Abstract: The distributions of Sb, Pb, As, Cu, Cd, Mn,Fe Al, Ba and Sr in the atmosphere around a smelter were investigated by using mosses as the indicator. Moss proved to be an effective indicator for the deposition of trace metals from the smelter. Contents of Sb, Pb and As in mosses were in the range of 41.0-5.77×10³,1.05×10²-1.39×10⁴,25.0-1.07×10³ and 8.00-263 mg/kg, which are 1.5-213.6,24.5-322.5,3.6-1980.9 and 3.2-105.2 times higher, respectively, than the background values. Factor and correlation analysis show that the first group of elements, Sb, Pb, As, Cu and Cd, were significantly related to the smelter, and that these elements originated from ore smelting. The second group, Mn, Fe and Al, mainly originated from coal combustion in the smelter. Mn also originated from the transport of airborne urban pollutants and cement plants. The third group, Ba and Sr, probably originated from dust. The relationships between the contents of Sb, Pb, As, Cu, Cd and the distance from the sampling sites to the smelter could be best fitted by the model y=ae-x. Sb and Pb contents show a highly similar attenuation trend, whereas As content decreased more rapidly than Sb or Pb content.