Comparison between natural background concentrations of heavy metals in bryophytes from the sudety mountians and Swiss Alps

The results in this study forms the beginning of the establishment of a baseline for background heavy metal concentrations in aquatic bryophytes collected in the Sudety Mts. (Poland and Czech Republic) by comparison with bryophytes in other non polluted and non industrialized areas outside the Sudety Mts. The plant elemental composition of the Sudety Mts. contains significantly more nickel, chromium and barium and significantly less zinc and mercury as compared to bryophyte samples from selected areas in the Swiss Alps.