Particle-size distribution of PAH in the air of a remote Norway spruce forest in northern Bavaria

The aim of the present study was to elucidate thedistribution of particulate polycyclic aromatichydrocarbons (PAH) in the air of a remote Norwayspruce (Picea abies (L.) karst.) stand.The study encompassed a total of twenty differentcongeners. Particles in ambient air were alternativelycollected by two different Berner cascade impactors atthe field site in Northern Bavaria over a 14-weeksperiod from the end of April through to the end ofJuly 1994 and subsequently analyzed for their PAHcontent. The concentrations of total suspendedparticulate matter (TSP) ranged from 9–31 μg m^-3,suggesting that the field site is an area with a lowlevel of airborne particles. There was a negativerelationship of total particle concentrations with theamount of canopy precipitation due to particle washout at precipitation events. The distribution of theparticle masses on the different size fractions witha maximum in the 1-μm range is typical for remoteareas and indicates a medium-range transport. Theaerosol-bound PAH load decreased from spring sampleswith 2–4 ng m^-3 to values <1 ng m^-3 in the summersamples. Concurrently, the proportion of low molecularweight congeners in the total PAH load declined.Frequently, the highest PAH concentrations (referringto the air) were found in the 0.1–3 μm sizeseparates (accumulation mode). The results suggestthat apart from PAH input to the soil with litter, dryand wet deposition of aerosol particles is animportant pathway of PAH contamination of acid forestsoils in the Fichtelgebirge mountain range.     

Size Distribution of Trace Elements and Major Ions in the Eastern Mediterranean Atmosphere

Size distribution of trace elements is measured at the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, by analyzing hi-vol impactor samples collected between August 1993 and May 1994. Mass median diameters of marine elements are between 4.6 and 5.3 μm, and those of crustal elements are between 3.0 and 3.5 μm. Mass median diameters of crustal elements are 30% smaller in samples impacted by Saharan Dust. Pollution derived elements, As, Cd, Mo, Pb, Se, and Zn have MMD's between 1.25 and 1.01 μm. Although 70–90% of the masses of these elements were associated with particles smaller than 2.1 μm, 10–30% of their mass was associated with coarse particles. Coarse component in concentrations of Cd, Pb, Sb and particulate Hg are due to adsorption of fine anthropogenic particles on coarse crustal aerosol, whereas coarse fraction Zn, As, Se, In, Mo and Au are crustal at Al concentrations > 100 ng m^?3. Bromine, Cr, Ni, and V have bimodal distributions. The fine component, which account for approximately 30–40% of their masses are due to anthropogenic sources, whereas the coarse component, which accounts for 30–50% of their masses are due to sea salt for Br, and crustal particles for Cr, Ni, and V.     

Fly ash concentrations in philadelphia aerosol determined by electron microscopy

In a study to differentiate between coal-fly ash and minerals in the atmosphere, samples were collected on Nuclepore filters in dichotomous samplers and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The samples included ambient aerosol from two sites, resuspended soil, and emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants in the Philadelphia area. Fly ash and minerals were identified by observing high abundances of Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, and Fe in individual particles, and their mass concentrations were estimated from measured dimensions and an assumed density. Fly ash was distinguished from minerals by morphology. Sulfate was the major component of the fine fraction (<2.5 μm aerodynamic dia.). Crustal matter concentrations in the fine fraction estimated by SEM ranged from 40 to 300 ng m^?3, and fly ash accounted for 7 to 62% of the crustal matter. In the coarse fraction (2.5 to 10 μm), minerals were the predominant component and ranged in concentration from 500 to 6000 ng m^?3. Fly ash accounted for 0 to 16% of the crustal matter; the typical amount was 6%. Other less abundant coarse particles included botanical matter and industrial source emissions. Coarse fraction crustal matter estimated from x-ray fluorescence elemental data agreed well with that based on electron microscopy.     

