Uptake and assimilation of atmospheric NO2 — N by spruce needles (Picea abies): A field study

NO₂ enters spruce needles by gas exchange through the slomata. Nitrate formed from NO₂ is reduced in the cytosol by nitrate reductase (NR), the rate limiting enzyme of the nitrogen assimilatory pathway. A linear relationship was found between the nitrate reductase activity (NRA), NO₂ concentration and the amount of N incorporated into amino acids and proteins, so that NRA was suggested as an estimate of NO₂-uptake. In the present field study, 50 spruce trees (Picea abies) have been selected, which grow in a natural habitat in a NO₂ concentration gradient in a forest crossed by a highway which is a major NO source. At part of the sites, the microclimatic conditions have been recorded, so that common models of local gas exchange of the needles could be used to estimate stomatal uptake of NO₂. NRA was investigated as a function of radiation and stomatal uptake on the day before needle sampling. Close to the highway NRA was permanently elevated with a maximum in summer. As with the laboratory results, a linear relationship between stomatal uptake and NRA was found. Total N — content of current year shoots was not affected by the additional N-source provided by airborne NO₂. The present study shows that the gas exchange models are consistent with the physiological reactions of spruce needles on a local level and therefore contribute to the validation of calculations of NO₂ dry deposition to spruce forests.     

Effect of UV-B Dose on Biosynthesis of Epicuticular Waxes in Blue Spruce (Picea Pungens Engelmann.) Primary Needles: Preliminary Investigation

Blue spruce [Picea pungens Engelmann.] seedlings were reared from seed for 8 weeks under one of seven UV-B doses ranging from 0.0 to 9.2 kJ m^-2 d^-1. Emerging primary needles were chopped and incubated 48 h (22°C; 750 μmol m^-2 s^-1 PAR) with [1-¹⁴C] CH₃COONa. Radioactivity incorporated into epicuticular waxes was measured using radio thin-layer chromatography. Biosynthesis of nonacosan-10-ol, the dominant constituent, was affected by the UV-B dose. The results suggest that, if no other factors are limiting, the optimum UV-B dose for wax biosynthesis in emerging primary needles of blue spruce is 6-7 kJ m^-2 d^-1. This dose is below that routinely measured in some northern temperate forests and well within the range of predicted values under stratospheric ozone depletion scenarios. UV-B dose levels above this threshold may cause changes to the wax composition that may predispose the tree to damage from other environmental stresses.     

Needle Structures and Epiphytic Microflora of Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) under Heavy Ammonia Deposition from Fur Farming

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles from forest sites differing in distance from big fur farms emitting large amounts of ammonia and ammonium (=NH_y) were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Specific features indicating an ammonium-nitrogen overload, such as an abundance of needle surface organisms and modifications in cellular and wax structures, were classified. Throughout the study area (up to 1000 m from the farms), mesophyll cells had thin cytoplasm and folding plasmalemma indicating frost damage. Phloem damage attributable to a possible nutrient imbalance was also observed. Chloroplast membranes were undulating and the occurrence of leaf surface organisms (e.g. aerophilic algae) was more abundant at the closest sites. The changes were related both to the direct effects of dry NH_y deposition on the needles, and to the effects operating via soil acidification. The needle epicuticular waxes proved to be structurally rather inert against the influence of ammonium compounds, since no significant changes due to NH_y were observed.     

Effects of Tropospheric O3 on Trembling Aspen and Interaction with Co2: Results from an O3-Gradient and a Face Experiment

