Sea Ice Approach and Chemical Species in Precipitation at Abashiri, Japan

Abashiri is a rural city on Hokkaido Island, Japan. It lies directly to the south of the Okhotsk Sea, which is the lowest latitude sea to freeze. We collected daily deposition samples over two periods: from Jan. 1997 to Mar. 1998, and from Nov. 1998 to Mar. 1999. The average concentrations of anthropogenic chemical species (NO₃ ^?, non-seasalt(nss)-SO₄ ^2?) were relatively low and those of seasalt species (Na⁺, Cl^?, Mg²⁺) were high in Japanese precipitation samples. During the period of study, we found that, when sea ice forms and approaches the coast, concentrations of seasalt species become lower, while almost no changes are found in the anthropogenic chemical species.     

Characteristics of Nitrogenous Air Pollutants at Urban and Suburban Forested Sites, Western Japan

Nitrogenous air pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), nitric acid (HNO₃), nitrate (NO ₃ ^? ), ammonia (NH₃), ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ ), and nitrous acid (HONO) were characterized at an urban forested (UF) site in Hiroshima and at a suburban forested (SF) site in Fukuoka, western Japan, using an annular denuder system for 1?year from May 2006 to May 2007 to compare the concentrations and chemical species of atmospheric nitrogenous pollutants between UF and SF sites. The proximity of the urban area was reflected in higher NO₂ concentrations at the UF site than at the SF site. NO₂ was more oxidized at the SF site because it is farther from an urban area than the UF site, which was reflected in higher concentrations of HNO₃ at the SF site than the UF site. HNO₃ and acidic sulfate is neutralized by NH₃, existing as ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) and ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄] at the UF site. At the SF site, acidic sulfate is neutralized by NH₃, existing as (NH₄)₂SO₄, but NH₄NO₃, had scarcely formed at the SF site. A much higher HONO concentration was observed at the UF site than at the SF site, especially in winter and spring at night, which could be explained by higher NO₂ concentrations at the UF site because of its proximity to an urban area and stagnant meteorological conditions. Atmospheric HONO determination was critical in evaluating the possibility of damage to trees in UF areas.     

Factors Associated with Well-to-Well Variation in Nitrate Concentration of Groundwater in a Nitrate-Polluted District in Miyakonojo Basin, Southern Kyushu, Japan

This study monitored nitrate levels in well water and analyzed their association with well attributes (physicochemical parameters of water, location, livestock farming conditions) in a nitrate-polluted, animal industry district in central Miyakonojo Basin, southern Kyushu, Japan, to characterize the nitrate status of groundwater in the district. Water quality varied considerably among the wells, with nitrate-N concentration and natural nitrogen-15 abundance in nitrate-N (δ¹⁵N-NO₃) ranging from 1.1–44.6 mg L^?1 and 4.2–17.8‰, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between nitrate-N concentration and δ¹⁵N-NO₃. Nitrate-N concentration was higher in wells located at higher elevations, having larger areas of livestock barns within a 100-m radius and with higher animal populations. Wells in pig farms showed a higher nitrate tendency than those in the other situations (cattle farm, poultry farm, non-livestock farm and non-farmer). The results show that the nitrate status of groundwater in the district has not been drastically changed since 1996, and the nitrate in the wells is of multiple origins (e.g. chemical fertilizer, animal wastes) with a tendency for higher contribution of animal wastes in more heavily polluted wells. The results also highlight a need for further regular monitoring of groundwater quality in the district particularly for wells; (1) located at higher elevations, (2) with a large area of livestock barns nearby, (3) in farms with a high animal population and/or (4) in pig farms.     

Effect of Ammonium: Nitrate Ratio on Yield,Calcium Concentration,and Photosynthesis Rate in Strawberry