Airborne lead pollution in Metropolitan Taipei (Republic of China)

To examine the spatial variation of airborne lead in Taipei, a field study was conducted during the summer and fall of 1991. Samples were collected 2–4 times daily at several sites for the determination of airborne lead. Results indicate that the average of air lead concentration of Taipei city is 0.70±0.39 μg/m³ and eighty-eight percent of particles are smaller than 10 pm. From high to low polluted area, the fine particle concentrations are 0.83, 0.51, 0.29 μg/m³ The lead concentration of particulates < 10 μm on 2nd, 7th, and 14th floors of a building are 0.75, 0.60, 0.55 μg/m³, and appears to be little difference among vertical dispersions. The air lead concentrations (da < 10 μm) on roadside, side walk and covered walk way from the vehicle emission source of a main road are 0.83, 0.78, 0.87 μg/m³ the highest is on the covered walk way. For lead concentrations (da < 10 μm) on the main street, side street and alley of an area are 0.34, 0.37, 0.35 μg/m³ the result indicates lead concentrations on these pathways are not significantly different.     

Behavior of Iodine in a Forest Plot,an Upland Field and a Paddy Field in the Upland Area of Tsukuba,Japan. Iodine Concentration in Precipitation,Irrigation Water,Ponding Water and Soil Water to a Depth of 2.5 m

In the course of a series of studies conducted to investigate the long-term behavior of ¹²⁹I (which has a half-life of 16 million years) in the environment, the concentration of stable iodine (¹²⁷I) in precipitation, irrigation water and soil water to a depth of 2.5 m in a forest plot, an upland field and a paddy field in the upland area of Tsukuba, Japan, was determined. In the forest plot, the mean iodine concentrations in soil water at all the depths ranged from 0.13 to 0.21 μg L^?1, about one-tenth of the values recorded in precipitation (weighted mean 2.1 μg L^?1). This finding suggests that the major part of iodine in precipitation was sorbed onto the surface soil horizon under oxidative conditions. In the upland field, the mean iodine concentration in soil water was 2.2 μg L^?1 at a depth of 0.2 m and it decreased to 0.34–0.44 μg L^?1 at a depth of 0.5 m or more; these concentrations were about one-fifth of that in precipitation. This suggested that the major part of the iodine derived from precipitation was sorbed onto the subsurface soil horizon (at depths between 0.2 and 0.5 m). In the paddy field, during the non-irrigation period, the mean iodine concentrations in soil water at all the depths ranged from 1.8 to 4.8 μg L^?1, almost the same values as those recorded in precipitation. During the irrigation period, the mean iodine concentrations at depths of 0.2 and 0.5 m were 18.8 and 16.7 μg L^?1, values higher than the 10.9 μg L^?1 value recorded in irrigation water and the 11.8 μg L^?1 value recorded in ponding water. However, at a depth of 1.0 m or more, the mean iodine concentrations in soil water rapidly decreased from 7.3 to 1.8 μg L^?1. These data suggested that a significant amount of iodine flowed out from the paddy field by surface runoff and a considerable amount of iodine that leached to a depth of 0.5 m was retained onto the mildly oxidative soil horizon (2Bw) that lay at depths between 0.5 and 1.0 m. At a depth of 2.5 m in the paddy field, the mean iodine concentration in soil water decreased to 1.8 μg L^?1, but this level was much higher than those in the forest plot and upland field at the same depth, which suggested that a significant amount of iodine had leached into the groundwater-bearing layer. There was a negative correlation (r=-0.889) between the E_h of soil and the iodine concentration in soil water (0.2 m depth) of the paddy field. Particularly, when the E_h of soil fell below approximately 150 mV, the iodine concentration rapidly increased to above 10μg L^?1. As for the chemical forms of iodine in precipitation, irrigation water, ponding water and soil water during the winter irrigation period in the paddy field with oxidative conditions, 58–82% of iodine consisted of IO^? ₃ and 17–42% of iodine consisted of I^?. In the soil water during the summer irrigation period in the paddy field under reductive conditions, 52–58% of iodine consisted of I^?, and 42–47% consisted of IO^? ₃.     

