none 10.1144/geochem2025-054 Geological Society of London Geological Society of London 1881 189968619 42938 2026071920025700416 10.1144 2026-08-28T17:38:34Z 2026-02-10T17:38:41Z 0 Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis GEEA 1467-7873 2041-4943 03 13 2026 05 2026 26 2 M. Lakanen Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queen's University, 36 Union Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada Testmark Laboratories Ltd, 7 Margaret Street, Garson, ON P3L 1E1, Canada Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2782-7480 J. Anderson Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7208-152X B. Halvorson Testmark Laboratories Ltd, 7 Margaret Street, Garson, ON P3L 1E1, Canada https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0914-8913 M. Brown Testmark Laboratories Ltd, 7 Margaret Street, Garson, ON P3L 1E1, Canada https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4969-3449 G.M. Charbonneau Testmark Laboratories Ltd, 7 Margaret Street, Garson, ON P3L 1E1, Canada https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7508-1033 F. Caron Royal Military College of Canada, 13 General Crerar Crescent, Kingston, ON K7K 7B4, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1538-5797 P. J. Beckett Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2170-8430 M. Leybourne Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queen's University, 36 Union Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute, Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy, Queen's University, 64 Bader Lane, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2361-6014 G. Spiers Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1904-2863 We assessed the spatial extent and source signatures of metal contamination in the Sudbury region, Ontario, Canada, using three lichen species ( Stereocaulon spp., Cladonia rangiferina , Evernia mesomorpha ), moss ( Dicranum scoparium ), humus forms, mineral soils, and snowpack. Baseline concentrations were established for 23 elements across these 7 monitors. Of the biomonitors, Stereocaulon spp. generally shows the highest baseline concentrations for most metals, C. rangiferina the lowest, and E. mesomorpha intermediate. In contrast, the moss D. scoparium has higher concentrations of nutrient elements (e.g. Ca, Mg, K) but comparatively low metal concentrations relative to the lichen species. Distances from the city to the baseline concentrations for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb were compared across media types. Elemental concentrations in snow particulate matter (PM) returns to baseline within 9–15 km of the city (with one exception at 30 km for Ni), whereas soils remain elevated to 25–46 km. Lichens exhibit a steep ‘principal’ contamination gradient like snow PM but remain elevated until 26–38 km, roughly matching soil patterns and suggesting resuspended legacy contamination. The Bioaccumulation Scale was applied to lichens for cross-species comparison and determining environmentally relevant elements. The scale reduces cross-species variability but does not eliminate species-specific effects. Around the smelters, 13 of 32 elements exceed the environmentally relevant threshold (Bioaccumulation ratio >3.4). 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