The geographical distribution and temporal variations of acidic deposition in Eastern North America

Data from two national precipitation chemistry monitoring networks, and several regional air and precipitation chemistry networks are used to describe some broad-scale features of acidic deposition in eastern North America. In northeastern North America, the coefficient of variation is shown to increase from 10–16% for annual averages to nearly 100% for daily values. There is a strong annual cycle in H⁺, SO _inf4 ^sup= and NH _inf4 ^sup+ deposition and some of the other ions although these cycles are not all in phase. The wet NO _inf3 ^sup? deposition contributes relatively more than SO _inf4 ^sup= to the acidity of snow as compared to rain. Wet deposition is highly “episodic” with about 50% to 70% of the total annual deposition of SO _inf4 ^sup= and NO _inf3 ^sup? accumulating in the highest 20% of the days. Estimates made in various ways indicate that, over eastern North America as a whole, dry deposition is approximately equal to wet for both SO _inf4 ^sup= and NO _inf3 ^sup? . Dry may exceed wet in the high emissions zone but drops to about 20% of the total deposition in more remote areas. Deposition via fog or low cloud impaction is an important input to high elevation forests, but more data are required to quantify the magnitude and regional extent of this.     

Analysis of airborne particles sampled in the southern Appalachian mountains

Over 3 yr of particulate measurements were made at two high elevation sites in the southern Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and Virginia. Both dichotomous samplers and filter packs were used to obtain day and night, week-long samples for subsequent elemental and ionic analysis. Total No _inf3 ^sup? (HNO₃ + No _in3 ^sup? ) and SO _inf4 ^sup2? averaged, respectively, 1.1 and 5.0 µg m^?3 at Look Rock, Tennessee and 2.0 and 6.4 µg m^?3 at Whitetop Mountain, Virginia. At Whitetop Mountain, the spring and summer seasons had the highest average SO _inf4 ^sup2? concentrations. Seasonally, total N03 varied little. The diurnal variation of elements and SO _inf4 ^sup2? was small. Only total NO _inf3 ^sup? varied substantially with highest values during the day. The fine fraction (particle diameter < 2.5 µm) accounted for about 67% of the total mass. Fine mass and elemental concentrations were generally higher at Look Rock. The elements comprising the principal mass fraction of the coarse samples (2.5 gm < particle diameter < 10 to 15 µm) were of crustal origin (e.g., Al, Si, Ca, Fe) while the element comprising the principal mass fraction of the fine samples (i.e., S) was of manmade origin. Cluster analysis identified two groups of elements at Whitetop Mountain. These groups, in both the coarse and fine fraction, were associate with a soil and an automobile emission component. At Look Rock, only a soil component was obvious.     

A method for evaluation of acidic sulfate and nitrate in precipitation

A simple method is presented and used to estimate the portions of SO _inf4 ^sup2? and NO _inf? ^sup3 that contribute to the strong acidity in weekly precipitation samples collected at three NADP sites in the eastern United States. The method assumes that, in general, the difference between SO _inf4 ^sup2? and NH _inf+ ^sup4 represents acidic sulfate and the difference between NO _inf? ^sup3 and soil-derived materials (the sum of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺) represents acidic nitrate. Acidic sulfate and nitrate are considered to be the predominant source of H⁺ (determined from laboratory pH) in the weekly precipitation samples. Most of the acidity for all three sites was attributed to acidic sulfate. The highest fraction of acidic SO _inf4 ^sup2? to H⁺ wet deposition values was for the east-central Tennessee site (0.95) and the northeastern Illinois site (0.90), and the lowest fraction occurred at the central Pennsylvania site (0.75). The Tennessee site had the greatest acidic fraction of sulfate (0.84) and the Pennsylvania site had the greatest acidic fraction of nitrate (0.59).     

