holy M, Leblond S, Pesch R, Schr?der W (2009b) Assessing spatial patterns of metal bioaccumulation in France by means of an exposure index. Environ Sci Poll Res (accepted)
27. ICP Vegetation (2005) Heavy metals in European mosses: 2005/2006 survey. Monitoring manual. ICP Vegetation Coordination Centre, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Bangor, UK
28. Ilyin I (2009) Modelled EMEP heavy metal deposition vs moss measurements: Evaluation of spatial patterns and log-term temporal trends In: Harmens H, Mills G, Menichino N, Bender J, Weigel?H (Eds) 22nd Task Force Meeting of the ICP Vegetation, 2- February 2009, Braunschweig. ICP Vegetation Programme Coordination Centre, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor, UK 27
29. Johnston K, Ver Hoef JM, Krivoruchko K, Lucas N (2001) Using ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst. Redlands
30. Kass GV (1980) An exploratory technique for investigating large quantities of categorial data. Appl Stat 29:199-27
31. Keil M, Kiefl R, Strunz G (2005) CORINE Land Cover 2000 -Germany. Final Report. German Aerospace Center, German Remote Sensing Data Center, Oberpfaffenhofen
32. Kerry R, Oliver M A (2008) Determinig nugget:sill ratios of standardized variograms from aerial photographs to krige sparse soil data. Precision Agric 9:33-6
33. Kleppin L, Pesch R, Schr?der W (2008a) CHAID-Models on boundary conditions of metal accumulation in mosses collected in Germany 1990, 1995 and 2000. Atmos Environ 42:5220-5231
34. Kleppin L, Schr?der W, Pesch R, Schmidt G (2008b) Entwicklung und Erprobung einer Metadaten- und WebGIS-Applikation für das Expositionsmonitoring mit Moosen in Deutschland Ein Beitrag zum LTER-Netzwerk. Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 20:38-8
35. Kostka-Rick R, Leffler U S, Markert B, Herpin U, Lusche M, Lehrke J (2001) Biomonitoring zur wirkungsbezogenen Ermittlung der Schadstoffbelastung in terrestrischen ?kosystemen Konzeption, Durchführung und Beurteilungsma?st?be im Rahmen von Genehmigungsverfahren. Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 12:5-2
36. Le Corre V, Roussel G, Zanetto A, Kremer A (1998) Geographical structure of gene diversity in Quercus petrea (Matt) Liebl III Patters of variation identified by geostatistical analyses. Hederdity 80:464-73
37. Leblond S, Rausch de Traubenberg C (2006) Etude des retombées atmosphériques de métaux en France. Estimation par dosage dans des mousses. Campagne 2006 du dispositif BRAMM (Biosurveillance des Retombées Atmosphériques Métalliques par les Mousses), Marché ADEME N° 0562C0036,?1er Rapport Intermédiaire, Paris
38. Leblond S, Rausch de Traubenberg C (2007) Etude des retombées atmosphériques de métaux en France. Estimation par dosage dans des mousses. Campagne 2006 du dispositif BRAMM (Biosurveillance des Retombées Atmosphériques Métalliques par les Mousses) -Paris. (Marché ADEME N° 0562C0036,?2ième Rapport Intermédiaire)
39. Lindberg SE, Turner RR (1988) Factors influencing atmospheric deposition, stream export, and landscape accumulation of trace metals in forested watersheds. Water Air Soil Pollut 39:123-56
40. MARSEP (International Manure and Refuse Sample Exchange Programme) (2000) Quarterly report 20003 Department Environmetal Sciences, Sub-Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Agricultural University Wageningen
41. Matheron G (1965) Les variables régionalisées et leur estimation. Paris: Masson
42. Mohr K (1999) Passives Monitoring von Stickstoffeintr?gen in Kiefernforsten mit dem Rotstengelmoos (Pleurozium schreberi (Brid) Mitt). Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 11:267-74
