Material Damage Caused by Acidic Air Pollution in East Asia

Atmospheric and laboratory corrosion tests were carried out to assess the intensity of air pollution in East Asia. Qualitative and quantitative atmospheric corrosion was estimated from the damage caused to bronze, copper, steel, marble, cedar, cypress and urushi (Japanese lacquer) plates, exposed to outdoor and indoor airs in some cities of East Asia. Brochantite and cuprite were formed on copper at sites where the sulfur dioxide concentrations were high, and basic cupric nitrate and cuprite at sites where nitrogen dioxide concentrations were high. Gypsum was formed on marble pieces exposed to indoor air at all sites but was not found on pieces exposed to outdoor air. Numerous fine spots (0.2–0.3 mm in diameter) were observed on surfaces of urushi plates exposed at foggy cities such as Chongqing, China and Taejon, Korea. The effects of atmospheric and meteorological factors on the damage to copper and marble plates in several cities in East Asia were estimated using regression analysis. The results indicate that sulfur dioxide is the most destructive of materials especially in China and South Korea. In Japan copper plates may be damaged under natural conditions and by sea salt. Copper may also be damaged by surface deposition of sulfur and chlorine. Marble may be substantially degraded by gaseous sulfur dioxide but sulfate ions in rain had no effect. The analysis of air pollution from the point of view of material damage was very useful in evaluating and visualizing the intensity of air pollution in East Asia.     

Fog Water Chemistry at Mt. Oyama and its Dominant Factors

We have observed acid fog in Mt. Oyama since 1988. Fog events occur frequently in Mt. Oyama; 47% of the time the mountain top is covered with fog. The pH of fog is lower than that of rain collected at the fog sampling station by about 1 unit and the lowest pH was 1.95. We have also collected gas and aerosol components at the station and observed fog events by a video camera from the mountain base, where there is an air pollution monitoring station. The air quality at the fog sampling station was affected by not only the air quality at the base but also the wind direction, valley or mountain wind. It is ascertained by using back trajectory analyses that polluted air masses are transported to the base from the Kanto plains or other big urban areas, Osaka and Nagoya. When the base is polluted, the relative humidity increases, and the valley wind blows, acid fog is formed at the mountainside. In the acid fog, nitrate ion is the most abundant anion. Nitrate ion concentration correlates well with hydrogen ion concentration. The annual mean total ion concentration has not changed much since 1988, but the concentration ratio of nitrate ion to sulfate ion has increased in recent years. The nitric acid gas concentration in the station is comparable to that in urban areas, while other gas concentrations are much lower.     

Observations of Visibility and Chemical Compositions Related to Fog,Mist and Haze in South Korea

Since 1970, the yearly consumption of fossil fuel in south Korea has steadily increased to 165 MT from 14 MT. It has been found that the number of days of low visibility (≤10 km) was significantly increased by the occurrence of fog, mist and haze. For example, the low visibility days in Seoul during 1989 were over 207 days in comparison with 21 days at a rural site. This similar trend has been observed in other large cities. In Chongwon of central Korea, daily measurements of visibility at 09 LST have been made since 1991. It is observed that the increase in the frequency of low visibility days was related to the increase in anthropogenic air pollution and water vapor in the study area. The occurrence of fog-mist-haze was much related to the influence of local, regional and synoptic meteorology. With the increase in both water supply and emission of air pollution, in Korea we commonly observe the typical historical type of London mist and haze. In this study, chemical analyses of fog, mist, haze and frost was carried out. According to analyses of data obtained in 1995, the pH values for 65.9% of all fog and mist samples collected were less than 5.6. The lowest pH value of fog was 4.0. On the other hand, pH values observed for dew and frost in early spring were generally neutral to alkaline in nature, although there was an abundant existence of sulphates and nitrates. This suggests that characteristics of yellow sand and soil dust occurring in spring appear to determine the pH values in hydrometeors occurring on the Korean peninsula. A satellite observation of sea fog is also discussed. It has been observed that the advection fog occurred with air pollutants over the Yellow Sea which were moving out of China.     

Pattern and cause of acidic deposition in the Chongqing region,Sichuan Province,China

The Chongqing region located in Sichuan Province of China, comprises a large city, many small towns and rural areas. The region relies heavily on high-sulfur coal for energy production. Atmospheric pollution by sulfur oxides and other compounds from coal burning has become a major issue. Acid rain is observed throughout the region; volume weighted average pH is about 4.30. Average total S deposition for the region is estimated to be about 8 g S m^?2 yr^?1. In this paper we report concentrations of major ions in rain, fog, dew and clouds, of SO₂ in air and of airborne particles as well as dustfall. The emissions and interactions between important chemical species in air and water droplets are discussed.     