An observational study on precipitation chemistry data as a function of surface wind direction

Precipitation chemistry data were collected at 8 sites in the western part of the Netherlands over a period of 151/2 yr. Using specially-designed wind direction-dependent rain collectors, it is demonstrated that levels of ion constituents in rain water vary with wind direction, which can be assigned to different sources of contamination. The strongest variation was measured for Na⁺. As expected, trajectories over sea contributed most. Continental sources slightly reduced the variation for Cl^? and Mg²⁺. For both NH _inf4 ^sup+ and excess SO _inf4 ^sup2? , maxima were found in southeasterly rainfall. It is assumed that polluted air from the large industrial Ruhr Area crosses a region with strong NH₃ emissions in the Southeast of the Netherlands. The presence of ammonium sulfate was suggested. Minor variations were measured for NO _inf3 ^sup? (due to diffusely-spread emissions and possible sampling artefact) and for H⁺ and Ca²⁺ (dry-deposition effects). Over the period 1973–1987 excess-SO _inf4 ^sup2? levels decreased significantly (?3.3% yr^?1, p<0.01) which is consistent with reduced S emission in Western Europe. Over the last decade an upward trend in NO _inf3 ^sup? levels has been observed (3.2% yr^?1, p<0.05) which is possibly related to the increased usage of cars.     

Mercury antagonists: Effects of sodium chloride and sulfur group (VIa) compounds on excystment of the brine shrimp artemia

Brine shrimp excystment, although highly resistant, is severely inhibited by mmolar mercuric chloride. The presence of 100 mmolar NaCl largely prevents the toxic response. The chloride effect can be explained if the toxic Hg species, neutral HgCl₂, is converted into HgCl _inf3 ^sup2? and HgCl _inf4 ^sup2? since charged species not likely to penetrate cyst walls. Other Hg antagonists include SO _in3 ^su2? , SeO _inf3 ^sup2? , TeO _inf3 ^sup2? and TeO _inf4 ^sup2? , but not SO _inf4 ^sup2? and SeO _inf4 ^sup2? . The activity of both Te species can be explained by ready reduction of Te(VI) to Te(IV). Significant anti-mercurial effects were seen in mmolar thiols, ethionine and organoselenium compounds. Thiamine and methionine were both active Hg antagonists at 10 to 30 mmolar levels. The activities of S, Se and Cl^? compounds show that both geochemical and physiological modes of defense against and adaptation to high Hg levels exist.     

Nitrate reduction coupled with microbial oxidation of sulfide in river sediment

Purpose

Nitrate (NO ₃ ^? ) is often considered to be removed mainly through microbial respiratory denitrification coupled with carbon oxidation. Alternatively, NO ₃ ^? may be reduced by chemolithoautotrophic bacteria using sulfide as an electron donor. The aim of this study was to quantify the NO ₃ ^? reduction process with sulfide oxidation under different NO ₃ ^? input concentrations in river sediment.

Materials and methods

Under NO ₃ ^? input concentrations of 0.2 to 30?mM, flow-through reactors filled with river sediment from the Pearl River, China, were used to measure the processes of potential NO ₃ ^? reduction and sulfate (SO ₄ ^2? ) production. Molecular biology analyses were conducted to study the microbial mechanisms involved.

Results and discussion

Simultaneous NO₃ ^? removal and SO₄ ^2? production were observed with the different NO ₃ ^? concentrations in the sediment samples collected at different depths. Potentially, NO ₃ ^? removal reached 72 to 91?% and SO ₄ ^2? production rates ranged from 0.196 to 0.903?mM?h^?1. The potential NO ₃ ^? removal rates were linearly correlated to the NO ₃ ^? input concentrations. While the SO ₄ ^2? production process became stable, the NO ₃ ^? reduction process was still a first-order reaction within the range of NO ₃ ^? input concentrations. With low NO ₃ ^? input concentrations, the NO ₃ ^? removal was mainly through the pathway of dissimilatory NO ₃ ^? reduction to NH ₄ ⁺ , while with higher NO ₃ ^? concentrations the NO ₃ ^? removal was through the denitrification pathway.