43. Mohr K (2007) Biomonitoring von Stickstoffimmissionen. M?glichkeiten und Grenzen von Bioindikationsverfahren. Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 19(4):255-64
44. Olajire A (1998) A survey of heavy metal deposition in Nigeria using the moss monitoring method. Environ Int 24(8):951-58
45. Onianwa PC (2001) Monitoring atmospheric metal pollution: a review of the use of mosses as indicators. Environ Monit Assess 71:13-0
46. Osborn D, Weeks J M, Hankard P, Dale L (2000) Potential uses of biomonitoring in pollution control -An introductory guide. Environment Agency Technical Report 1-19
47. Pesch R (2003) Geostatistische und multivariat-statistische Analyse des Moos-Monitoring 1990, 1995 und 2000 zur Ableitung von Indikatoren für die Bioakkumulation atmosph?rischer Metalleintr?ge in Deutschland. Dissertation, Hochschule Vechta
48. Pesch R, Holy M, Schr?der W (2008) Statistical investigation of the atmospheric accumulation of antimony and nitrogen in mosses In: Car A, Griesebner G, Strobl J (Eds): Geospatial Crossroads @ GI_Forum -8: Proceedings of the Geoinformatics Forum Salzburg Heidelberg, Wichmann 227-36
49. Pesch R, Schmidt G, Schr?der W, Aden C, Kleppin L, Holy M (2007a) Development, implementation and application of the WebGIS MossMet. In: Tochtermann K, Scharl A (Eds) The geospatial web. How geo-browsers, social software and the Web 2.0 are shaping the network society. London, Springer, 191-00
50. Pesch R, Schr?der W (2006) Integrative exposure assessment through classification and regression trees on bioaccumulation of metals, related sampling site characteristics and ecoregions. Ecol Inf 55-5
51. Pesch R, Schr?der W, Dieffenbach-Fries H, Gen?ler L, Kleppin L (2008) Optimierung des Moosmonitoring-Messnetzes in Deutschland Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 20:49-1
52. Pesch R, Schr?der W, Gen?ler L, G?ritz A, Holy M, Kleppin L, Matter?Y (2007b) Moos-Monitoring 2005/2006: Schwermetalle IV und Gesamtstickstoff. -Berlin (Umweltforschungsplan des Bundesministers für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit. FuE-Vorhaben 205 64 200, Abschlussbericht, im Auftrag des Umweltbundesamtes); 90 S., 11 Tab., 2 Abb. (Texteil); 51 S. + 41 Karten, 34 Tabellen, 46 Diagramme (Anhangsteil)
53. Poikolainen J (2004) Mosses, epiphytic lichens and tree bark as biomonitors for air pollutants -specifically for heavy metals in regional surveys. Dissertation, University of Oulu
54. Rühling A, Tyler G (1968) An ecological approach to the lead problem. Botaniska Notiser 121:321-43
55. Rühling A, Tyler G (1969) Ecology of heavy metals -a regional and historical study. Botaniska Notiser 121:248-59
56. Rühling A, Tyler G (1970) Sorption and retention of heavy metals in the woodland moss Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Br Et Sch Oikos 21:248-42
57. Schmidt-Grob I, Th?ni L, Hertz J (1991) übersicht über die Deposition von Arsen, Blei, Cadmium, Chrom, Cobalt, Eisen, Kupfer, Molybd?n, Nickel, Quecksilber, Schwefel, Thallium, Vanadium und Zink in der Schweiz mit Hilfe von Moosen als Biomonitoren. Forschungsstelle für Umweltbeobachtung, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
58. Schr?der W, Anhelm P, Bau H, Br?cker F, Matter Y, Mitze R, Mohr?K, Peichl L, Peiter A, Peronne T, Pesch R, Roostai AH, Roostai Z, Schmidt G, Siewers U (2002): Untersuchung von Schadstoffeintr?gen anhand von Bioindikatoren. Aus- und Bewertung der Ergebnisse aus dem Moos-Monitoring 1990, 1995 und 2000. Umweltforschungsplan des Bundesministers für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit. FuE-Vorhaben 200 64 218, Abschlussbericht Band 1 bis 3 + Synthesebericht, im Auftrag des Umweltbundesamtes. Berlin, 221 S, 29 Tab, 94?Abb.
