153 Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, May 2014, Vol. 9, No. 2, p. 153 - 158 INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF NICKEL IN PRECIPITATION THROUGH THE SURFACE PROPERTIES OF MOSS PLEUROZIUM SCHREBERI Kateřina ČECHÁKOVÁ 1 , Oldřich MOTYKA 2 , Eliška VÁLOVÁ 3 , Barbora MACEČKOVÁ 4 & Barbara STALMACHOVÁ 5 1 Vysoká škola báňská-Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Mining and Geology, 17. listopadu 15, Ostrava-Poruba, katerina.lichtenbergova.st@vsb.cz 2 Vysoká škola báňská-Technical University of Ostrava, Nanotechnology centre, 17. listopadu 15, Ostrava-Poruba, oldrich.motyka@vsb.cz 3 Vysoká škola báňská-Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Mining and Geology, 17. listopadu 15, Ostrava-Poruba, eliska.valova.st1@vsb.cz 4 Vysoká škola báňská-Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Civil Engineering, L. Podéště 1875/17, Ostrava - Poruba, barbora.maceckova@vsb.cz 5 Vysoká škola báňská-Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Mining and Geology, 17. listopadu 15, Ostrava-Poruba, barbara.stalmachova@vsb.cz Abstract: 3D stereophotogrammetric scanner was used to obtain 3D model of canopy structure of Pleurozium schreberi moss samples in order to determine changes in the surface roughness index caused by the exposition to the simulated precipitation with known nickel concentrations. In mosses, surface roughness index is known to be a significant indicator of the environmental conditions and is strongly correlated with microclimatic state of the vicinity of the plant. Samples were divided to two groups and either 5 mg.l -1 or 50 mg.l -1 solutions of pH 5 were applied as a simulated rainfall for the total period of eight weeks, 3D model of the sample surface was obtained every time before and after irrigation. In addition, organic material was analysed for the final nickel content using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Calculated surface roughness indices revealed substantial alteration the pattern of canopy properties changes during irrigation – nickel in the simulated precipitation therefore affects the surface of the moss canopy and thus the ecophysiological properties of the moss used. Total accumulated nickel was found to reflect the concentration of the metal in the precipitation with the nickel content in moss being ten times higher in the case of ten times higher content in the solution used for the irrigation (1922 mg.kg -1 compared to 195 mg.kg -1 following the application of 50 mg.l -1 and 5 mg.l -1 nickel solution, respectively). Key words: Nickel, Pleurozium schreberi, photogrammetry, surface roughness index, canopy structure 1. INTRODUCTION Pollution in precipitation in big cities are produced both by mobile and stationary sources of pollution related with particular type of industry and traffic. Trace elements in biosphere are widespread and, at the same time, their interactions may have toxic effects. Collection of bulk atmospheric deposition is common and practical approach for monitoring of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and others elements which can be found in environment (Aničić et al., 2009). In these cases alternative methods of monitoring are chosen instead of standard analytical methods. Harmens et al., 2008 proved bryophytes to be suitable monitors of time of accumulation of heavy metals. Even slight changes in atmospheric quality can change life conditions of organisms thus attention to the pollutants which can effect environment should be paid. Air and other associated elements infiltrates the organism so their state is directly affected. Models of heavy metals depositions in Czech Republic are provided by Czech hydro-meteorological institute; measurement of the parameters of environment is carried out by different