Design and use of a collector for the in situ isolation of particulate trace organic species in precipitation

Extracts of particulate organic matter were examined for discrete rainfall events from metropolitan Los Angeles, California, using an in situ filtration technique. Filtration efficiency was 98 % for the collection of extractable organic C associated with particles having nominal diameters greater than 0m22 μm Organic background levels of less than 260 ng per sample were determined. Rainwater particle samples were extracted with repeated hexane and benzene: isopropanol (2: 1) solvent additions using ultrasonic agitation. Extract mixtures were quantified by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) and were adjusted for component losses with perdeuterated recovery standards. Yields for the neutral fractions ranged from 130 to 669 μg with flux rates corresponding to 371 to 1097μg m^?2 day^?1. Aliquots of the neutral solvent extracts were derivatized with diazomethane to convert acidic hydroxy and carboxylic acid groups to the respective methyl ether and methyl ester analogs. This step produced increased yields of 8 to 188 %, and resulted in yields for the acid +neutral extracts that ranged from 374 to 8681μg with flux rates of 591 to 2343 μg m^?2 day^?1. Source identification was conducted by high-resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HRGC/MS) analyses. Molecular analyses indicated major anthropogenic contributions from petroleum and combustion sources, and for some samples, the significant input of microbial lipid components as well. Minor amounts of vascular plant waxes were also present in most cases. These mixed inputs of both anthropogenic and biogenic materials compared closely with previous source determinations for carbonaceous aerosol particles in the Los Angeles air basin.     

Aerosol particles in the developing world; a comparison between New Delhi in India and Beijing in China

In developing countries, aerosol particles damage the health of hundreds of millions of people. Migration from the country side to megacities increases emissions and exposure to particles. Some countries have started to limit emissions based on particulate mass, but this may increase particle number concentrations. In this study we discuss some earlier measurements carried out in the developing world and compare results from one-week measurement campaigns concerning the particle number size distribution and PM₁₀ mass concentrations in New Delhi, India and Beijing, China. Our results show that submicron particle concentrations are high in both places. The average PM₁₀ concentration was 360 μg/m³ in New Delhi and 120 μg/m³ in Beijing. The corresponding total particle number concentrations in the size range 3–800 nm were 63 000 cm^?3 and 35 000 cm^?3. Number and mass concentrations and their characteristics showed significantly different behaviour between these two locations, which stresses the importance of long-term simultaneous measurements of both quantities in different types of megacities.     

Study of Worker's Exposure to Thorium,Uranium and Niobium Mineral Dust

The aim of this study is to evaluate worker’s exposure to particles, with special attention to thorium, uranium and niobiumbearing particles. A cascade impactor (CI) with six stages was used to collect particles with aerodynamic diameter in the rangeof 0.64 to 19.4 μm. The elemental mass concentrations impacted in each stage of the CI were determined using the PIXE(Particle Induced X-ray Emission) technique. The Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) and elemental mass concentration in the fine fraction of aerosol (0.5 to 2.5 μm) were determined.Personal air samplers were used by workers to collect fine particles of aerosol. The concentrations of ²³²Th and ²²⁸Th in these air samplers were measured by the alpha spectrometry technique. Faeces and urine samples from the workersand their wives were analyzed to determine the thorium, uranium and niobium mass concentration (mass spectrometry) and ²³²Th, ²²⁸Th, ²³⁸U and ²³⁴U concentrations (α spectrometry) and then compared to inhabitants of regions with low metal concentrations. The analysis of thefaecesand urine samples from workers and their wives indicated that themain pathway of thorium, uranium and niobium incorporation was byingestion. The observed concentrations of niobium and uranium inurine samples from workers showed a systemic incorporation of niobium and uranium.     

