Preliminary studies on possibility of using the herbarium specimens of mosses in the assessment of heavy metal pollution in Katowice (Silesian Upland, Poland)

The paper presents the preliminary results of using the herbarium specimens of selected mosses (Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp., B. salebrosum (F.Weber & D.Mohr) Schimp. and Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw, for assessment of changes in the heavy metals pollution in Katowice town. For the initial studies lead and cadmium have been chosen, which are among the most toxic heavy metals. Specimens originate from two periods: the nineties of 20thcentury and from 2012. To verify the correctness of assumption the control samples were selected from the collection of mosses from the Białowieża Primeval Forest considered as a “clean” part of Poland, in the nineties of 20thcentury, stored in the same conditions. The results obtained in these investigations confirm the possibility of application of herbarium specimens of mosses in the biological assessment of changes in lead and cadmium contamination.