59. Schr?der W, Englert C, Pesch R, Zechmeister HG, Th?ni L, Suchara?I, Maňkovská B, Jeran Z, Harmens H, Grodzinska K, Alber?R (2008) Metallakkumulation in Moosen: Stand?rtliche und regionale Randbedingungen des Biomonitoring von Luftverunreinigungen. Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 20:120-32
60. Schr?der W, Garbe-Sch?nberg CD, Fr?nzle O (1991) Die Validit?t von Umweltdaten Kriterien für ihre Zuverl?ssigkeit: Repr?sentativit?t, Qualit?tssicherung und –kontrolle. Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 3:237-41
61. Schr?der W, Hornsmann I, Pesch R, Schmidt G, Fr?nzle S, Wünschmann S, Heidenreich H, Markert B (2008) Moosmonitoring als Spiegel der Landnutzung? Stickstoff- und Metallakkumulation in Moosen zweier Regionen Mitteleuropas. Umweltwiss Schadst-Forsch 20:62-4
62. Schr?der W, Pesch R (2004) The 1990, 1995 and 2000 moss monitoring data in Germany and other European countries Trends and statistical aggregation of metal accumulation indicators. Gate Environ Health Sci, June 2004:1-5, DOI: http://dxdoiorg/101065/ehs200406011
63. Schr?der W, Pesch R (2005) Time series of metals in mosses and their correlation with selected sampling site-specific and ecoregional characteristics in Germany. Env Sci Pollut Res 12:159-67
64. Schr?der W, Pesch R, Schmidt G (2004) Soil monitoring in Germany Spatial representativity and methodical comparability. J Soils Sediments 4:49-8
65. Schr?der W, Schmidt G (2000) Raumgliederung für die ?kologische Umweltbeobachtung des Bundes und der L?nder. Umweltwiss Schadst Forsch 12:237-43
66. Siewers U, Herpin U, Stra?burger S (2000) Schwermetalleintr?ge in Deutschland Moos-Monitoring 1995 Teil 2. Geologisches Jahrbuch, Sonderhefte, Heft SD 3. Stuttgart, Borntr?ger
67. Smodi? B, Bleise A (2007) IAEA quality control study on determining trace elements in biological matrices for air pollution research. J?Radioan Nucl Ch 271:269-74
68. ?oltès R (1998) Correlation between altitude and heavy metal deposition in the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia). Biologia 53:85-0
69. Sparks T (2000) Statistics in ecotoxicology. Ecological and environmental toxicology series. Weinheim, Wiley-VCH
70. Steinnes E (1995) A critical evaluation of the use of naturally growing moss to monitor the deposition of atmospheric metals. Sci Total Environ 160/161:243-49
71. Steinnes E, Rühling ?, Lippo H, M?kinen A (1997) Reference materials for large-scale metal deposition surveys. Accredit Qual Assur 2(5):243-49
72. Stevens S S (1946) On the theory of scales of measurement. Science 103:677-80
73. Sucharova J, Suchara I (2004) Bio-monitoring the atmospheric deposition of elements and their compounds using moss analysis in the Czech Republic. Results of the international bio-monitoring programme UNECE ICP-Vegetation 2000. Part I: Elements required for the bio-monitoring programme. Acta Pruhoniciana 77, 135 S
74. Tyler G. (1990) Bryophytes and heavy metals: a literature review. Bot J Linnean Soc 104:231-53
75. van Dijk D, Houba VJG (1999) Wageningen evaluating programmes for analytical laboratories (WEPAL) Arh hig rada toksikol 50:31-6
76. Wappelhorst O, Korhammer S, Leffler U S, Markert B (2000) Ein Moosbiomonitoring zur Ermittlung atmosph?rischer Elementeintr?ge in die Euroregion Nei?e (D, PL, CZ) UWSF -Z Umweltchem ?kotox 12(4):191-00
77. Webster R, Oliver MA (2001) Geostatistics for environmental scientists. Chichester, New York, Weinheim, Brisbane, Singapore, Toronto, Wiley
78. Zechmeister HG (1994) Biomonitoring der Schwermetalldepositionen mittels Moosen in ?sterreich. Monographien des Umweltbundesamtes 42:1-68
79. Zechmeister HG (1995) Correlation between altitude and heavy metal deposition in the Alps. Environ Pollut 89:73-0
80. Zechmeister HG, Dullinger S, Hohenwallner D, Riss A, Hanus-Illnar?A, Scharf S (2006) Pilot study on road traffic emissions (PAHs, heavy metals) measured by using mosses in a tunnel experiment in Vienna, Austria. Env Sc Pollut Res 13:398-05