The effect of ammonium:nitrate (NH₄:NO₃) ratio in nutrient solution on growth, photosynthesis (Pn), yield, and fruit quality attributes in hydroponically grown strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cvs. ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Selva’ was evaluated. There were four nutrient solutions of differing NH₄:NO₃ ratios as follows: 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25. Plants grown in solution with 75% NH₄ had lower leaf fresh and dry weights and leaf area than those with 25% NH₄ in both cultivars. High ratios of NH₄ and NO₃ in the solution always reduced the yield. The yield was increased by 38% and 84% in ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Selva,’ respectively, when the plants were grown in the 25NH₄:75NO₃ solution compared with plants grown in a higher NH₄ ratio solution. The increased yield at the 25 NH₄:75NO₃ ratio was the result of the increase in fruit size, i.e., length and fresh weight of fruits. Plants grown in the 25NH₄:75NO₃ solution had the highest rate of Pn, while those grown in 75NH₄:25NO₃ solution had the lowest Pn rates in both cultivars. Increasing the NH₄ ratio in the solution from 0 to 75% significantly reduced the calcium (Ca) concentration and postharvest life of the fruits in both cultivars. Both higher leaf area and Pn rate appeared to be the reason for the increased yield and plant growth in the 25:75 ratios of nitrogen (N). The results indicate the preference of strawberry plant growth toward a greater nitrate N form in a hydroponic solution. Therefore, a combination of two forms of N in an appropriate ratio (25NH₄:75NO₃) appears to be beneficial to plant growth, yield, and quality of strawberry fruits.     

Concentrations of Nitrogen and Sulfur Species in Gas and Rainwater from Six Sites in Indonesia

Gas mixing ratios of SO₂, NO₂ and HNO₃ and nitrate and sulfate concentrations in rainwater have beenmeasured at six sites in Indonesia. The sites, Jakarta, Serang,Cilegon, Merak and Bogor, in Java, and Bukit Koto Tabang inSumatra, provide a range of pollution regimes in Indonesia.Jakarta and Bogor are heavily polluted sites in Java, whereasBukit Koto Tabang is a clean air station in a relativelyunpopulated area on the west coast of equatorial Sumatra. At thesesites rainwater was collected daily and gas samples weeklyduring 1996. The other three sites Serang, Cilegon and Merakrepresent smaller regional towns in west Java. At these sitesrainwater samples were collected weekly from June 1991 untilJune 1992.The results show that Jakarta has the highest volume-weightedmean sulfate concentrations in rainwater while the lowest weremeasured at Bukit Koto Tabang. Volume-weighted mean nitrateconcentration was about 24 μeq L^-1 at Jakarta and Bogor,significantly higher than the 0.8 μeq L^-1 measured atBukit Koto Tabang.Sulfur dioxide mixing ratios ranged from 4–7 ppbv in Jakarta toan average of 1.3 ppbv at Bukit Koto Tabang. Nitrogen dioxidemixing ratio was highest in Jakarta averaging 28 ppbv comparedwith the background mixing ratio of 1.2 ppbv at Bukit KotoTabang. Using dry deposition velocities estimated during aseparate study in the similar conditions of Malaysia enabled drydeposition estimates of SO₂, HNO₃ and NO₂.Results of estimated total acidic S and N deposition (wet anddry) were greater than 250 meq m^-2 yr^-1 at the Jakartaand Bogor sites compared with about 23 meq m^-2 yr^-1 atBukit Koto Tabang. At Jakarta and Bogor dry deposition accountedfor more than 50% of the total deposition estimates compared with about 20% at Bukit Koto Tabang. Such deposition rates arehigh when compared to critical loads estimated for Indonesia bythe RAINS-Asia model. In this model, critical loads in western Java and equatorial western Sumatra fall into one of twoclasses: 50–100 and 20–50 meq m^-2 yr^-1. Thus acidic deposition flux at Jakarta and Bogor wasfound to be above the predicted critical loads even for the moreacid insensitive soils.     

Influence of Nitrate:Ammonium Ratios on Growth and Elemental Concentration in Two Azalea Cultivars

