Critical loads for nitrogen deposition on forest ecosystems

Critical loads for N deposition are derived from an ecosystem's anion and cation balance assuming that the processes determining ecosystem stability are soil acidification and nitrate leaching. Depending on the deposition of S, the parent soil material, and the site quality critical N deposition rates will range between 20 to 200 mmol m^?2 yr^?1 (3 to 14 kg ha^?1 yr^?1) on silicate soils and reach 20 to 390 mmol m^?2 yr^?1 (3 to 48 kg ha^?1) on calcareous soils.     

Effects of acid deposition on Dutch forest ecosystems

Effects of elevated S and N deposition on the solution chemistry of Dutch forest soils are mainly manifested by increased concentrations of Al associated with increased concentrations of SO₄ and NO₄. Presumed critical Al/base cation ratios are often exceeded below 20 cm soil depth. There is also evidence that elevated N deposion during the last decades affected the forest nutrient status and caused large changes in forest vegetation. About half of the Dutch forests have absolute shortage of P and relative Mg deficiencies compared to foliar N contents. Evidence from field studies of a relationship between soil acidification and nutrient imbalances in the soil and the foliage on one hand and the vitality of forests on the other hand is, however, lacking.     

Microbial community response to nitrogen deposition in northern forest ecosystems

The productivity of temperate forests is often limited by soil N availability, suggesting that elevated atmospheric N deposition could increase ecosystem C storage. However, the magnitude of this increase is dependent on rates of soil organic matter formation as well as rates of plant production. Nonetheless, we have a limited understanding of the potential for atmospheric N deposition to alter microbial activity in soil, and hence rates of soil organic matter formation. Because high levels of inorganic N suppress lignin oxidation by white rot basidiomycetes and generally enhance cellulose hydrolysis, we hypothesized that atmospheric N deposition would alter microbial decomposition in a manner that was consistent with changes in enzyme activity and shift decomposition from fungi to less efficient bacteria. To test our idea, we experimentally manipulated atmospheric N deposition (0, 30 and 80 kg NO₃⁻-N) in three northern temperate forests (black oak/white oak (BOWO), sugar maple/red oak (SMRO), and sugar maple/basswood (SMBW)). After one year, we measured the activity of ligninolytic and cellulolytic soil enzymes, and traced the fate of lignin and cellulose breakdown products (¹³C-vanillin, catechol and cellobiose).In the BOWO ecosystem, the highest level of N deposition tended to reduce phenol oxidase activity (131±13 versus 104±5 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹) and peroxidase activity (210±26 versus 190±21 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹) and it reduced ¹³C-vanillin and ¹³C-catechol degradation and the incorporation of ¹³C into fungal phospholipids (p<0.05). Conversely, in the SMRO and SMBW ecosystems, N deposition tended to increase phenol oxidase and peroxidase activities and increased vanillin and catechol degradation and the incorporation of isotope into fungal phospholipids (p<0.05). We observed no effect of experimental N deposition on the degradation of ¹³C-cellulose, although cellulase activity showed a small and marginally significant increase (p<0.10). The ecosystem-specific response of microbial activity and soil C cycling to experimental N addition indicates that accurate prediction of soil C storage requires a better understanding of the physiological response of microbial communities to atmospheric N deposition.     

Critical deposition levels for nitrogen and sulphur on dutch forest ecosystems

Critical loads for N and S on Dutch forest ecosystems have been derived in relation to effects induced by eutrophication and acidification, such as changes in forest vegetation, nutrient imbalances, increased susceptibility to diseases, nitrate leaching, and Al toxicity. The criteria that have been used are N contents in needles, nitrate concentrations in groundwater (drinking water), and NH₄/K ratios, Ca/Al ratios, and Al concentrations in the soil solution. Assuming an equal contribution of N and S, all effects seem to be prevented at a total deposition level below 600 mol_c ha^?1 yr^?1 due to N uptake by stemwood and acid neutralization by base cation weathering. The most serious effects will probably be prevented at total deposition levels between 1500 and 2000 mol_c ha^?1 yr^?1. The current average deposition in the Netherlands is 4900 mol_c ha^?1 yr^?1.     