81. Zechmeister HG, Grodzinska K, Szarek-Lukaszewska G (2003) Bryophytes. In B.?A. Markert, A.?M. Breure, H.?G. Zechmeister (Eds.), Bioindicators & biomonitors. Principles, concepts and applications. Amsterdam, Elsevier 329-75
82. Zechmeister HG, K?llensperger G, Hann S, Hanus-Illnar A, Scharf?S, Schneider J, Neuberger M, Moshammer H, Hohenwallner D, Schierl R, Schr?der W, Schmidt G, Pirintsos SA, Loppi S, Gaggi?C, Nante N, Namiesnik J, Zygmunt B, Jeran Z, Perharic L, Künzli N, Frontasyeva M, Lyapunov S, Ilchenko I, Harmens H (2007) INDOMO. New tool for monitoring indoor pollutants with health relevance across Europe. Wien
83. Zhao B, Cai Q (2004) Geostatistical analysis of chlorophyll a in freshwater ecosystems. J Freshwater Ecol 19:613-21 - 作者单位：W. Schr?der (1)
R. Pesch (1)
Y. Matter (2)
A. G?ritz (2)
L. Genssler (3)
H. Dieffenbach-Fries (4)
1. Lehrstuhl für Landschafts?kologie, Hochschule Vechta, PF 1553, 46364, Vechta, Deutschland
2. Institut für Düngemittel und Saatgut, LUFA Nord-West, Finkenborner Weg 1A, 31787, Hameln, Deutschland
3. Landesamt für Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz Nordrhein-Westfalen, Leibnizstr. 10, 45610, Recklinghausen, Deutschland
4. Fachgebiet II 5.4, UBA-Dienstgeb?ude Langen, Umweltbundesamt, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 29, 63225, Langen, Deutschland - ISSN：2190-4715
文摘
Background, aim and scope Since 1990, the UN ECE Heavy Metals in Mosses Surveys provide data inventories of the atmospheric heavy metal bioaccumulation across national boundaries in Europe. The results prove how air pollution control in Germany and in all of Europe affected the bioaccumulation of metals in those ecosystems that are not directly influenced by nearby emission sources. This article focuses on the assessment of spatiotemporal patterns of the metal bioaccumulation in Germany since 1990. Furthermore, the spatial variance of the metal bioaccumulation is analysed with regard to sampling site-specific and regional land characteristics. Special focus hereby relies on the correlation of the metal concentration in mosses and in depositions. Hence, the moss surveys contribute to §-2 of the German Federal Nature Conservation Act as well as to the “Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution-(CLRTAP). Materials and methods The bioaccumulation of up to 40 trace elements in mosses was determined according to a European wide harmonised methodology. The according experimental protocol regulates the selection of sampling sites and moss species, the chemical analysis and quality control and the classification of the measured values for the mapping of spatial patterns. In Germany all sampling sites were described with regard to topographical and ecological criteria as well as other aspects seen as relevant in the mandatory guideline. Together with the measurements this metadata was combined with other information regarding emissions and land use in the surroundings of the sampling sites in the WebGIS MossMet. The spatial structure of the metal bioaccumulation was analysed and modeled by variogram analyses and then mapped by applying different kriging techniques. Furthermore, different multi-metal indices (MMI) were derived for both the sampling sites and raster maps with the help of percentile statistics: The MMI1990 aggregates the data for Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Ti, V and Zn determined in 1990. The MMI1995, MMI2000, MMI2005 furthermore include As, Cd, Hg and Sb for 1995, 2000 and 2005, respectively. Two other MMI allow for a time integrating view on the metal bioaccumulation in Germany: The MMI1990-005 was calculated on behalf of all measured/geostatistically estimated data for Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Ti, V and Zn. Therefore the integrated assessment of the metal bioaccumulation in Germany from 1990 to 2005 is possible. The MMI1995-005 furthermore includes the element-specific data of As, Cd, Hg and Sb therefore integrating 12 elements over the last three surveys. The statistical association of the metal bioaccumulation, site-specific characteristics as well as information on land use and emissions was