Hygroscopic salts on the leaf surface as a possible cause of forest decline symptoms

Forest decline has been observed for about 20 years, especially in Central Europe and eastern North America. Whereas the direct effects of acid rain, acid fog and several trace gases on aerial parts of trees have been investigated, deposited atmospheric particles on leaf surfaces have been regarded as inert so far. By conductance measurements on the surface of coniferous needles an invisible wetness was observed over extended times. Washing experiments revealed this to be due to hygroscopic salts on the leaf surface, which will absorb water vapour mostly from leaf transpiration. The possible influence of salts on the microclimatic conditions on the leaf surface is outlined and it is concluded that they will act similar to a wick or a drying agent. This could form a direct link between air pollution and those forest decline symptoms which are connected with the water status of the trees.     

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.     

Quantitative determination of tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate by densitometry of thin layer chromatograms

The flame retardant tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (Tris) was chromatographed on silica gel thin layer plates, using ethyl acetate-hexane (30+70) as the developing solvent. Tris was visualized by spraying the chromatogram with 1% aqueous silver nitrate followed by exposure to ultraviolet light for 40 min. Tris appeared as dark gray spots on a white background; the spots were quantitated by densitometry at 660 nm. The lower level of sensitivity was 50 ng; calibration plots were linear from 50 to 800 ng. The procedure was developed to determine the levels of unmetabolized Tris remaining after exposure to sewage sludge suspensions. Recovery of Tris from 3 sewage sludge samples fortified at the 1.0 ppm level averaged 97%.     

Pollutant wet deposition mechanisms in precipitation and fog water

Wet deposition of acid-related substances takes place by two processes: precipitation scavenging and fog water impaction/sedimentation on natural surfaces. The relative importance of each deposition pathway depends on the frequency of occurrence of precipitation or fog, the magnitude of the event and the efficiency of pollutant removal by each mechanism. The latter, in turn, is governed by the type of cloud or fog, complex precipitation formation mechanisms and cloud-surface interactions. These factors are examined in the light of our current knowledge. Particular emphasis is placed on how cloud micro-physical as well as air and precipitation measurements, made aloft by aircraft and at the ground, have been used to further our knowledge of wet deposition mechanisms. Future research is needed to quantify the importance of the fog-water deposition pathway in eastern North America to better understand the interaction of gaseous pollutants with cloud and fog-water and to improve our knowledge of pollutant scavenging processes in mesoscale and synoptic weather systems.     

PH—Postharvest Technology: Surface Gloss and Weight of Eggplant during Storage

Surface gloss and weight loss are two important parameters to judge the freshness of eggplant. Data were collected in order to develop some quick and reliable instrumental methods to determine these. Surface gloss and weight loss of eggplant stored for 0–96 h at 80–84% relative humidity and 20°C temperature were determined using a computerized spectral radiometer and a precision electronic balance, respectively. The surface gloss was quantified in terms of gloss index, and a relationship between weight and gloss index during storage of eggplant was established. Gloss index and weight both decreased quadratically with storage period. Major changes were observed in the first 48 h of storage. Weight and gloss index of eggplant during storage were found to be correlated linearly.     

Studies on Atmospheric Pollution,Acid Rain and Emission Control for their Precursors in Chongqing,China

Chongqing City in China has suffered from serious air pollution and acid rain caused by low graded raw coal (sulfur=ca. 3≈5%, ash=ca. 30%) combustion. In this paper, the situation of atmospheric pollution and acid rain in Chongqing are discussed, the reduction efficiency for sulfur dioxide (SO₂) with the bio-briquetting of the raw coal that is one of countermeasures for emission control of air pollutants due to domestic consumes was determined. The research indicated that the frequency of acid rain was high, more than 50% at urban area, and its pH was low, about 4.5. Under our experimental conditions, the reducing efficiency of sulfur SO₂ emission from high sulfur coal-biomass briquette amounted to 87%. The field investigation indicated that SO₂ indoor concentrations in case of using bio-briquette dropped to 1/2≈1/3 of the raw coal.     

大范围土壤监测方案的一般问题: 综述

Numerous scientific challenges arise when designing a soil monitoring network (SMN), especially when assessing large areas and several properties that are driven by numerous controlling factors of various origins and scales. Different broad approaches to the establishment of SMNs are distinguished. It is essential to establish an adequate sampling protocol that can be applied rigorously at each sampling location and time. We make recommendations regarding the within-site sampling of soil. Different statistical methods should be associated with the different types of sampling design. We review new statistical methods that account for different sources of uncertainty. Except for those parameters for which a consensus exists, the question of testing method harmonisation remains a very difficult issue. The establishment of benchmark sites devoted to harmonisation and inter-calibration is advocated as a technical solution. However, to our present knowledge, no study has addressed crucial scientific issues such as how many calibration sites are necessary and how to locate them.     

