The characteristics of rare earth elements in bulk precipitation, throughfall, foliage and lichens in the Lesní potok catchment and its vicinity, Czech Republic

<strong>ABSTRACT</strong> A comparison of rare earth elements' (REE) atmospheric signatures in various ecosystem compartments was carried out in the vicinity of the Lesní potok catchment (LP), Czech Republic. REE signatures were investigated from 2004 to 2006 in rainwater, throughfall, tree foliage (<em>Picea abies</em>, <em>Fagus sylvatica</em>) and lichens (<em>Hypogymnia physodes</em>) for selected elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Si). REE concentrations increased in the following sequences: bulk precipitation &lt; beech throughfall &lt; spruce throughfall and spruce needles &lt; beech leaves ≪ lichens.