Conclusions

While most of NO ₃ ^? in the sediment was reduced by denitrifying heterotrophs, sulfide-driven NO ₃ ^? reduction accounted for up to 26?% of the total NO ₃ ^? removal under lower NO ₃ ^? concentrations. The vertical distributions of NO ₃ ^? reduction and SO ₄ ^2? production processes were different because of the variable bacterial communities with depth.     

Temporal variation in aluminum speciation and concentration during snowmelt

Precipitation samples in Alberta were collected and analyzed monthly from six Alberta Environment stations. Samples were collected with Sangamo samplers and analyzed for the major ions, pH and acidity. The data were tabulated and analyzed for spatial distribution, seasonal variation, temporal trends, ionic character and wet sulphate deposition. The major ionic species in Alberta precipitation are Ca²⁺, SO _inf4 ^sup2? , NH _inf4 ^sup+ and N0 _inf3 ^sup? . The spatial distribution shows a slight decrease in pH from southern Alberta (pH 6.0) to northern Alberta (pH 5.4). The seasonal variation shows higher hydrogen ion content in the summer months (pH 5.4 in summer and pH 5.8 in winter). Temporal trends are not apparent over the five year period investigated. The five year average wet sulphate deposition rate in Alberta is 9.1 kg ha^?1 yr^?1.     

Mesoscale spatial variability of sulfate in air and rainwater at St. Louis

Sulfate concentrations in rainwater and in air measured on four summer days at St. Louis were highly variable, both spatially or temporally. Maximum/minimum ratios of aerosol SO _inf4 ^sup? varied by up to a factor of 9, and those in rainwater by a factor of 3 on the average. Generally, SO _inf4 ^sup? concentration patterns in air and rainwater were similar, and consistent with wind direction and the location of sources. Direct relationships between SO _inf4 ^sup? in air and in water were evident on two of the individual days, but not for all days together. The non-uniformity of the SO _inf4 ^sup? pattern plus consideration of possible sources of SO _inf4 ^sup? suggests that nucleation of SO _inf4 ^sup? particles must be a major cause of S scavenging, with some possible influence from sub-cloud impaction.     

Resistance of the caribou lichen Cladina stellaris (Opiz.) brodo to growth reduction by simulated acidic rain

Natural mats of C. stellaris growing in the subarctic lichen woodlands of northern Québec were treated in a randomized complete block design with solutions of simulated rain at pH 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and 5.6. These solutions were acidified by addition of mixtures of sulfuric and nitric acids to give both 2 : 1 and 6 : 1 μequivalent ratios of SO _inf4 ^sup= : NO _inf3 ^sup? . After two years of acidification there was no significant effect of either pH or SO _inf4 ^sup= : NO _inf3 ^sup? ratio on the growth of C. stellaris, but thallus discoloration was evident below pH 3.5. After three years of acidification marginally significant (p = 0.05) but erratic depression of growth occurred under the 6 : 1 but not the 2 : 1 acidification regime, especially at pH 4.5 or less. Acid precipitation therefore only very gradually impairs the growth of C. stellaris, and the deleterious effects of acidification may be partially offset by nitrogen enrichment when precipitation is relatively rich in nitrate compared to sulfate ions.     

Simultaneous Removal of H2S, NH3, and Ethyl Mercaptan in Biotrickling Filters Packed with Poplar Wood and Polyurethane Foam: Impact of pH During Startup and Crossed Effects Evaluation

