The characteristics of rare earth elements in bulk precipitation, throughfall, foliage and lichens in the Lesni potok catchment and its vicinity, Czech Republic
Abstract
REE signatures were investigated from 2004 to 2006 in rainwater, throughfall, tree foliage (spruce, beech) and lichens (Hypogymnia physodes) for selected elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Si). REE concentrations increased in following sequence: bulk precipitation < beech throughfall < spruce throughfall and spruce needles < beech leaves < lichens.
The crustal origin of REEs in bulk precipitation was confirmed by its high correlation with lithogenic elements, by seasonal variation in REE concentrations and by comparison of REE distribution patterns of upper continental crust, local granites and soil. Enrichment factors calculated in relation to bulk precipitation and normalized to Na enabled elimination of the influence of dry deposition and wash-out.
Higher REE concentrations in throughfall were then identified to be the result of the wash-out of dry deposition, while REEs were found to bioaccumulate in vegetation, although at a much smaller rate than K, Mn, P, Mg and Ca.