Abstract

Rooted cuttings of Rhododendron canescens “Brook” and Rhododendron austrinum were grown in sand culture with a modified Hoagland's solution under greenhouse conditions. The effect of varying ammonium:nitrate (NO₃ ^?:NH₄ ⁺) ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) on growth, chlorophyll content, plant quality, and elemental tissue concentration were determined. With NO₃ ^? as the nitrogen (N) form, both azalea cultivars exhibited less vegetative growth, lower overall plant quality, with leaves showing visual chlorotic symptoms in comparison to plants receiving NH₄ ⁺ as the N‐form. Leachate pH was highest with NO₃ ^? as the predominate N‐form and decreased significantly with each increment of NH₄ ⁺. With both azalea cultivars, N‐form significantly influenced uptake and utilization of essential plant nutrients. Leaf concentrations of N, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo) were highest with NO₃ ^?‐N. Leaf elemental concentrations of phosphorous (P), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) increased as NH₄ ⁺ supplied more of the N‐ratio. Significant differences in Mg, Mn, and Zn were observed between species. Results from this study show that foliar N concentration is not an accurate indicator of plant growth response. Further investigations are needed to determine if foliarchlorosis and low growth rates observed with NO₃ ^? fed plants due to an Fe deficiency, to low nitrate reductase (NR) activity in the leaves, or to a combination of these factors.     

Sulfur Isotope Variations in Atmospheric Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter and Deposits Collected at Kyushu Island, Japan

Atmospheric sulfur oxides, particulate matter and deposits (wet and dry deposits) were collected from July 1998 to June 1999 at Kyushu Island, Japan. The isotopic composition of sulfur (δ³⁴S) was measured to identify the source of sulfur in the samples. The monthly δ³⁴S values were always low in the order of the sulfur oxides, sulfate in particulate matter and deposits. The δ³⁴S values of the sulfur oxides ranged from ?2.7 ‰ to ?0.4 ‰ and were close to those of fossil fuels used in Japan. The δ³⁴S values of sulfate in the particulate matter and deposits correlated with seasalt contribution, so that the δ³⁴Snss value was calculated for non-seasalt sulfate. The δ³⁴Snss values of sulfate in the particulate matter and deposits trended higher in winter than summer, suggesting the possibility of isotopic fractionation during chemical transformation (SO₂ to SO₄ ^2?) and of contribution of sulfate derived from sulfur sources with higher δ³⁴S values.     

温州城市土壤Cu,Zn,Pb含量及其形态研究

分别采集了温州市区风景区、交通干线、住宅区、文教区、工业区土壤样品21个,郊区农田保护区土壤样品2个,测定了各土壤样品的基本理化性质和Cu,Zn,Pb,Cd含量。结果表明:各土样Cu,Zn,Pb的平均含量分别为(34.59±18.29)mg/kg,(169.40±52.97)mg/kg,(65.22±26.86)mg/kg,均超出温州土壤背景值。Cd仅在个别土样中检出,且浓度极低。各形态含量的分析结果表明,Cu,Zn,Pb均以残余态为主,分别为60.17%,50.95%,47.33%。Cu和Pb的酸提取态含量最低,Zn则是有机态含量最低。各形态含量与土壤基本理化性质的相关分析结果表明,Cu,Zn各形态与有机质含量的相关性最大,而Pb则与土壤基本理化性质之间无明显相关关系。     

Formaldehyde Concentrations in Ambient Air in Urban and Rural Areas in Gunma Prefecture, Japan

We measured formaldehyde concentrations in ambient air at urban (Isesaki) and rural (Annaka) sites in Gunma Prefecture, Japan from June 1998 to March 2003. Measurements were carried out once in a month to obtain daily mean formaldehyde concentrations. At both the sites, mean concentrations of formaldehyde were significantly higher from April to September (summer) than from October to March (winter). Formaldehyde concentrations in Annaka were essentially as high as those in Isesaki in summer, but were significantly lower in winter. At both the sites, concentrations of formaldehyde and oxidants correlated significantly with one another in the summer; correlation coefficients in Annaka and Isesaki were 0.82 and 0.64, respectively. The fraction of formaldehyde formed photochemically based on concentrations of benzene was calculated to be as high as 80% in both the sites in summer. The results suggested that formaldehyde concentrations were high even in rural air, reflecting photochemical reactions rather than automobile exhaust.     

Seasonal and Spatial Variations in the Chemical and Sulfur Isotopic Composition of Acid Deposition in Niigata Prefecture, Japan

The following measurements were carried out to clarify acid deposition in Niigata Prefecture, an area facing to the Sea of Japan. 1) Acid deposition fluxes and sulfur isotopic ratios of atmospheric deposition were measured at 9 sites in the prefecture in 1999. 2) Atmospheric deposition was collected daily at one site in 1997, to measure the sulfur isotopic variations of sulfate together with the air mass trajectory for each deposition. It became clear that: (a) The major component that acidifies atmospheric deposition is sulfuric acid. (b) Sulfate deposition increases in winter in the whole study area. (c) The sulfur isotopic ratios indicate that sulfur dioxide emitted from China affects the whole study area in winter. (d) Winter deposition of sulfate estimated to derive from coal combustion in China account for half of nss-sulfate deposition in average at 9 sites.     