The present work discusses the startup and operation of different biotrickling filters during the simultaneous removal of NH₃, H₂S, and ethyl mercaptan (EM) for odor control, focusing on (a) the impact of pH control in the stability of the nitrification processes during reactor startup and (b) the crossed effects among selected pollutants and their by-products. Two biotrickling filters were packed with poplar wood chips (R1 and R2A), while a third reactor was packed with polyurethane foam (R2B). R2A and R2B presented a pH control system, whereas R1 did not. Loads of 2?C10?g N?CNH₃ m^?3?h^?1, 5?C16?g S?CH₂S m^?3?h^?1, and 1?C6?g EM m^?3?h^?1 were supplied to the bioreactors. The presence of a pH control loop in R2A and R2B proved to be crucial to avoid long startup periods and bioreactors malfunctioning due to biological activity inhibition. In addition, the impact of the presence of different concentrations of a series of N species (NH ₄ ⁺ , NO ₂ ^? , and NO ₃ ^? ) and S species (SO ₄ ^2? and S^2?) on the performance of the two biotrickling filters was studied by increasing their load to the reactors. Sulfide oxidation proved to be the most resilient process, since it was not affected in any of the experiments, while nitrification and EM removal were severely affected. In particular, the latter was affected by SO ₄ ^2? and NO ₂ ^? , while nitrification was significantly affected by NH ₄ ⁺ . The biotrickling filter packed with polyurethane foam was more sensitive to crossed effects than the biotrickling filter packed with poplar wood chips.     

An estimation of atmospheric deposition input of sulphur and nitrogen oxides to the Kejimkujik watershed : 1979–1987

Daily measurements of the concentrations of major ions in ambient air and in precipitation at Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia, Canada over the period May 1979 to December 1987 are used to estimate the wet, dry and total deposition to the watershed. Variations on three time-scales are apparent. The strongest variation, of up to two orders of magnitude occurs on a day to day basis resulting in a coefficient of variation in the range of 110 to 140%. Deposition is highly episodic with the highest 20% of the daily events accounting for 55 to 60% of the long-term deposition. The most systematic variation is the annual cycle observed for many of the species. The air concentration of SO₂ has the most pronounced cycle with a winter maximum and a summer minimum. The SO _inf4 ^sup= air concentrations show a smaller amplitude and are out-of-phase with SO₂, showing a summer maximum. Air concentrations of HNO₃ and particulate N0 _inf3 ^sup- also have an out-of-phase annual cycle, with a summer maximum and summer minimum respectively. Wet deposition of SO _inf4 ^sup= shows a broad maximum through the summer months, but for NO _inf3 ^sup- no systematic cycle is evident. On an ion equivalent basis, NO _inf3 ^sup- contributes as much as SO _inf4 ^sup= to the acidity of winter precipitation, but only one-third as much in the summer months. Although 8.7 yr is too short a time-scale to establish long term variations with any certainty, there does appear to be an overall downward trend in S concentrations and deposition, but not for N. This is not inconsistent with the trends in the emissions of SO₂ and NO_X in the regions upwind of Nova Scotia. The fraction of the S input to the watershed as dry deposition is estimated to average 22% of the total.     

Inorganic and organic sulfur profiles in nine Sphagnum peat bogs in the United States and Czechoslovakia

Depth profiles of total S, organic S, soluble SO ₄ ^2? -S, FeS, and FeS₂ were characterized for Sphagnum-derived peat cores collected from 9 sites. Marcell S-2 Bog (MN), Tamarack Swamp (PA), Cranesville Swamp (MD/WV), and Big Run Bog (WV) receive water from precipitation and upland runoff; atmospheric S deposition is 13, 47, 54, and 114 mmol m^?2, yr^?1, respectively. McDonald's Branch Swamp (NJ) is predominantly groundwater fed. Tub Run Bog (WV) and Allegheny Mining Bog (MD) receive augmented SO ₄ ^2? inputs through acid coal mine drainage. Jezerní slat' and Bo?í Dar Bog in Czechoslovakia receive atmospheric S inputs of 33 and 243 mmol m^?2 yr^?1, respectively. In the peat from all sites except Allegheny Mining Bog, where the substantially augmented SO ₄ ^2? input was reflected in an unusually high dissolved SO ₄ ^2? pool in the surface peat, organic S (probably mostly carbon bonded S) was the dominant S fraction; FeS₂ was generally the dominant inorganic S fraction. Subsurface peaks in total S, organic S and FeS₂-S in peat from the runoff water fed sites were interpreted as indicative of depth-dependent patterns in S reduction/oxidation and in S immobilization/mineralization. Unless SO ₄ ^2? inputs to a site are tremendously augmented (e.g., Allegheny Mining Bog), the rapid turnover of the dissolved SO ₄ ^2? pool combined with the relative stability of the other inorganic and organic S pools, apparently functions as an effective buffer against site differences in S inputs, leading to a general similarity in vertical S profiles in the peat deposits.     

