The terrestrial mosses Hypnum hamulosum and Brachythecium brotheri, which could live in water under experimental conditions, were treated with Cd²⁺ at 0, 20, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg·L^-1, and Cr³⁺ at 0, 10, 20, 30, 50, and 100 mg·L^-1. The Cd²⁺ and Cr³⁺ contents in H. hamulosum and B. brotheri were measured by ICP-AES after they had been submerged in the treatment solution for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days.
The results showed:
(1) Both moss species have a high ability in absorb Cd and Cr.
(2) With the increase of Cd²⁺ (or Cr³⁺) concentration in the culture solution, the Cd (or Cr) contents both in H. hamulosum and B. brotheri increased linearly
(3) With the extension of the treatment time, their Cd and Cr content increased logarithmically.
(4) Hyphnum hamulosum and B. brotheri differ in their ability to absorb Cd²⁺ and Cr³⁺; the former has a higher ability to absorb Cd²⁺, but lower ability to absorb Cr³⁺ than the latter.