Regional Distribution of Al, B, Ba, Ca, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Si, Sr, Th, U and Y in Terrestrial Moss Within a 188,000 km super(2) Area of the Central Barents Region: Influence of Geology, Seaspray and Human Activity

Almost 600 samples of terrestrial moss sampled from a 188,000 km super(2) area of the central Barents region were assayed for elemental content. The origin of patterns for the elements of interest was determined via graphical methods of data analysis. None of the elements reported were emitted in substantial amounts from the smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula, and the nature of the underlying mineral substrate was found to exert considerable influence on moss composition for several elements. The influence of substrate can also be enhanced by anthropogenic activity, such as stripmining. Seaspray is another natural process affecting moss elemental content, a phenomenon most visible in the Norwegian portion of the study area.