2nd International Scientific Conference on «Sustainable and Efficient Use of Energy, Water and Natural Resources»

The use of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in epiphytic mosses and lichens for air pollution studies in cities of the Western Siberia

Sep 19, 2019, 11:35 AM

15m

Большой конференц-зал, 1 этаж

Oral Clean Technologies and Environmental Protection Systems/ Проблемы экологической безопасности и системы защиты среды обитания Clean Technologies and Environmental Protection Systems/ Проблемы экологической безопасности и системы защиты среды обитания

Speaker

Ms Alina Geraskevich (IMCES SB RAS)

Description

Increasing anthropogenic emissions of carbon- and nitrogen-containing compounds are the main air pollution sources that have a negative influence on the cities air quality and surrounding ecosystems. Due to biological and morphological characteristics, epiphytic mosses and lichens are sensitive to environmental changes, pollution and health of ecosystem. The C and N percentage and the carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions were determined in thallus of epiphytic mosses (Leskea polycarpa, Platygyrium repens, Sciuro-hypnum reflexum) and lichens (Hypogymnia physodes, Flavoparmelia caperata, Physcia stellaris), growing in Tomsk, Prokopyevsk, Khanty-Mansiysk, and Bely Yar (workers settlement, Tomsk region). The relation between these parameters and environmental conditions was established. The carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions were measured using isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) by DELTA V Advantage isotope mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Germany) coupled to Flash 2000 elemental analyzer (Tomsk Regional Сore Facilities of Tomsk Scientific Center of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS)). The δ13С values varied for lichens from –29‰ to –24‰ and for mosses from –35‰ to –27‰. The lowest δ13С value was –35‰ for mosses samples from Prokopyevsk. This value might be explained by the presence of mine methane in the air in Prokopyevsk. The nitrogen isotope composition indicates environmental pollution to a greater degree and it is one of the main anthropogenic pollution markers. The δ15N values for mosses and lichens samples also varied in different ranges: for lichens from –11‰ to 4‰, and for mosses from –7‰ to 5‰. Comparison of mean δ15N values between cities allows us to conclude the anthropogenic load in cities increases in a row: Bely Yar < Khanty-Mansiysk < Prokopyevsk < Tomsk in terms of nitrogen-containing compounds emissions.