Over the years, a series of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) clones differing in O₃ sensitivity have been identified from OTC studies. Three clones (216 and 271[(O₃ tolerant] and 259 [O₃ sensitive]) have been characterized for O₃ sensitivity by growth and biomass responses, foliar symptoms, gas exchange, chlorophyll content, epicuticular wax characteristics, and antioxidant production. In this study we compared the responses of these same clones exposed to O₃ under field conditions along a natural O₃ gradient and in a Free-Air CO₂ and O₃ Enrichment (FACE) facility. In addition, we examined how elevated CO₂ affected O₃ symptom development. Visible O₃ symptoms were consistently seen (5 out of 6 years) at two of the three sites along the O₃ gradient and where daily one-hour maximum concentrations were in the range of 96 to 125 ppb. Clonal differences in O₃ sensitivity were consistent with our OTC rankings. Elevated CO₂ (200 ppm over ambient and applied during daylight hours during the growing season) reduced visible foliar symptoms for all three clones from 31 to 96% as determined by symptom development in elevated O₃ versus elevated O₃ + CO₂ treatments. Degradation of the epicuticular wax surface of all three clones was found at the two elevated O₃ gradient sites. This degradation was quantified by a coefficient of occlusion which was a measure of stomatal occlusion by epicuticular waxes. Statistically significant increases in stomatal occlusion compared to controls were found for all three clones and for all treatments including elevated CO₂, elevated O₃, and elevated CO₂ + O₃. Our results provide additional evidence that current ambient O₃ levels in the Great Lakes region are causing adverse effects on trembling aspen. Whether or not elevated CO₂ in the future will alleviate some of these adverse effects, as occurred with visible symptoms but not with epicuticular wax degradation, is unknown.     

Forest decline in the boreal montane ecosystems of the southern Appalachian Mountains

Research was initiated in 1984 in an attempt to quantify and test possible hypotheses for the systematic decline and mortality of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) observed in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Field surveys have documented increases in decline symptoms. By 1986, 7% of all tagged red spruce trees in permanent plots were dead. This number, partially due to the effects of severe weather, increased to 41% in 1987. An insect and disease survey initiated in 1985 on 100 permanent plots has yielded little significant pathology or insect infestation. With the exception of the balsam wooly adelgid (Adelges picea (Ratz)), few signs or symptoms of disease or insect attack were noted on either Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) (Pursh Poir) or red spruce populations. Cultures from destructively-sampled root systems yielded few significant pathogens that could contribute to decline symptoms. Measurements of throughfall in 1986 yielded estimates of total wet deposition for NO₃ ^? and SO₄ ^2? of 25 and 75 kg ha^?1 yr^?1 respectively. Using net throughfall quantities, we estimate that between 40 and 60% of this input was due to cloud impact. Mean-volume-weighted pH per cloud event was 3.5. Over 75% of the cloud events sampled had a pH < 4.0. Cloud and rain water was dominated by H⁺, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^?,, and SO₄ ^2? ions. Interaction with the forest canopy resulted in an enrichment of throughfall with base cations (K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺) and a loss of H⁺ and NH₄ ⁺. Mean-volume-weighted pH for throughfall was 3.9. The effects of simulated acidic cloud water on the epicuticular waxes of red spruce needles were studied during the summer of 1987. The cuticle proper of both 1986 and 1987 needles did not appear to be damaged by the treatments. The wax crystals which constitute the stomatal wax plugs, however, exhibited substantial degradation by simulated treatments at or below pH 3.5.     

Annual Variations of Needle Surface Characteristics of Pinus Sylvestris Growing Near the Emission Source

In present study, pollutant effects on needle surface characteristics of Pinus sylvestris in the area affected by a nitrogen fertilizer plant have been investigated over 1994–1997 year period. Near the factory, sites with 15–25-year-old trees on a 0.5–22 km interval were chosen. Mean monthly concentrations of NO₂ and NH₃ varied across the transect in the range of 1.8–8.8 µg m^?3 and 1.8 – 69.3 µg m^?3, respectively. NH₃ concentrations exceeded the critical level (>23 µg m^?3) only in the 0.5 km vicinity. Assessment of needle surface wettability by measuring contact angles (CA) of water droplets and surface quality by measuring stomatal area covered by structural wax (SW) revealed significant (p<0.05) needle age, site, and year of sampling related differences. Comparison of SW between sites showed reliably (p<0.05) higher surface wax erosion on one-year-old needles sampled in the area, where ammonia concentration exceeds critical level. Significant correlations between site SW on one-year-old needles and distance from the pollution source, NO₂ and NH₃ concentrations were detected (r = 0.539; r = ? 0.495; r = ? 0.426; p<0.001, respectively). Correlations between CA and factors mentioned were lower.     