Determination of Sulfate,Nitrate, and Chloride in Throughfall using Ion-Exchange Resins

Throughfall, the solution that falls from the forest canopy, is an important and commonly measured flux in forest ecosystem studies. Throughfall water and chemistry are highly variable spatially, requiring large numbers of collectors to quantify it. This and the fact that the solution can be chemically unstable make throughfall sampling very labor intensive, thus we have developed a method to reduce the field labor portion of this effort. Our throughfall collection method uses compact ion exchange resin columns that need only be collected every 1–2 months. The resin columns are subsequently extracted with 1.0 M potassium iodide (KI), releasing anions back into solution, with extraction efficiencies > 94% for sulfate, nitrate, and chloride. The extracts are analyzed by ion-chromatography (IC) to determine the total microequivalents of anions per unit area of collector surface collected over the period of resin column exposure. This ion exchange resin method was originally developed for a project in which we needed to deploy over 300 throughfall collectors to quantify throughfall variability across mountainous terrain with heterogeneous vegetation.     

Long-Term Observation of Fogwater Composition at two Mountainous Sites in Gunma Prefecture, Japan

We made serial observations on acid fog at Mt. Akagi and Mt. Haruna, Japan for 5 years. The altitudes of the sampling sites were 1500 m (Mt. Akagi) and 1200 m (Mt. Haruna) above sea level, and the sites were approximately 30 km apart. The average liquid water content (LWC) at Mt. Akagi and Mt. Haruna was 74 mg m^?3 and 63 mg m^?3, respectively. The pH of fogwater was 2.72–7.14 (mean 3.71) at Mt. Akagi and 2.94–6.58 (mean 3.73) at Mt. Haruna. Our long-term observations indicate that there was no significant difference in the chemical components in fogwater at both sites except for ammonium ion. However, there were some cases where the chemical components of fogwater at each site were differed remarkably even in the concurrent fog event. Nitrate and sulfate ions contributed to acidification of fogwater at Mts. Akagi and Haruna and 95% of sulfate ion in the fogwater originated from air pollution. Ammonia gas in the air was the main neutralizer of acidity in fogwater. When absorption of excessive nitric acid gas over ammonia gas in the air occurred, the pH of fogwater was lowered. Our back trajectory analysis indicated that the fogwater at Mt. Akagi was mainly affected by an air mass from the Kanto Plain, including Tokyo, while the fogwater at Mt. Haruna was influenced by an air mass from large, western cities, such as Nagoya and Osaka, as well as Tokyo.     

Accumulation Capacities of Particulate Matter in an Acrocarpous and a Pleurocarpous Moss Exposed at Three Differently Polluted Sites (Industrial, Urban and Rural)

The aim of this study was to compare the capacity of two morphologically different moss species to accumulate elements when exposed to three different types of air pollution (rural, urban and industrial). Transplants of Pseudoscleropodium purum and Ceratodon purpureus were exposed for 6 months, and the concentrations of 18 elements (Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, La, Pb and Bi) in the mosses samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. On the whole, the metals were accumulated by mosses, and this accumulation was correlated with concentrations in the atmospheric particles. Whereas P. purum is to be preferred for Al, Cu, Zn and Fe monitoring, C. purpureus was most efficient at accumulating Mo, Ti, V, As, Sn, La and Pb. In both species, a phenomenon of saturation was observed during the exposure at the most contaminated site (industrial).     

液培条件下氮素形态和化控技术对蔬菜硝酸盐累积的影响

以生菜和青菜作为供试材料,在液培条件下,研究了不同形态N素对蔬菜硝酸盐累积的影响,同时观测了叶面喷施两种低硝酸化剂的化控技术对降低蔬菜硝酸盐积累的效果.研究结果表明:N素形态对生菜的生长和硝酸盐的积累影响显著,而对青菜的影响不显著;相同形态N素供应时,青菜叶片中硝酸盐含量显著高于生菜中的含量,硝酸盐的积累取决于不同蔬菜品种的遗传特性.青菜和生菜叶面喷施两种低硝酸化剂对降低蔬菜中硝酸盐含量的作用不显著.     