Selenium Behavior in Open Bulk Precipitation, Soil Solution and Groundwater in Alluvial Fan Area in Tsukui, Central Japan

A monitoring study was carried out in an alluvial fan area in Tsukui, Central Japan during the study period of 1999–2003, in order to explain selenium (Se) behaviors in ecosystem combined with air, soil and groundwater. Monthly Se concentrations in open bulk precipitation (rainfall+aerosol, gaseous deposition and etc.), soil solution (collected by porous ceramic-cup) and groundwater ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 μg L^?1 (volume-weighted average: 0.34 μg L^?1), 0.21 to 1.0 μg L^?1 (0.48 μg L^?1) and 1.6 to 2.4 μg L^?1 (2.2 μg L^?1), respectively. Se concentration in open bulk precipitation was negatively correlated with the rainfall amount. Se concentration in soil solution significantly increased with DOC concentration in soil solution. Besides, despite atmospheric Se input and rainfall to the grassland study area, Se concentration in soil solution and groundwater received no significant effect from the rainfall amount, pH, Se, DOC, SO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^? and EC in rainfall. Even though Se concentrations in groundwater were significantly correlated with soil solution volume, Se, DOC and NO₃ ^? and groundwater level, the result of multiple regression analyses (MRA) indicated that the groundwater Se was negatively influenced by groundwater level, which depended on groundwater recharge. Se was transported into the groundwater through the groundwater recharge that largely increased in this alluvial fan study area after heavy rain.     

A Study of Airborne Selected Metals and Particle Size Distribution in Relation to Climatic Variables and their Source Identification

Ten selected metals (Na, K, Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni & Cd) were estimated in total suspended particulate (TSP) samples collected on glass fibre filters in urban Islamabad, Pakistan, from October 2002 to May 2003, using a high volume sampling technique. The wet digestion method (HNO₃/HClO₄) was used for metal analysis by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) method. Maximum mean contribution was noted for Na (1.949 μg m^?3), followed by K (0.900 μg m^?3), Zn (0.603 μg m^?3), Fe (0.584 μg m^?3) and Pb (0.214 μg m^?3). The particle size determination on % volume basis for four fractions (PM_{< 2.5}, PM_2.5–10, PM_10–100& PM_{> 100}) was also carried out. PM_10–100 were found to be the most abundant in the local atmosphere followed by PM_2.5–10, while the respirable fraction (PM_{< 2.5}) and giant fraction (PM_{> 100}) showed comparable and lower levels. The trace metals were found to be mainly associated with PM_{< 2.5} and PM_2.5–10. The influence of climatic variables on toxic trace metals and particle size fractions was also investigated statistically and it was revealed that temperature has a significant correlation with fine particle fractions and airborne trace metal levels. The source identification was carried out by Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis. Four metal sources were identified: industrial (32.6%), soil-derived dust (21.9%), traffic/road dust (19.8%), and metallurgical/garbage incineration (12.4%). The metal levels were also compared with those reported for other parts around the world.     

Aerosol and Precipitation Chemistry during the Summer at the Summit of Mt. Fuji, Japan (3776m a.s.l.)

Aerosol and precipitation samples were obtained at the summit of Mt. Fuji, the highest peak (3776m a.s.l.) in Japan, in the summers of 1997, 1998, and 1999. The mountaintop might be affected by valley wind during the afternoon, but is located in the free troposphere during the morning. The temporal variations of chemical species in the aerosol and precipitation samples correspond with meteorological conditions. The SO₄ ^2? in the aerosol and precipitation exhibits high concentration with low temperature air mass, indicating the influence of long range transport from the Asian Continent. The contribution of the free troposphere to the chemical species obtained at the summit is estimated to be at least 30% during the summer season.     