Precipitation chemistry in Nova Scotia: 1978–1987

More than 1400 precipitation samples were collected weekly from 5 sites in Nova Scotia between 1978 and 1987. High concentrations of H⁺, non-marine SO _inf4 ^sup= (^*SO₄) and NO _inf3 ^sup- were observed in 1978 and 1986. In 1983, concentrations of all three parameters were the lowest in the data record. Fluctuations in emissions for SO₂ are insufficient to account for the variability observed in concentration and deposition values. Mean annual concentrations in 1983 were 13, 16, and 6 ueq L^-1 for H⁺, ^*SO₄, and NO _inf3 ^sup- , respectively. In 1986 the values were 35, 28, and 13 ueq L^-1. Concentrations in 1978 were 31, 38, and 16 ueq L^-1. Average pH of precipitation was 4.61 during the 10 yr study. The two most acidic years were 1979 (4.47) and 1986 (4.46). In 1983, the average pH was 4.89. The ratio (equivalents) of NO _inf3 ^sup- to ^*SO4 was 0.41, so most acidity in the precipitation results from H₂SO₄ However, multiple regression analysis revealed that H⁺ is more sensitive to changes in NO₃-concentrations than ^*SO₄. Ratios of summer (JJA) vs winter (JFM) average concentrations were examined. During summer months, ^*SO₄ and H⁺ were 1.8 times winter values. Summer to winter ratios for NO _inf3 ^sup- and NH _inf4 ^sup+ were 1.4 and 2.5, respectively.     

Effects of Land Use on Hydrochemistry and Contamination of Karst Groundwater from Nandong Underground River System, China

The Nandong Underground River System (NURS) is located in Southeast Yunnan Province, China. Groundwater in NURS plays a critical role in socio-economical development of the region. However, with the rapid increase of population in recent years, groundwater quality has degraded greatly. In this study, the analysis of 36 groundwater samples collected from springs in both rain and dry seasons shows significant spatial disparities and slight seasonal variations of major element concentrations in the groundwater. In addition, results from factor analysis indicate that NO ₃ ^? , Cl^?, SO ₄ ^2? , Na⁺, K⁺, and EC in the groundwater are mainly from the sources related to human activities while Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO ₃ ^? , and pH are primarily controlled by water–rock interactions in karst system with Ca²⁺ and HCO ₃ ^? somewhat from anthropogenic inputs. With the increased anthropogenic contaminations, the groundwater chemistry changes widely from Ca-HCO₃ or Ca (Mg)-HCO₃ type to Ca-Cl (+NO₃) or Ca (Mg)-Cl (+NO₃), and Ca-Cl (+NO₃+SO₄) or Ca (Mg)-Cl (+NO₃+SO₄) type. Concentrations of NO ₃ ^? , Cl^?, SO ₄ ^2? , Na⁺, and K⁺ generally show an indistinct grouping with respect to land use types, with very high concentrations observed in the groundwater from residential and agricultural areas. This suggests that those ions are mainly derived from sewage effluents and fertilizers. No specific land use control on the Mg²⁺ ion distribution is observed, suggesting Mg²⁺ is originated from natural dissolution of carbonate rocks. The distribution of Ca²⁺ and HCO ₃ ^? does not show any distinct land use control either, except for the samples from residential zones, suggesting the Ca²⁺ and HCO ₃ ^- mainly come from both natural dissolution of carbonate rocks and sewage effluents.     