Initial compensation of acidic deposition in forest ecosystems by different rock meals

Several experimental series are described to investigate the compensation effects of buffer substances against acid deposition in forest ecosystems. Laboratory tests with different basic buffer substances showed, that their neutralization capacity depend more on the particle size fractions than on the contents of bases. Comparisons of the effects of dolomite, enriched volcanic silicate rock meal and volcanic silicate rock meal as well as dolomite suspensions and coarsely ground dolomite in field experiments confirmed the laboratory tests to a large extent. The following short-term effects were ascertained: (1) the pH in the mineral soil could not be influenced within 2 yr, and (2) the stock of accumulated acids in the mineral soil decreased in dependency on the kind of buffer substance. The results of these experiments show after a short time, that compensation of acid deposition in forest ecosystems by basic buffer substances is justified as soil protection and strongly necessary.     

Initial compensation of acidic deposition in forest ecosystems by different rock meals

Several experimental series are described to investigate the compensation effects of buffer substances against acid deposition in forest ecosystems. Laboratory tests with different basic buffer substances showed, that their neutralization capacity depend more on the particle size fractions than on the contents of bases. Comparisons of the effects of dolomite, enriched volcanic silicate rock meal and volcanic silicate rock meal as well as dolomite suspensions and coarsely ground dolomite in field experiments confirmed the laboratory tests to a large extent. The following short-term effects were ascertained: (1) the pH in the mineral soil could not be influenced within 2 yr, and (2) the stock of accumulated acids in the mineral soil decreased in dependency on the kind of buffer substance. The results of these experiments show after a short time, that compensation of acid deposition in forest ecosystems by basic buffer substances is justified as soil protection and strongly necessary.     

Annual rates of deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different forest ecosystems

Using the flux balance of the forest canopy of a beech and a spruce stand annual rates of total deposition — divided into precipitation and interception deposition — were derived for 4 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The deposition of PAH is in general higher under spruce because of higher rates of interception deposition as compared to beech. The rate of interception deposition of the various PAH compounds (3.4-Benzopyrene, Indeno (1,2,3-cd)pyrene,1.12 Benzoperylene, Fluoranthene) are significantly different. Substantial amounts of PAH are transferred to the soil by litterfall, which indicates adsorption of PAH on leaf and needle surfaces. The storage of PAH in the soil is equivalent to 34 to 48 yr of the actual deposition for 3.4 Benzopyrene and Indeno (1,2,3-cd)pyrene and is equivalent to 14 to 26yr of actual deposition for the amount of 1.12 Benzoperylene and Fluoranthene in the soil.     

Detectability of step trends in the rate of atmospheric sulphate deposition

Step trend analyses are performed on acid deposition rates using a combination of monitored sulphate deposition data and a long-range transport of acid precipitation (LRTAP) model. The step trend analyses consider Sudbury's emissions and eastern North America's emissions to explore strategies for reducing SO₂ emissions such that a decrease in sulphate deposition is detected in a specified time period. Results indicate Sudbury's emissions could be reduced with significant detectable reductions in sulphate deposition occurring at the Muskoka region. Significant detectable reductions do not occur elsewhere due to the variability of monitoring data ‘masking’ the small change in sulphate depositions associated with abatement. Reductions in eastern North America's emissions would result in widespread evidence of significant detectable reductions.     

Mercury in forest canopy throughfall water and its relation to atmospheric deposition

A seasonal variation of both particle and gaseous Hg concentrations in the atmosphere is present in south-western Sweden. An average gaseous Hg level of 3.7 ng m⁻³ is found in winter, compared to 2.8 ng m⁻³ in summer. A weak decreasing south-north gradient for gaseous Hg in air over the Nordic countries is also present, with yearly average values from 3.2 to 2.8 ng m⁻³. A gradient for particulate Hg is less clear. An air parcel trajectory sector classification of gaseous Hg levels in air, and to some extent the particulate associated Hg, clearly demonstrates the increased concentrations in the southern sectors, especially in south-western Sweden where the gaseous Hg increase is about I ng m⁻³. These observations are consistent with an influence from the European continent. The average concentrations of Hg in precipitation at the various stations show a pronounced decreasing south-north gradient. A major portion of the total Hg present in precipitation is associated with particles. For the southern stations, a strong correlation between Hg and sulfate, or pH, is present suggesting a connection between Hg in precipitation and anthropogenic activities.     

