Long-established and new active biomonitors jointly reveal potentially toxic element gradients across spatial scales in freshwater ecosystems

A novel biomonitoring approach using the macrophytic alga Chara gymnophylla alongside the established aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica reveals similar spatial gradients of 19 potentially toxic elements across two major rivers in Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park. The study demonstrates that both species exhibit comparable element accumulation patterns, within-site variability, and spatial connectivity, validating Chara gymnophylla as a reliable active biomonitor for freshwater ecosystems. This dual-species approach provides clear contamination scenarios, pinpointing potential sources of pollution while addressing current limitations in environmental monitoring techniques.

Bellino, A., Alfani, A., De Riso, L., Gregorio, R., Pellegrino, T., & Baldantoni, D. (2020). Long-established and new active biomonitors jointly reveal potentially toxic element gradients across spatial scales in freshwater ecosystems. Ecological Indicators, 118, 106742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106742