Interaction between nitrogen fertilization,rainfall and groundwater pollution in sandy soil

A 2 yr field study on the influence of N fertilization and rainfall on groundwater pollution was carried out in the sandy area of Belgium. The NO _inf3 ^sup? -N and Cl^? content of the groundwater at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m depths was monitored every two weeks on a field, grown with barley in 1980 and with maize in 1981. Turnips for cattle feed were grown in between the two crops. The total annual rainfall during the period under study was about 800 mm. The NO _inf3 ^sup? -N content at all depths was at all times above 11.3 mg NO _inf3 ^sup? -N dm^?3, the WHO safe limit. Fluctuation of the NO _inf3 ^sup? -N content occurred mainly at 0.5 and 1.0 m. The concentration at 1.5 and 2.0 m depths was higher most of the time than at 0.5 and 1.0 m. Leaching of NO _inf3 ^sup? -N into deeper layers occurred when there was heavy rainfall. There was no important loss of NO _inf3 ^sup? -N through denitrification at 1.5 and 2.0 m depths.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide on selected soil processes

Nitrogen dioxide gas was rapidly absorbed by soil. After a 15 min incubation at 25°C, soil at a moisture content of 16% absorbed 99% of the NO₂ introduced into the gas-phase volume of a closed system. The presence of microorganisms hatl no influence on the rate of absorption of the gas by soil. The absorption of NO₂ by sandy clay loam soil was not an oxygen- or temperature-dependent process nor did it depend upon the moisture content of the soil. These physical factors acquired significance only in determining the initial rate of absorption of the gas and the rate at which NO₂ diffused through the soil. Exposure of soil to NO₂ resulted in substantial increases in the levels of NO _inf2 ^sup? N in the soil. Chemical oxidation of the NO _inf2 ^sup? N resulted in an increase in NO _inf3 ^sup? N levels. During a 14-day incubation, NO _inf2 ^sup? N concentrations in sterile soil exposed to an atmosphere containing 100 μg ml^?1 of NO₂ decreased from 190 μg g^?1 of soil to 105 μg g^?1 with an accompanying increase in NO _inf3 ^sup? N from 2 μg g^? ₁ to 63 μg g^?1 of soil. Nitrogen dioxide severely inhibited the growth of both aerobic and anaerobic asymbiotic N₂-fixing bacteria in soil. After a 48 h incubation at 25°C, soil aggregates exposed to an atmosphere containing 100 μg ml^?1 of NO₂ contained 88% and 98% fewer aerobic and anaerobic N₂-fixing bacteria, respectively. C₂H₂-reduction measurements showed that nitrogenase synthesis and activity in artificial soil aggregates amended with 2% glucose were inhibited by 20% and 48%, respectively, when exposed to atmospheric concentrations of 35 and 3.5 μg ml^?1 of NO₂, respectively.     

Effect of an attendant anion on the balance of cations in the soil-solution system with an ordinary chernozem as an example

The effect of different anions on the balance of heavy metal cations in the soil-solution system has been assessed under model laboratory conditions. It has been found that the uptake of the Cu, Zn, and Pb cations by an ordinary chernozem from solutions of different salts is accompanied by the displacement of the exchangeable cations to the solution in the following order: Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺. The sum of the displaced exchangeable cations in most cases exceeds the amount of the adsorbed heavy metal cations. According to the effect of the anions on the displacing capacity of the metal cations, the following series are formed: for copper, SO ₄ ^2? ? Cl^? > OAc^? > NO ₃ ^? ; for lead, Cl^? ? NO ₃ ^? > OAc^?; and, for zinc, SO ₄ ^2? ? Cl^? ? OAc^? > NO ₃ ^? .     