Effects of liming and fertilization on soil solution chemistry in North German forest ecosystems

The effect of aboveground liming and fertilization as well as ploughing and liming of forest soils on soil solution chemistry was studied in various experimental plots of the German Solling area. Due to low solubility of limestone, aboveground liming had only moderate effects on soil pH and base saturation of CEC. Calcium and Mg concentration increased and Ca/Al and Mg/Al ratios of the soil solution improved. Despite extreme doses of lime, nitrate leaching did not increase in the case of a beech plot. Elevated nitrate leaching was found in the case of a spruce and a beech plot previously fertilized with N. Nitrate concentrations are far from drinking water thresholds in the case of beech. Nitrate levels of soil solution of the unfertilized spruce plot are in the range of 3 to 8 mg L⁻¹. Liming did increase these values slightly in the first years, and nitrate levels reached those of the untreated plot in the following years. Ploughing connected with high liming doses obviously led to inhomogeneous distribution of lime. No significant deacidification of seepage water at a depth of 100 cm occurred because of leaching of sulfate from the industrial lime used. This was followed by Al-leaching. Nitrate levels slightly exceeded drinking water standards throughout the first winter period after the measure. The development of young trees was significantly improved.     

Critical loads of acid deposition for forest ecosystems in the Kola Peninsula

We assessed critical loads of acid deposition and their exceedance for soils in the Kola Peninsula using a simple balance method and mapped them within 1.0° × 0.5° longitude/latitude grid cells. Critical loads of acidity vary from 200 to 800 mol_c/ha/y with the type of soil, parent rock, vegetation and climatic conditions. The critical deposition values are dominated by S contribution. Present sulphur depositions are higher than critical values in the large part of the Kola Peninsula (about 40% of total area). The greatest excess (800–1200 mol_c/ha/y) occur in north-western and western parts, especially in surroundings of nickel smelter in Nickel. Terrestrial ecosystems in the north-western Kola Peninsula are particularly susceptible to acid deposition damage due to relatively high soil sensitivity and heavy sulphur deposition.     

Nine years of measurements of atmospheric nitrogen and sulphur deposition to Danish forest

Since 1985 measurements of gasses, aerosols, precipitation and throughfall have been carried out at three forest sites in Denmark with equal aged Norway Spruce plantations. The times series show a downward trend in the concentration of sulphur dioxide. Particulate sulphate, ammonia and particulate ammonium and the total nitrate seem to have a more constant concentration level. The wet deposition measurements show a decreasing trend in the content of acid (protons), sulphate, ammonium and nitrate, though for the nitrogen compounds it is only a slight fall. A decrease in concentrations of protons and sulphate is also seen in the throughfall measurements, in throughfall the nitrogen compounds hardly seem to decrease.     

Long term and seasonal courses of leaf area index in a semi-arid forest plantation

Effective leaf area index (LAI_e) in the semi-arid Pinus halepensis plantation, located between arid and semi-arid climatic zones at the edge of the Negev and Judean deserts, was measured bi-annually during four years (2001-2004) and more intensively (monthly) during the following two years (2004-2006) by a number of non-contact optical devices. The measurements showed a gradual increase in LAI_e from ∼1 (±0.25) to ∼1.8 (±0.11) during these years. All instruments, when used properly, gave similar results that were also comparable with actual leaf area index measured by litter collection and destructive sampling and allometric estimates. Because of the constraint of clear sky conditions, which limited the use of the fisheye type sensors to times of twilight, the fisheye techniques were less useful. The tracing radiation and architecture of canopies system, which includes specific treatment of two levels of clumpiness of the sparse forest stand, was used successfully for the intensive monitoring. The mean clumpiness index, 0.61, is considered representative for the specific environment. Finally, the LAI_e measurements at the start of each season were used to constrain phenology-based estimates of annual LAI_e development, resulting in a continuous course of LAI_e in the forest over the five-year period. Intra-seasonal LAI_e variation in the order of 10% of total LAI_e predicted by the model was also observed in the intensive TRAC measurements, giving confidence in the TRAC system and indicating its sensitivity and applicability in woodlands even with low LAI_e values. The results can be important for forest management decision support as well as for use in evaluation of remote sensing techniques for forests at the lowest range of LAI_e values.     

