Accumulation of heavy metals by aquatic mosses. 3. Seasonal changes

In connection with studies on the use of aquatic mosses as pollution indicators for heavy metals (see preceding two abstracts) , observations were carried out on seasonal changes in the amounts of mosses and in the concentrations of metals found. The species studied were Rhynchostegium riparioides, Amblystegium riparium, and Fontinalis antipyretica. Although the populations decreased in winter, most had healthy shoots suitable for sampling at all times of the year. Temporal changes in the concentrations of metals in the shoots did not generally appear to be related to seasonal factors.