Erosion effects of air pollution on needle surfaces

A scanning electron microscope was used to study the epicuticular wax of conifer needles from forests in the San Bernardino Mountains, California, the Austrian mountains near Graz and Finnish forests under local air pollution stress combined with the northern cold climate. The purpose of the study was to compare and define the role of needle erosion as a factor in tree damage, to compare the injury types in California and European countries and to characterize and further identify the possible role of 0₃ in needle injuries. In all cases in this preliminary study, there were chronic erosion effects in slightly stressed trees. The different sites where trees were studied, ranging from slightly polluted to heavily polluted areas characterized by different pollutant types, yielded a variety of erosion types. A new injury type related to insect and 0₃ effects in experimental and field studies was described. Additional research to confirm the results is needed.     

Einfluß von Mg- und Ca-Mangel auf Mg- und Ca-Gehalte,Chlorophyllgehalt und Chlorophyllfluoreszenz von Fichtennadeln sowie auf die Mikromorphologie und Benetzbarkeit ihrer epicuticulären Wachse

The influence of Mg- and Ca-deficiency on the micromorphology of epicuticular waxes and on the wettability of spruce needles The influence of Mg- and Ca-deficiency in nutrient solution on epicuticular waxes of needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) was investigated in greenhouse experiments. Spruce clones were cultivated in sand and supplied with nutrient solution. For two vegetation periods, plants of the treatment groups -Mg, -Ca and -Mg/-Ca were provided with only 15 % of the respective mineral element of the control. At the end of the second vegetation period, the nutrient deficiency was documented by reduced Mg- and/or Ca-content of the needles and changes in chlorophyll fluorescence. No effect on micromorphology of epicuticular waxes and wettability of needles of any age was observed following deficient Mg and/or Ca supply.     

Effects of gaseous air pollutants on secondary chemistry of Scots pine and norway spruce seedlings

Plant secondary compounds have an important role in defense responses against herbivores and pathogens. This study summarises published and some unpublished data from a series of fumigation experiments where Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings were exposed to different concentrations of gaseous air pollutants, ozone (O₃), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) or nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), in growth chambers. Concentrations of monoterpenes, resin acids and total phenolics were studied. Overall, needle monoterpenes were not affected by pollutants. Only very high level of O₃ (600 ppb) decreased concentration of some individual monoterpenes in pine needles. O₃ did not have effect on concentrations of resin acids in pine needles. In contrast, the concentration of some individual resin acids increased in O₃-exposed pine shoots and in O₃-exposed needles of one spruce clone. The highest dose of SO₂ decreased concentrations of resin acids in pine needles, but low exposure levels did not have effects. However, SO₂ had no effects on the resin acids concentrations of spruce needles, except some minor individual compounds were affected in clonal spruces. Increased concentrations of resin acids was found in pine shoots exposed to NO₂. Total phenolics of needles were not affected by pollutants. These observations suggest that among secondary compounds there is variation in sensitivity to air pollutants and genetically different trees have different responses to air pollutants.     

Compensation point of NOx exchange: Net result of NOx consumption and production

The compensation point of bidirectional NO_x fluxes of plants is often determined in chamber measurements by varying the NO_x concentration and searching for the point where the net flux is zero. We hypothesized that the compensation point can vary with changing conditions so much that one constant value is not sufficiently accurate. The compensation point for NO_x fluxes of Scots pine was analysed with a model describing the NO_x consumption and production processes. Consumption was assumed to occur via the stomata and on needle surfaces, with the rate depending on ambient concentration and degree of stomatal opening. Production was assumed to occur on the needle surfaces depending on solar UV-A irradiance. We used NO_y flux data measured with two gas-exchange chambers in southern Finland to parameterize the model. The estimated compensation points increased with increasing UV-A irradiance and decreased with increasing stomatal conductance. With open stomata, it varied several ppb even under field conditions.     

Impact of acid fog and ozone on coastal red spruce

High levels of ozone and acidic fog have been measured along the coast of Maine, U.S.A. Some of the ozone and nitrate are a consequence of direct transport from East Coast metropolitan centers, but we discuss evidence supporting N₂O₅, and perhaps ozone, generation at forested sites from NO_x precursors. Fogs with pH below 3.3 occur with greatest frequency in the mid-coast region. Ozone is consistently highest along the southwest coast, but peak hourly averages are often highest in the mid-coast. Historical evidence suggests an increase in fog acidity and nitrate levels, but no change in sulphate within the past 48 years. Red spruce with decline symptoms can be observed from the south-coast to mid-coast region, with the greatest symptom development in the mid-coast. Trees in the mid-coast on soils with high base saturation and Ca/Al ratios develop symptoms of late winter injury (reddening and casting of current year needles in late winter and spring). Trees on poorer soils develop chlorosis on upper surfaces of older needles. Nutrient analysis of soils and foliage reveals differences between stressed and unstressed sites. Scanning electron microscopy of needle surfaces also reveals response differences between pollutant stressed and unstressed trees. Hypotheses and research directions are discussed.     