基于土壤颗分粒径的泥沙来源量化研究

[目的]揭示黄土高原风水复合侵蚀区风力作用对水蚀的影响,为具有不同泥沙粒径侵蚀物质来源识别提供一种有效的方法支撑,也为风水复合侵蚀区侵蚀泥沙来源辨识提供理论参考。[方法]以覆沙模拟风蚀产物,基于室内模拟试验,研究覆沙之后坡面侵蚀发育特征,同时为了有效区分不同时刻侵蚀物质的来源,尝试采用泥沙粒径作为指纹因子进行侵蚀泥沙来源贡献的辨识。[结果]不同泥沙粒径组的3个指纹因子(粒径范围分别为：26.303～34.674,104.713～138.038,138.038～181.970μm)通过检验被确定为最佳指纹因子。基于最佳指纹因子,通过多元混合模型计算得出,在对同一土槽进行的3个阶段模拟降雨试验中覆沙层和黄土层的平均泥沙贡献率分别为48.2%和51.8%,24.8%和75.2%,6.8%和93.2%,且MAF>0.8。覆沙层的泥沙贡献率为第一阶段试验>第二阶段试验>第三阶段试验,计算结果与DEM相吻合。[结论]泥沙源地和侵蚀泥沙中的不同泥沙粒径组可作为指纹因子进行泥沙来源辨别,复合指纹法具有较好的适用性。     

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particle‐size separates and density fractions of typical agricultural soils in the Yangtze River Delta,east China

Soil organic matter can be divided into different organic carbon (C) pools with different turnover rates. The organic pollutants in soils associated with these organic C pools may have different bioavailability and environmental risks during the decomposition of soil organic matter. We studied the distribution patterns of 15 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in different particle‐size separates (clay, fine silt, coarse silt, fine sand and coarse sand) and density fractions (light and heavy fractions) of nine agricultural topsoils (0–20 cm depth) from a contaminated area in the Yangtze River Delta region of east China. There was a decreasing trend in PAH concentration in particle‐size separates with decreasing particle size. However, the different particle‐size separates had similar PAH composition. The concentration of PAHs in the light fraction ranged from 13 037 to 107 299 μg kg^?1, far higher than in the heavy fraction, which ranged from 222 to 298 μg kg^?1. Although the light fraction accounted for only 0.4–2.3% of the soils, it was associated with 31.5–69.5% of soil PAHs. The organic matter in coarse silt had the strongest capacity for enrichment with PAHs. Combining the distributions of PAHs and the turnover rates of organic matter in different soil fractions, the environmental risks of PAH‐polluted soils may be due mainly to the PAHs associated with sand and the light fraction.     

Concentration and Sources of PM10 and its Constituents in Alsasua, Spain

Ambient concentrations of PM₁₀ were measured every fifteen minutes from November 2002 to October 2003 at Alsasua (Northern Spain) using a laser particle counter. A high volume sampler was also used to collect 24-h integrated PM₁₀ samples at a frequency of three running days per week (i.e. three consecutive PM₁₀ samples followed by five days without sampling) for gravimetric determination of PM₁₀ mass concentrations followed by chemical analysis of its chemical components. The annual mean PM₁₀ concentration obtained using the laser particle counter with gravimetric correction was 22.7 μg m^?3 (365 days), while the mean for the gravimetric samples was 29.5 μg m^?3 (134 days). A total of 94 integrated PM₁₀ samples were analyzed for 60 chemical species using a combination of inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) and ion chromatography (IC). The concentrations of the main PM₁₀ components were found to be generally in agreement with the values reported for other Spanish cities. Bilinear Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF2) was used to study the sources of PM₁₀ and its constituents. Six main sources of PM₁₀ were identified (average contribution to total PM₁₀ mass in parentheses): crustal material (35%), secondary sulfate (21%), secondary nitrate (14%), motor vehicles (12%), sea-salt aerosol (12%) and metallurgical industries (3%).     

