A review of 210Pb and 210Po in moss

Among environment contaminants, Pb-210 and Po-210 have gained significant research attention due to their radioactive toxicity. Moss, with its exceptional adsorption capability for these radionuclides, serves as an indicator for environmental Pb-210 and Po-210 pollution. The paper reviews a total of 138 articles, summarizing the common methods and analytical results of Pb-210 and Po-210 research in moss. It elucidates the accumulation characteristics of Pb-210 and Po-210 in moss, discusses current research challenges, potential solutions, and future prospects in this field. Existing literature indicates limitations in common measurement techniques for Pb-210 and Po-210 in moss, characterized by high detection limits or lengthy sample processing. The concentration of Pb-210 and Po-210 within moss display substantial variations across different regions worldwide, ranging from <MDA to 518.75 kBq/kg and 38 Bq/kg to 170.68 kBq/kg, respectively, correlating significantly with regional pollution circumstances. Analysis of extra Pb-210 (Pb-210 introduced by Rn-222), concentration factor and the Po-210/Pb-210 ratio indicates that atmospheric deposition constitutes the primary source of Pb-210 and Po-210 within moss, and the Po-210/Pb-210 ratio is influenced by the extent of local anthropogenic impact. Factors influencing their distribution include the inherent biological traits of moss, atmospheric factors, soil conditions, and human activities. Different measurement methods are recommended for different measurement requirements, and discuss the selection of the study area. Presently, research concerning Pb-210 and Po-210 in moss as a good bioindicator predominantly focuses on environmental monitoring within polluted regions and extends to studies encompassing heavy metal tracing and site remediation.