Seasonal and Diurnal Variation in Atmospheric Ammonia in an Urban Environment Measured Using a Quantum Cascade Laser Absorption Spectrometer

Extensive measurements were made using an Aerodyne quantum cascade laser absorption spectrometer (QCLAS) to study the diurnal and seasonal cycles of NH₃ concentrations in Manchester city centre. Measurements made at rooftop levels showed traffic to be a significant source of NH₃ concentrations in the winter. This was illustrated by a bimodal diurnal cycle of NH₃ concentrations that was synchronized with traffic, and also by a correlation with NO_x, a traffic related pollutant. These patterns were not observed during the summer, suggesting other sources become more important. Measurements were also made at street level during winter and summer, close to the traffic source. This time the contribution from traffic was also observed in the summer, albeit weaker. Enhanced NH₃ concentrations were often seen in winds from the southwest that could not be related to local sources, suggesting that ambient concentrations in the city are strongly influenced by sources outside the city. It is estimated that the total NH₃ emission from the city centre is between 0.7 and 2.3 t km^?2 year^?1.     

Inorganic Pollution in PM10 Particles Collected Over Three French Sites Under Various Influences: Rural Conditions, Traffic and Industry

PM₁₀ particles were collected over three sites in France. The first one, Montagney was a rural site that was considered as a reference site. The second site Saclay, close to a highway, was used to study the influence of the traffic. The third site was Dunkerque, one of the most industrial areas in France for the production of steel, aluminium and petroleum refinement. More than 50 element concentrations were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Comparisons between Saclay and Montagney shown that some elements, considered as crustal elements had similar concentration variations and weak (close to 1) enrichment factors. Elements with enrichment factors higher than 10 shown in Montagney correlated variations, with a Winter maximum, that should be due to Winter heating sources. Over Saclay, most of elements with high enrichment factors were attributed to the dense traffic of the highway. This is particularly true for Mn, Fe, Zn, Ba, Sb, Cu. Some additional elements correlated also, without a particular origin that can be ascertained. In Dunkerque, the most important industry is steel production. Correlation studies shown that Tl, Cs, Ba, Ag, Cu, Rb, Se, Mn, Pb concentration variations were closely associated to the Fe concentration variations. The second polluting industry is aluminium production. Correlation studies allowed to associate Ni, Y, Co, V, rare earth elements, Ti, Sr, Th, U, Ca, Sc, concentration variations to the aluminium concentration variations. A third important industry is petroleum refinement. The only element observed here and that is suspected to be emitted more specifically is La, used in cracking processes. An important enrichment of La with respect to Ce is observed. A strong decrease of the ratio Cl/Na was observed over the three sites, between the beginning of the experiment in Autumn 2005, and its end in Spring 2006. This was attributed to a release of gaseous HCl, produced by acidification of aerosols by other pollutants like NO _x and SO _x , that should have been oxidized to NO₂ and SO₃, then dissolved in the aerosols. The effects responsible for the loss of Cl, represents a large surface and long-term pollution event over the North of France. This work allowed a characterization of the heavy metal concentrations of the aerosol that will sustain results published in a companion paper, and that concerned the bio-accumulation of metals by Scleropodium purum, simultaneously exposed in the same sites.     

Bench Scale Evaluation of a Chemo-biochemical Process for Desulphurization of Gaseous Streams Containing Hydrogen Sulphide

Gases and suspended particulate matter are sampled and measured in situ at different sites within the city of Madrid to determinethe air pollution in the city. Lead concentrations in air are also determined. The information needed to assess levels of contaminants is obtained combining several analytical techniques,which provide real time concentration data of particles andgases. Particulate matter (PM), SO₂, CO, O₃, NO_x,NO₂, CH₄, total hydrocarbons and Pb were measured. Concentrations of pollutants are averaged over periods of hours,days, months and years. Variations of contaminant concentrationsin the last years are presented. Spatial and temporal distribution follows that of the traffic, the main source of pollution in Madrid City. Some specific measurements were carriedout to understand the influence of traffic emissions at themeasured site. Further, all measured concentrations never exceeded the European Union Directives.     