Atmospheric sources,transport and deposition of mercury in Michigan: Two years of event precipitation

To assess the sources, transport and deposition of atmospheric mercury (Hg) in Michigan, a multi-site network was implemented in which Hg concentrations in event precipitation and ambient samples (vapor and participate phases) were determined. Results from the analysis of 2 years of event precipitation samples for Hg are reported here. The volume-weighted average Hg concentration in precipitation was 7.9, 10.8 and 10.2 ng/L for the Pellston, South Haven and Dexter sites, respectively. Yearly wet deposition of Hg for 1992–93 and 1993–94 was 5.8 and 5.5 μg/m² at Pellston, 9.5 and 12.7 μg/m² at South Haven and 8.7 and 9.1 μg/m at Dexter. A spatial gradient in both the Hg concentration and wet deposition was observed. Northern Michigan received almost half the deposition of Hg recorded at the southern Michigan sites. The concentration of Hg in precipitation exhibited a strong seasonal behavior with low values of 1.0 to 2.0 ng/L in winter and maximum values greater than 40 ng/L in summer. The spring, summer and autumn precipitation accounted for 89 to 91% of the total yearly Hg deposition. Mixed-layer back trajectories were calculated for each precipitation event to investigate the meteorological history and transport from potential Hg source regions. Elevated Hg concentrations were observed with air mass transport from the west, southwest, south, and southeast. At each of the sites precipitation events for which the Hg concentration was in the 90th and 10th percentile were-analyzed for trace elements by ICP-MS to investigate source impacts.     

Trace element loading of southern Lake Michigan by dry deposition of atmospheric aerosol

Aerosol samples and meteorological data were collected at a mid-southern Lake Michigan site (87° 00′ W, 42° 00′ N) from May through September 1977. Hi-volume samplers with cellulose fiber filters and a digital meteorological data recording system were operated on board the U.S. EPA's R/VRoger R. Simons during four intensive sampling periods. Aerosol samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy for seventeen trace elements. A diabatic drag coefficient method was used to determine aerosol deposition velocity (v _d ) overlake. A meanv _d of 0.5 cm s^?1 was found for the 0.1v _d to a long-term climatological record, annual dry deposition loadings to the southern basin for nine elements were estimated. For four elements, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn, dry deposition loadings to the southern basin alone of at least 500, 30, 250, and 100 (×10³ kg yr^?1) were found. For Fe and Mn, these loadings represent about 15% of the total of all inputs to Lake Michigan. for Zn and Pb, about one-third to one-half of the annual loading from all sources is from dry deposition of atmospheric aerosol.     

Preliminary results of size distribution airborne particles in Mexico City

Particulate matter concentrations were measured in five size ranges, during an annual period, at the National University Campus in Mexico City. Size distribution indicated high particulates values in the size ranges from 3.0 to >7.2 μm and from 0.49 to 1.5 μm. The cascade impactor concentration represented 30% of the total suspended particles (TSP) values, with a correlation of 0.6 between them. No significative seasonal difference in the mass paniculate size distrubition was found, but in the rainy season a slight increase in fine particles with respect to the total mass impactor was found. The application of a respiratory model showed that maximum mass of coarse particulates deposition in the thoracic region was of 27 μg hr^?1. The highest concentration of fine particulates deposition reached only 13 μg hr^?1, in activity.     

The Concentrations and Sources of Fluoride in Atmospheric Depositions in Beijing,China

This study was carried out from June 1995 to December 1998 to explore the current status of fluoride pollution, fluoride deposition, and sources of fluoride in Beijing. The mean fluorideconcentration of ambient aerosols in Beijing was 0.61 μg m^-3, with a range of 0.08 to 1.61 μg m^-3. The highest concentration (1.61 μg m^-3) occurred in winterand was 20 times higher than in summer. This maximum concentration is to compare with annual volume-weighted averagefluoride concentration in Chongqing, Sichuan Province, an areaseriously polluted with fluoride. Fluoride pollution occurred inwinter in Beijing, because of the increased consumption of coal for heating, which resulted also in the highest dry deposition during winter and lowest in summer. The seasonal variations intotal fluoride were different from those of dry deposition. Thehighest total deposition was observed in summer, when 75% of theannual precipitation falls. Soil dust and coal combustion wereconsidered the main sources of fluoride in Beijing.     