Analysis of Decadal Time Series in Wet N Concentrations at Five Rural Sites in NE Spain

Nitrogen emissions have grown in Spain during the last 15 years. As precipitation scavenges gases and aerosols from the atmosphere, an effect on rainwater concentrations can be expected. However, time-series studies on wet N concentrations in the Iberian Peninsula are very scarce. This paper aims to fill this gap by analysing weekly rainfall N concentrations at a set of rural sites in Catalonia (NE Spain) from 1995/1996 to 2007 and a forest site monitored from 1983 to 2007. The sites encompass a range of rural environments and climate conditions, from the inland pre-Pyrenees (Sort) to the Mediterranean coast (Begur) and from north (Sort and Begur) to central (Palautordera and La Castanya) and south Catalonia (La Senia). We found a 1-year cycle for concentrations of NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ^? whereby higher values were reached at the end of spring–early summer, except at the easternmost coastal site of Begur. Weekly NH ₄ ⁺ concentrations decreased with time at all sites (except at La Senia) whilst NO ₃ ^? concentrations increased at all sites during the same period. Rainfall SO ₄ ^2? concentrations decreased with time at all sites. The opposite trends in NO ₃ ^? and SO ₄ ^2? concentrations determined a shift in the relative acid contribution of those anions during the 12–13-year period. To interpret the increasing trend, mean annual NO ₃ ^? concentrations were regressed against NO₂ Spanish emissions and to some indicators of local anthropogenic activity. The increase at Sort and Palautordera showed good correlation with local anthropogenic indicators. Wet inorganic N deposition ranged between 4.2 and 6.7 kg ha^?1 year^?1. When including estimates of dry deposition, total annual deposition rose up to 10–20 kg ha^?1 year^?1, values that have been found to initiate adverse effects on Mediterranean-type forest ecosystems.     

Deposition of air pollutants in a wind-exposed forest edge

The atmospheric deposition of air pollutants at a forest edge was studied by means of monitoring canopy throughfall at the edge and at five different parallel lines in the forest behind the edge. The investigation was carried out at a pine forest on the Swedish west coast. Throughfall and bulk deposition samples were analyzed for volume, SO ₄ ^2? , NO ₃ ^? , Cl^?, NH ₄ ⁺ , Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and for pH. The results show that the throughfall flow at the edge was increased substantially for most ions. The ratios in throughfall flows between the edge and the line 50 m into the forest were for SO ₄ ^2? , 1.5, NO ₃ ^? 2.9, NH ₄ ⁺ 2.7, and Na⁺ 3.1. Since this effect is not only valid for forest edges but also for hillsides, hilltops, and edges between stands of different age, etc., there might be substantial areas which get much larger total deposition than the normally considered closed forest.     

Mid-term trends in acid precipitation,streamwater chemistry and element budgets in the strengbach catchment (Vosges Mountains,France)

In the Vosges Mountains (NE of France), integrated plot-catchment studies have been carried out since 1985 in the Strengbach basin to study the influence of acid atmospheric inputs on surface water quality and element budgets. In this paper, available mid-term time series (1985–1991) have been considered to detect obvious trends, if any, in surface water chemistry and element budgets. Air quality data showed a slight decline for SO₂, whereas NO₂ slightly increased over the period, but these trends are not very significant. This is in agreement with increased N concentration (mainly as NH ₄ ⁺ ) and with the stability of SO ₄ ^2? in open field precipitation. Because of a significant decrease in rainfall amount over the period, only inputs of NH ₄ ⁺ increased significantly whereas H⁺ and SO ₄ ²⁺ inputs declined. In spring and streamwaters, pH and dissolved Si concentration increased mainly as a result of a reduced flow. Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^? and HCO-3~^? concentrations remained stable whereas Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and SO ₄ ²⁺ concentrations declined significantly. Only NO ₃ ^? concentration increased significantly in springwaters. The catchment budgets revealed significant losses of base cations, Si and SO ₄ ^2? . These losses decreased over the period. Nitrogen was retained in the ecosystem. However, a longer record is needed to determine whether or not changes in surface water chemistry have resulted from short-term flow reductions or long-term changes in input-output ion budgets. This is specially true with N because the decline in SO ₄ ^2? output was accompanied by N accumulation.