This thesis is based on the following papers, which are referred to in the text by their Roman numerals:
I Pöykiö R, Torvela H, Perämäki P, Kuokkanen T & Rönkkömäki H (2000) Comparison of dissolution methods for multi-element analysis of some plant materials used as bioindicator of sulphur and heavy metal deposition determined by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Analusis 28: 850–854.
II Pöykiö R & Torvela H (2001) Pine needles (Pinus Sylvestris) as a bioindicator of sulphur and heavy metal deposition in the area around a pulp and paper mill complex at Kemi, Northern Finland. Intern J Environ Anal Chem 79: 127–138.
III Pöykiö R, Tervaniemi O-M, Torvela H & Perämäki P (2001) Heavy metal accumulation in woodland moss (Pleurozium Schreberi) in the area around a chromium opencast mine at Kemi, and in the area around the ferrochrome and stainless steel works at Tornio, Northern Finland. Intern J Environ Anal Chem 81: 137–151.
IV Pöykiö R, Perämäki P, Bergström R, Kuokkanen T & Rönkkömäki H (2002) Assessment of the impact of opencast chrome mining on the ambient air concentrations of TSP, Cr, Ni and Pb around a mining complex in Northern Finland. Intern J Environ Anal Chem 82: 307–319.
V Pöykiö R, Perämäki P, Välimäki I & Kuokkanen T (2002) Estimation of environmental mobility of heavy metals using a sequential leaching for particulate material emitted from an opencast chrome mine complex. Anal Bioanal Chem 373: 190–194.
VI Pöykiö R, Perämäki P & Rönkkömäki H. The homogeneity of heavy metals deposition on glass fibre filters collected using a high-volume sampler in the vicinity of an opencast mine complex at Kemi, Northern Finland. Anal Bioanal Chem (submitted).
In addition to the results and conclusions published in the 6 original articles mentioned above, some new conclusions and references are also presented. The summary of results in I has been represented in a poster at the Finnish Chemical Congress, Kemian Päivät-2000. The summary of results in IV and V has been represented in posters at the Finnish Chemical Congress, Kemian Päivät-2000. In addition, the summary of results in IV has been represented in poster at the First Baltic Symposium on Environmental Chemistry Tartu, Estonia, in 2001.