毛乌素沙地西南缘不同土地利用类型土壤颗粒分形特征

为揭示毛乌素沙地西南缘农田、荒地、草地、灌丛沙堆和林地等土地利用类型的土壤分形特征与防风固沙效果的关系,采用野外取样与室内粒度分析相结合的方法,分析了该区5种土地利用类型的土壤颗粒粒径分布、分形维数以及土层深度与分形维数间关系。结果表明:(1)草地、灌丛沙堆以及林地的土壤粒度组成以极细沙、细沙和中砂为主,耕地和荒地则以粉粒和细砂为主;(2)研究区不同土地利用方式的土壤粒径分布和分形维数差异明显,荒地>农田>灌丛沙堆>草地>林地,随土层深度增加,林地分形维数值减小,草地分形维数值增大,荒地、农田和灌丛沙堆分形维数值变化不大;(3)分形维数与<100 μm和>100 μm粒径含量分别呈显著正相关和负相关,其大小由<100 μm的极细砂粒和粉粒含量决定。研究区内5种土地利用类型土壤颗粒粒径分布与分形维数差异显著,这综合反映出在不同植被效应与人为耕作后,土壤的颗粒组成会发生明显变化。研究结果可为毛乌素沙地西南缘防沙治沙以及土壤恢复提供理论依据。     

LIMESTONE PARTICLE SIZE AND RESIDUAL LIME CONCENTRATION AFFECT PH BUFFERING IN CONTAINER SUBSTRATES

The objective was to quantify how the concentration and particle size of unreacted “residual” limestone affected pH buffering capacity for ten commercial and nine research container substrates that varied in residual calcium carbonate equivalents (CCE) from 0.3 to 4.9 g CCE·L^?1. The nine research substrates contained 70% peat:30% perlite (by volume) with dolomitic hydrated lime at 2.1 g·L^?1, followed by incorporation of one of four particle size fractions [850 to 2000 μm (10 to 20 US mesh), 250 to 850 μm (20 to 60 US mesh), 150 to 250 μm (60 to 100 US mesh), or 75 to 150 μm (100 to 200 US mesh)] of a dolomitic carbonate limestone at 0, 1.5 or 3.0 g·L^?1. Substrate-pH buffering was quantified by measuring the pH change following either (a) mineral acid drenches without plants, or (b) a greenhouse experiment where an ammonium-based (acidic) or nitrate-based (basic) fertilizer was applied to Impatiens wallerana Hook. F. Increasing residual CCE in commercial substrates was correlated with greater pH buffering following either the hydrochloric acid (HCl) drench or impatiens growth with an ammonium-based fertilizer. Research substrates with high applied lime rate (3.0 kg·m^?3) had greater pH buffering than at 0 or 1.5 g·L^?1. At 3 g·L^?1, the intermediate limestone particle size fractions of 250 to 850 μm and 150 to 250 (20 to 60 or 60 to 100 US mesh) provided the greatest pH-buffering with impatiens. Particle fractions finer than 150 μm reacted quickly over time, whereas buffering by particles coarser than 850 μm was limited because of the excessively slow reaction rate during the experimental periods. Addition of acid from either an ammonium-based fertilizer or HCl reduced residual CCE over time. Dosage with 40 meq acid from HCl per liter of substrate or titration with HCl acid to substrate-pH of 4.5 were well-correlated with pH buffering in the greenhouse trials and may be useful laboratory protocols to compare pH buffering of substrates. With nitrate fertilizer application, residual CCE did not affect buffering against increasing pH. Residual limestone is an important substrate property that should be considered for pH management in greenhouse crop production under acidic conditions.