Chemical Partitioning of Heavy Metals in Soils,Clays and Rocks at Historical Lead Smelting Sites

The chemical partitioning of lead and zinc is described in contaminated soils and underlying strata at historical lead smelting sites. Sections of soil-rock cores from eight sites of age 200 to c.1900 yr were analysed using a sequential extraction procedure. Of the total amount of lead and zinc present in soils, only a small proportion is in a readily mobile form. However, this proportion increases significantly as the pH falls below 5 and for lead reaches 37% in soils at Bole A. A high proportion of lead in soils appears to be associated with the carbonate and specifically adsorbed phase. It is suggested that this is partly due to the formation of cerussite (PbCO₃) in soils contaminated with calcareous slag wastes. Lead present in the residual phase in contaminated soils may be related to the presence of the element in silicate slag particles. Rapid migration of lead to a depth of 5.6 m in sandstone at Bole A was related to its high solubility in the acidic soils and rock at this site. Comparable migration at Bole C proceeds by a different mechanism, possibly with lead in association with Fe-Mn oxides and slag particles. In clay infill in fractured sandstone at Bole A, anthropogenic lead present at a depth of 4.4 m was extracted predominantly in the fraction representing Fe-Mn oxides.     

Chemical Composition of Precipitation, Throughfall and Soil Solutions at Two Forested Sites in Guangzhou, South China

Rain water at two forested sites in Guangzhou (south China) show high concentrations of SO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^? and Ca²⁺ and display a remarkable seasonal variation, with acid rain being more important during the spring and summer than during the autumn and winter. The amount of acid rain represents about 95% of total precipitation. The sources of pollutants from which acid rain developed includes both locally derived and long-middle distance transferred atmosphere pollutants. The seasonal variation in precipitation chemistry was largely related to the increasing neutralizing capacity of base cations in rainwater in winter. Soil acidification is highlighted by high H⁺ and Al³⁺ concentrations in soil solutions. The variation in elemental concentration in soil solution was related to nitrification (H⁺, NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^?) and cation exchange reaction (H⁺, Al³⁺) in soil. The negative effect of soil acidification is partly dampened by substantial deposition of base cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺) in this area.     

田块尺度上土壤/地下水中硝态氮动态变化特征及模拟

以青岛市大沽河下游地区冬小麦–夏玉米轮作农田为对象,通过田间试验和室内分析,研究了不同深度土壤和地下水中NO3–-N在一个轮作周期内的动态变化特征,探讨了不同氮肥施用量和灌溉量对土壤-地下水系统中NO3–-N时空分布的影响,并基于土壤水动力学和溶质运移理论对土壤中NO3–-N运移过程进行了数值模拟。模拟结果表明:小麦季施氮(N)量达到380 kg/hm2,玉米季施氮量达到290 kg/hm2时,季末剖面深度130~160 cm土壤NO3–-N含量超过10 mg/kg;由地下水NO3–-N月累计量估算模型得出,NO3–-N在6月和8月向浅部地下水的淋失量最大,分别为7.20、7.67 mg/L。     

山东省地下水硝酸盐含量状况及影响因素研究

国内外大量研究表明,地下水硝酸盐污染已成为普遍问题。为了摸清山东省地下水硝酸盐污染状况,通过调查取样分析,对本省地下水硝酸盐含量状况及其影响因素进行了研究。结果表明,山东省地下水NO3--N含量总体较低,平均为7.4mg.L-1,仅有2%的地下水超过了我国地下水质量标准（GB/T14848—1993）。地区之间地下水硝酸盐含量有很大的差异,其中临沂市NO3--N含量最高,达10.6mg.L-1。受降雨影响,雨季后地下水硝酸盐含量下降。农田利用类型对地下水硝酸盐含量影响较大,在粮田、设施菜地、露天菜地、果园4种类型中,设施菜地影响最大,NO3--N达到13.1mg.L-1,其次为果园。随着埋藏深度的增加,NO3--N含量呈先升后降的趋势,最大平均值出现在埋深20~50m的地下水中,达8.5mg.L-1。