Norway Spruce: A Novel Method using Surface Characteristics and Heavy Metal Concentrations of Needles for a Large-Scale Monitoring Survey in Austria

Epistomatal wax structure, occurrence of dust, gypsum-crystallites and microorganisms on the needle surfaces and trace metal contents of current-year Norway spruce needles from various Austrian sites with different pollution levels and sources were analyzed. The epistomatal wax structure was assessed with a recently developed quantification method. Generally, sites in the vicinity of various emissions sources (e.g steel works, chemical industry, magnesite/cement works, highways, conurbations) showed significantly stronger degraded wax structures than sites remote from sources. However, between the individual categories of emitters hardly any difference in the degree of the observed wax degradation could be stated. Various pollutants or emission types seem to cause epistomatal wax degradations. For these findings the following methodological prerequisites which were derived from results of the present monitoring survey were taken into account: the epistomatal wax structures of identical trees were found being significantly different between sampling years. The reasons in behind need further clarification. Therefore only data from the same sampling year should be used for site comparisons in relation to pollution status. The occurrence of mechanical abrasions of surface waxes (which may be caused by the steadily rubbing of needles through heavy wind events) was identified as a further excluding factor for site comparisons. Dust particles and gypsum-crystallites were only detected on needles from sites located in the vicinity of emission sources, whereas the occurrence of microorganisms on the needle surfaces was not related to the vicinity of pollution sources. Several heavy metals were found in elevated concentrations in needles close to respective sources (steel works: Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Hg; metallurgical works: Fe, Mn, Ni, Mo, Cr, V; highways: Zn, Cu, Pb). Some of these metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, V) were also detected in the dust adhering to the needle surface. These results and the relation of higher contents to the denser covering of the needles with dust suggest that recently deposited adhering dust particles are responsible for the higher elemental contents measured in the needles. In contrast to these needle surface parameters, the epistomatal wax quality did not show any relation to the concentration of the investigated heavy metals.     

A Cost-Effective Methodology for Spatial Concentration Distributions of Urban Air Pollutants

A methodology to determine economically the spatial concentration distribution of the air pollutants of carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) and traffic rates (TR) is described. It involves the immediate transfer of samples from field to analysers for measurement and a subsequent statistical treatment. The proposed methodology has been applied in Patras using 5 and 50-l Teflon air sample bags, sampling at least 12 to 36-l actual volumes within a 20-min time interval. Totally, 221 pairs of 5-l and 112 single 50-l samples were randomly picked in morning rush hours of working days from 64 locations of a 40.0-km² area during a winter period, when peaks of primary air pollutants usually occur due to high traffic rates and systematic inversions. Measurements were used to statistically calculate spatial average levels approximating 1-h mean concentrations with acceptable mean probable errors less than 25 % for indicative random sampling. The 1-h levels were strongly correlated to the corresponding traffic rates. Iso-concentration diagrams indicated possible zones susceptible to high pollution levels and helped to check the location appropriateness of the existing monitoring stations for (a) fixed urban-background measurements at the Vas. Georgiou A’ Sq., which was ideal, and (b) fixed traffic-oriented measurements, which should be relocated to the Ipsilon Alonion Sq. In addition, data helped to determine other points where indicative measurements should be performed. Data could be very useful for the Patras air quality assessment in conjunction with model predictions and/or objective estimation methods.     