Effects of acidic deposition on soil ecosystems under forest in the Chongqing region of China

The effects of acidic deposition on soil ecosystems under temperate coniferous forest in the Chongqing region of China were investigated from 1993 to 1994. Precipitation, throughfall, stemflow, soil solutions, and soil samples were collected to estimate the acidification of soil ecosystems through the changes of their chemical components. The concentrations of ion species in the throughfall and stemflow under masson pine forest in Mt. Zhenwu were higher than those under mixed coniferous forest in Mt. Jinyun and under camphor tree forest in Laojundong, suggesting that Mt. Zhenwu is located in the vicinity of the Chongqing center and that it allowed the canopy of masson pine to intercept air pollutants. However, the level of aluminum dissolution into soil solutions was relatively low under masson pine forest in Mt. Zhenwu in spite of the low pH in the stemflow.     

Chemical and biological trends associated with acidic atmospheric deposition in the Rhode River watershed and estuary

The Rhode River estuarine/watershed system is a tributary of Chesapeake Bay located on the inner Atlantic Coastal Plain. Its soils are fine sandy loams. Bulk precipitation pH in the spring season declined from 4.95 in 1974 to 3.82 in 1981 and was 4.03 in 1985. The changes in pH of a forested primary stream were more related to changes in bulk precipitation pH than were the changes in pH of agricultural streams, reflecting the importance of other major terrestrial sources of acidity on agricultural systems. Surges in acidity and dissolved total Al concentration in primary (first order) streams reached extremes of pH 3.2 and 300 μg Al L^?1. Higher order streams were observed to have surges in acidity with pH minima below 5.0. Surges in acidity ocurred during accelerated groundwater percolation following storm events and did not coincide with surface runoff or snowmelt. One of the reasons why groundwater is more acidic than surface runoff is that the vegetation exchanges H30 ⁺ for alkaline cations in the soil and translocates these ions to the vegetational canopy. When it rains, subsequently, H₃0⁺ in the precipitation displace some of these alkaline cations from the canopy. The end result is that overland flow during storms is enriched in alkaline cations, while groundwater is enriched in H₃0⁺. Although the source of dissolved Al is dissolution of clay minerals with atomic ratios of Al to silicate of 1:l, 1:2, or 1:3, this ratio in stream water rapidly declined to 1:1200 due to loss of Al. On average, forest drainage was the most acidic, the highest in dissolved Al, and the lowest in Ca. Surges in acidity were most severe from pastureland, and next most severe from cropland. Total fluoride concentrations were high relative to Al from all three land uses. Rhode River spawning runs of Perca flavescens declined drastically from the early 1970s to essentially zero since 1981. Larval bioassays of acidity indicate negligible toxicity to Hyla crucifer, significant toxicity to Perca flavescens and drastic effects on Morone saxatilis at pH 5.0.     

Nitrex: The timing of response of coniferous forest ecosystems to experimentally-changed nitrogen deposition

In large regions of Europe and eastern North America atmospheric deposition of inorganic nitrogen (N) compounds has greatly increased the natural external supply to forest ecosystems. This leads to N saturation, in which availability of inorganic N is in excess of biological demand and the ecosystem is unable to retain all incoming N. The large-scale experiments of the NITREX project (NITRogen saturation EXperiments) are designed to provide information regarding the patterns and rates of responses of coniferous forest ecosystems to increases in N deposition and the reversibility and recovery of impacted ecosystems following reductions in N deposition.The timing of ecosystem response generally followed a hypothesized cascade of response. In all sites N outputs have responded markedly but to very different degrees within the first three years of treatment. Within this time significant effects on soil processes and on vegetation have only been detected at two sites. This delayed response is explained by the large capacity of the soil system to buffer the increased N supply by microbial immobilization and adsorption. We believe that this concept provides a framework for the evaluation and prediction of the ecosystem response to environmental change.     