analysed by bivariate correlation analysis and multivariate decision tree models (Classification and Regression Trees -CART, Chisquare Automatic Interaction Detection -CHAID). Results The results of the quality-controlled chemical analyses show a significant decrease of the metal bioaccumulation in Germany from 1990 to 2000. From 2000 to 2005 a further decrease can be stated for Hg, Pb and Ti. However, a significant increase for Cd, Cr, Cu, Sb and Zn can be observed. This especially holds true for Cr (+ 160-) that almost reaches as high concentrations in mosses as in 1990. In 2005, the metal loads in mosses, except for Cr, show spatial distributions similar to those in 1990, 1995 and 2000. Hot spots are mostly found in the urbanised and industrially influenced Ruhr Area, the densely populated Rhine–Main region and in the industrially influenced regions of former East Germany (e.?g. Halle–Leipzig region). The spatial variance of the metal bioaccumulation can mainly be explained by site-specific (moss species, canopy drip effects) and site-surrounding (land use, depositions, emissions) characteristics. Discussion High Cr loads in mosses were also registered in other European countries like in Switzerland. Further investigation is therefore necessary to investigate whether this is due to different emission conditions or biogenic effects (e.?g. as a result of increasing nitrogen depositions). Compared to other environmental monitoring and modelling programmes the moss surveys registered increasing concentrations of toxic metal elements between 1990 and 2005. Contrary to deposition measurements that exhibit a?higher temporal resolution the moss surveys provide measurement data on a wide range of elements. Some of these elements are important with regard to human-toxicological aspects (e.?g. Hg, Sb, As, Al, V). The standardised biomonitoring of atmospheric pollution by mosses is an important link between the technical acquisition of depositions and the accumulation in biological material. To claim that the element concentrations in mosses and in the deposition should correlate to a high degree is not appropriate since both approaches are physically related but are not identical. The degree of correlation thereby depends on the boundary conditions of the physical processes, like regional and site-specific meteorological conditions within the accumulation period, the vertical and horizontal vegetation structure or land use conditions. Conclusions The moss surveys contribute to the heavy metal and multi-component model of CLRTAP because they prove on different spatial scales how air pollution control influences the accumulation of emitted substances in environmental subjects of protection like vegetation. If environmental monitoring is seen as a continuous task and the applied methodology works well as an early warning system then environmental policy is enabled to act in preventative sense and to pursue unexpected developments. No other environmental monitoring programme provides such a wide range of ecotoxically relevant elements measured as spatially dense as the case for the moss surveys. The spatial distribution of environmental information is an essential criterion for their usability in terms of political measures for the federal states and the federation. Recommendations and perspectives The Heavy Metals in Mosses Surveys are a positive example for environmental monitoring activities reaching across three spatial and administrative levels: regional (e.?g. federal state or natural landscape), nationwide (e.?g. Germany) and continental (e.?g. Europe). In Germany the harmonised and quality-controlled moss data are made available via an internet-based webGIS portal. Therefore the moss data may easily be accessed for environmental monitoring purposes and the control of environmental political actions. Hence, the monitoring of Heavy Metals by Mosses Surveys is an important task among the European environmental observations, which should be continued in future for scientific and political reasons in its current extent.