Evaluation of Storm Water Surface Runoff and Road Debris as Sources of Water Pollution

Street sweeping is regularly performed within cities and residential communities to reduce roadway debris and ensure properly functioning storm water management systems. Given removal of plant and soil debris, street sweeping may also reduce nonpoint source pollution through removal of leachate source material. To assess the influence of street sweeping on storm water pollutants, 36 storm water collection devices were installed within six residential communities in Central Florida and subjected to varying municipal sweeping regimes. Additionally, precipitation and storm water retention pond leachate samplers were installed to quantify pollutant sources that may enter and leave selected urban communities. Despite high variability in percentage of impervious surfaces, population density, and volume of road debris among communities, no significant (P?≤?0.05) differences were observed for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), nitrate + nitrite (NO_x), and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in storm water among communities or between swept and unswept areas of roadways. Similarly, no significant differences were observed for TKN, NO_x, and TP concentrations in precipitation and storm water. Significant differences in orthophosphate (ortho-P), however, were observed between communities and precipitation. Additionally, storm water TP concentrations were greater than discharge estimated to originate from communities within the study area. Although street sweeping may be effective at reducing volume of roadway debris, our data did not find it reduced N or P in storm water.     

A Modeling Study of the Impact of a Power Plant on Ground-Level Ozone in Relation to its Location: Southwestern Spain as a Case Study

The impact of atmospheric industrial emissions on secondary pollutant formation depends on many factors; one of the most important being the environmental setting in which the industry is located. The environmental setting affects an industry’s impact on ozone levels through both the air mass dispersion (a function of topography and wind patterns) and the emissions of organic volatile compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) in the area. This model-based study shows how the sensitivity of surface ozone changes with the choice of source location. For the analysis, seven points distributed along the Tinto–Guadalquivir Basin (in the Southwestern Iberian Peninsula) were selected. This area is characterized by the close proximity of natural environments and crop fields to cities, roads, and industrial areas with high NO _x emissions. Natural VOC emissions represent more than 60% of the total non-methane volatile organic compounds emitted in the study area. The results reveal that the largest increases in ozone levels are produced when the industry is located both far away from NO _x emission sources and near to biogenic VOC emissions. Furthermore, the highest increases over the hourly and 8-hourly maximums, as well as the highest accumulated daily values, are found in areas characterized by high VOC/NO _x emission ratios and NO _x sensitivity. The study of the recurrent meteorological patterns along with the distribution of chemical indicators of the O₃–NO _x –VOC sensitivity allows the determination of the industry’s geographical impact on ozone levels. This information enables air quality managers to decide the future location of an industry minimizing its impact on smog levels.     

The Importance of Nitrogen Oxides for the Exceedance of Critical Thresholds in the Nordic Countries

Impacts of air pollutants and especially acidification in ecosystems have been of serious concern in the Nordic countries since the 1970s. The current approach to assess several pollutants (sulfur and nitrogen oxides, ammonia, volatile organic compounds) and their effects (acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone) simultaneously is extremely complex. This study explored the relative role of nitrogen oxides in environmental impacts in the Nordic countries. The share of NO_x in the exceedances of critical loads, the long-term ecosystem protection targets, was found to be roughly 25% in acidification and 50% in eutrophication. The contribution of NO_x emissions to ground-level ozone formation was considered important, as NO_x is the limiting precursor in ozone formation in the Nordic countries. The comparison of observed and modeled accumulated ozone concentrations (AOT40) for the early 1990s shows noticeable differences in the Nordic area, partly due to the sensitivity of the AOT40 indicator to the 40 ppb threshold value.     

Influences of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature on the nitrate adsorption of biochar

Biochar (BC), charcoal produced through the pyrolysis of biomass, is reported to adsorb dissolved nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N). The NO₃-N adsorption properties of BC differ depending on the feedstock and the pyrolysis conditions, and the influences have not been systematically clarified. Therefore, we evaluated the dependence of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature on the NO₃-N adsorption properties of BC. Wood chips [Japanese cedar [Cryptomeria japonica] (CE) and Japanese cypress [Chamaecyparis obtusa] (CY)], moso bamboo [Phyllostachys edulis] chips (MB), rice [Oryza sativa] husks (RH), sugarcane [Saccharum officinarum] bagasse (SB), poultry manure (PM) and domestic wastewater sludge (WS) were air-dried and heated in a batch-type carbonization furnace at pyrolysis temperatures of 400, 600 and 800°C, with a hold time of 2 h. Among the BC produced from each feedstock, the one produced at 800°C had the greatest NO₃-N adsorption. The NO₃-N adsorption by BC produced from wood-based biomass at 800°C was significantly higher than that of the BC produced from non-wood-based biomass at 800°C. Therefore, BC made from wood-based biomass at higher temperature can be adequate as soil amendment material for adsorption of NO₃-N.