The assessment of selected atmospheric pollutant elements using moss (Leucobryum aduncum) as bio-monitor

In these modern days, air quality is deteriorating in line with the current development. Manjung district is one of the most rapid develop districts in Perak with various types of industrial activities and the atmospheric pollutants resulted from it most likely to cause serious pollution to the Manjung atmosphere. Analysis of mosses for atmospheric pollution is a suitable and effective method as they pick up nutrients directly from ambient air and their ability to retain many trace elements deposition. Therefore, moss (Leucobryum aduncum) was used in this study to evaluate selected atmospheric pollutant elements including radionuclides (U, Th and ⁴⁰K) and nonradionuclide elements (Cu, Fe, Cr, Zn, As, Se, Pb and Cd) contents in Manjung District and part of Perak Tengah areas. The samples were collected from three directions (North, North-East and South-East) within 40 km radius from Teluk Rubiah, Manjung with 5 km intervals. The analysis was done using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Spectrometer. In addition, the atmospheric pollution level and origin of pollutants were predicted through the calculation of enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI). The obtained results show Zn, Se, Pb, As and Cd were originated from anthropogenic activities while U, Th, ⁴⁰K, Cu, Fe and Cr were from natural sources. However, no pollution risk of contaminants was observed. Subsequently, the hazardous radiation effects of radionuclides in study areas can be neglected as the hazard index was 100 times lower than unity. Furthermore, the correlation of atmospheric pollutants in moss and air has been assessed using transfer factor (TF). The possible contaminants sources were also predicted using two multivariate analysis including cluster analysis (CA) and principle cluster analysis (PCA). The overall results obtained show that moss species of Leucobryum aduncum is suitable for bio-monitoring indicator of atmospheric pollutants and can be used as a baseline for the atmospheric pollution in the study areas.