This paper presents the results of research into the heavy metal content in the moss species Pleurozium schreberi and Hylocomium splendens and in the organic and humus horizons of soil under coniferous pine forests in Słowiński National Park. The test samples were taken in September 2011 from 15 research stations situated in the park. The research stations were set up in places most frequently visited by tourists and in the vicinity of car parks. The examined soil was characterized by strong acid reaction, which had impact on an increased accessibility of the examined heavy metals to plants. Variation coefficients for active acidity and exchangeable acidity were from 5 to 8%.  The highest level of organic matter was in the subhorizons Ol, slightly lower in the subhorizons Ofh, and the lowest in the A horizons. It was demonstrated that the active acidity of the soil’s surface genetic levels was signnificantly correlated with the manganese and zinc content (in both moss species) and wth zinc (in H.splendens). Relationships among the determined heavy metals in both species of moss made the following decreasing series: Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu. The data revealed varied accumulation characteristics of the moss species. The U Mann-Whitney’s test on the significance of variation in the content of selected heavy metals in Pleurozium schreberi and Hylocomium splendens demonstrated statistical differences in the concentration of Cu (p

19.2.2014