Methodological investigations into low technology monitoring of atmospheric metal pollution: Part 2— The effects of length of exposure on metal concentrations

Abstract

Methodological investigations were undertaken to ascertain the appropriate length of exposure in a Scottish industrial town for the transplanted low technology samplers selected for use—spherical moss bags, the lichen Hypogymnia physodes and tak samplers.

The appropriate length of exposure for the accumulation of most metals was determined by the following criteria: detectable accumulated concentrations, reliable values (i.e. high replicability) and an exposure time within the limits of practical considerations.

Because samplers gave concentrations of most metals which were high and most replicable when exposures were between 8 and 9 weeks, an exposure of 2 months was selected for the main monitoring survey.