Metal contents in epiphytic bryophytes growing at Yahata Nishi-ku, Kitakyushu City and its vicinity were measured. Measurements were made both on the contents in the plant body of a single species Clastobryella kusatsuensis and on those of the whole bryophytic community. Contents of eight elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu and Cd) decrease generally with increase in distance from the center of the industrialized area. No such marked regional difference was seen in the contents of Ca and Mg. The ratios of seven klnds of elements (Fe, Mn, Cr. Pb, Ni, Cu and Cd) in bryophytes almost coincide with those in airborne particulates. It was proved that C. kusatsuensis and communities of bryophytes can be an indicator of air pollution by metals.(Received 12 November 1982)高度開発地域での企属による環境治染を探る基礎資料を得る目的のため, 北九州市八幡西区とその周辺地域の着生薊苔類の体内金属量を, コモチイトゴケ1種および群落全体についで測定した. Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cdの量は工業の中心地域から遠ざかる程減少する傾向を示したが, Ca, Mgは地域的な差が見られなかった. Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cdの蘇苔類体内の含有量の比率は, 大気中の比率とほぼ一致した. コモチイトゴケ1種, 薊苔類群落全体について, 大気の金属汚染の生物指標となることが示唆された