The role of atmospheric deposition in an eastern U.S. deciduous forest

Atmospheric sources contributed significantly to the annual flux of trace metals and sulfate to the forest floor of Walker Branch Watershed, a forested catchment in the southeastern United States. Atmospheric deposition supplied from 14% (Mn) to≈40% (Zn, Cd, So ₄ ⁼ ) to 99% (Pb) of the annual flux to the forest floor; the remainder was attributable to internal element cycling. The measured water solubility of these metals in suspended and deposited particles indicates that they may be readily mobilized following deposition. Dry deposition constituted a major fraction of the total annual atmospheric input of Cd and Zn (≈20%), SO=(≈35%), Pb(≈55%), and Mn (≈90%); however, wet deposition rates for single events exceeded dry deposition rates by one to four orders of magnitude. Interception of rain by the canopy resulted in loss of Cd, Mn, Pb, Zn, and SO⁼ from the canopy, but uptake of H⁺ which increased with increasing free acidity of the incoming rain, and with increasing residence time of the rain on the leaf surface.     

Sulfur cycling in five forest ecosystems

The cycling and retention of sulfur were studied in five forest ecosystems: a chestnut oak and yellow poplar stand on Walker Branch Watershed, Tennessee; a mixed oak stand on Camp Branch Watershed, Tennessee; and a red alder and Douglas-fir stand at the Thompson site, Washington. Calculations from foliage sulfur turnover indicate that about one-half of total sulfur input was dry in the Tennessee sites, whereas only one-tenth was dry in the Washington sites. Atmospheric sulfur inputs exceeded forest sulfur requirements in all cases, but three sites (chestnut oak, mixed oak, and red alder) showed a net ecosystem retention of atmospherically deposited sulfur. Net ecosystem sulfur retention was consistent with laboratory-determined sulfate adsorption isotherms within a given location (Walker Branch, Thompson site) but not between locations because of differing deposition histories and consequent differing degrees of soil sulfate saturation. No consistent relationships between soil sulfate adsorption capacity and other soil properties (pH, base saturation, iron, and aluminum oxides) were found.     

中国南方典型地区阔叶林大气氮沉降通量研究

A one-year study in a typical red soil region of southern China was conducted to determine atmospheric nitrogen （N） fluxes of typical N compounds （NH3, NH4-N, NO3-N, and NO2） and contribution of three sources （gas, rainwater, and particles） to N deposition. From July 2003 to June 2004, the total atmospheric N deposition was 70.7 kg N ha^-1, with dry deposition accounting for 75% of the total deposition. Dry NH3 deposition accounted for 73% of the dry deposition and 55% of the total deposition. Moreover, NO2 contributed 11% of the dry deposition and 8% of the total deposition. Reduced N compounds （NH4^＋ and NH3） were the predominate contributors, accounting for 66% of the total deposition. Therefore, atmospheric N deposition should be considered when soil acidification and critical loads of atmospheric deposition on soils are estimated.     

The role of organic horizons and canopy to modify the chemistry of acidic deposition in some forest ecosystems

To clarify the mechanisms of pH buffering in forest ecosystems, field observations of pH and ionic concentrations in precipitation (R), throughfall (Tf), stemflow (Sf), and leachates from organ c horizons (Lo) were conducted for three years at three stands in Tomakomai (TK) and Teshio (TS) in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Weighted mean rates of H⁺ input as wet deposition at TK and TS were estimated in the range from 0.3 to 1.0 and 0.4–0.6 kmol_c ha^?1 y^?, respectively. While the net H⁺ flux was reduced significantly by the forest canopy, net fluxes of other ions by throughfall, especially for Na⁺, Cl^?, and SO₄ ^2?, were apparently greater than those by precipitation. The canopy modification of the H⁺ flux was more remarkable under deciduous stands than under coniferous stands, suggesting that the efficiency of conifers as the collectors of dry deposition is greater than that of deciduous ones. More than 50% of H⁺ flux due to throughfall was absorbed by the organic horizons and the weighted mean pH of Lo at TK and TS was in the range from 4.9 to 5.5 and 5.0–5.5, respectively. Results from field observation and field leaching experiments, showed that the major H⁺ sinks of the organic horizons are exchange reaction of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺. Organic acids or organo-metallic complexes of lower pK(=5.0–5.5) played a significant role as counter anions in O horizons leachate in coniferous forests. Our results indicate the importance of biogeochemical modifications in the canopy and organic horizon in acid buffering mechanisms of forest ecosystems.