Illustration of constrained composition statistical methods in the interpretation of radionuclide concentrations in the moss Pleurozium schreberi

In this work we have used moss Pleurozium schreberi as a bioindicator of radioactive materials in environment. The following radionuclides were determined in moss samples: 137Cs, 40K, 210Pb, 212Pb, 214Pb, 214Bi, 231Th, 235U and 228Ac, but not all of them in each sample. The highest activity concentrations were found for naturally occurring 210Pb, 40K and the artificial isotope 137Cs. Activities of radioisotopes were recalculated into mass concentrations and the statistical methods intended for constrained data processing were used. Analysis of our results showed at most a weak relationship between radioisotope mass concentrations in moss. It was supposed that concentrations of some elements depended on the same, currently unknown, factors.

► Utilization of moss in radioactive materials monitoring in environment was described.
► Both natural and artificial radionuclides were detected in moss samples.
► Classical statistical methods and the ones for constrained data processing were used.
► Significant differences between some results were observed.