Canopy level fog occurrence in a tropical lowland forest of French Guiana as a prerequisite for high epiphyte diversity

Fog frequency and the meteorological processes leading to fog formation have never been studied in depth in tropical lowland forest areas. This study provides detailed evidence of frequent fog occurrence in lowland valleys of central French Guiana. Fog frequency showed a clear diurnal course, with a maximum before sunrise; average fog duration was 4.6 h. The diurnal course of visibility was positively correlated with the diurnal course of humidity in the above-canopy air. Fog persistence correlated significantly with atmospheric parameters during the dry season, but not during the rainy season. The main trigger of fog development in the lowland forest seemed to be precipitation, leading to higher soil moisture, greater evapotranspiration and, thus, higher water content of air. An increasing temperature difference between valley and hill sites after sunset, together with more frequent down-slope winds during nights with long fog periods, points at some influence of katabatic flows. The frequent occurrence of fog in the valleys correlated with significantly higher epiphyte diversities in valley forests as compared to hill forests, and supported the occurrence of the hitherto undescribed, epiphyte-rich “tropical lowland cloud forest” (LCF) in the valleys. The higher epiphyte diversity in LCF coincided with significantly higher relative air humidity in LCF than in hill forest. The ecological benefits of fog for the epiphytes in LCF are surplus of moisture and delayed onset of the stress period, particularly in the dry season.     

Interpretation of infrared spectra for OM characterization of soil structural surfaces of Bt‐horizons

The surfaces of macropores or aggregates can act as hot spots for biogeochemical processes and solute transport during preferential flow. For the characterization of organic matter (OM) at macropore surfaces non‐destructive methods have been applied such as diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT). However, effects of organic components on DRIFT signal intensities are often difficult to distinguish from those of mineral components. Here, DRIFT spectra from intact earthworm burrow walls and coated cracks were re‐evaluated to improve the interpretation of C–H and C=O bands. We compared DRIFT and transmission Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of entire samples that were from the same pedogenetic soil horizon (Bt) but different in mineral composition and texture (i.e., glacial till vs. loess). Spectra of incinerated samples were subtracted from the original spectra. Transmission FTIR and DRIFT spectra were almost identical for entire soil samples. However, the DRIFT spectra were affected by the bulk mode bands (i.e., wavenumbers 2000 to 1700 cm^?1). These bands affected spectral resolution and reproducibility. The ratios between C–H and C=O band intensities as indicator for OM quality obtained with DRIFT were smaller than those obtained from transmission FTIR. The results demonstrated that DRIFT and transmission FTIR data required separate interpretations. DRIFT spectroscopy as a non‐destructive method for analyzing OM composition at intact surfaces in structured soils could be calibrated with information obtained with the more detailed transmission FTIR and complementary methods. Spectral subtraction procedure was found useful to reduce effects of mineral absorption bands. The improved DRIFT data may be related to other soil properties (e.g., cation exchange capacity) of hot spots in structured soils.     

Chemistry of Fog Water Collected in the Mt. Rokko Area (Kobe City, Japan) between April 1997 and March 2001

Fog chemistry was studied for four years (April 1997–March 2001) at Mt. Rokko (altitude 931 m) in Kobe, Japan. A collection of samples was obtained at a mountainous site close to a highly industrialized area. The samples were collected by an active string-fog collector. The summer fog was dense and frequent. The geography of Mt. Rokko is linked to the seasonality of the occurrence and the thickness of the fog. Among the meteorological parameters, the relative humidity was important for the occurrence of fog. The correlation of the concentrations of the components in fog water indicated that (NH₄)₂SO₄ and/or NH₄HSO₄ were involved in the process of the formation of fog drops in the atmosphere. The concentration of the components decreased with an increase in the liquid water content (LWC) of the fog, and the seasonal variation of the concentration of some components depended on the seasonal variation of the LWC. The equivalent ratio of NO₃ ^? to non-sea salt (nss?) SO₄ ^2? was considerably larger than that in precipitation. Ammonium ion accounted for the largest percentage of cations, which indicates that NH₄ ⁺ was an important counter cation for NO₃ ^? and nss-SO₄ ^2?. A unique fog event in which the air pollutants seemed to be scavenged stoichiometrically was sometimes observed. The methodology used for collecting fog water at 60 mL intervals provided detailed information.     

Pine Needle Chemistry Near a Large Point SO2 Source in Northern Fennoscandia

Air pollution induced changes in pine needle chemistry were observed at sample sites in the surroundings of the Pechenganikel smelter. Close to the smelter, elevated concentrations of Ni, Cu and S were found (Ni: 0.7–1 mmol/kg, Cu: 0.4–0.5, and S 40–60 mmol/kg). Close to the pollution source, needles were enriched in Ni and Cu by needle age. Correlation and principal component analyses show that changes in the element composition of pine needles depended on air pollution and on natural factors as well. The contribution from air pollution increased with needle age. Besides direct input of pollutants from atmosphere, soil contamination and nutritional disturbance contributed significantly to the observed changes.     

Nutrient response to diagnostic fertilization of Norway spruce Picea aries (L.) karst plantations in Western Quebec,Canada

Maple forests in southern Quebec are suffering in the 1980s from a serious decline thought to be associated, in part, with acid deposition effects on their nutrient status. Research was undertaken to determine if conifers were subject to similar phenomena. The nutrient status of three Norway spruce plantations in southwestern Quebec were studied through foliar and soil analyses. In all locations low N and K and marginal Mg foliar concentrations were identified. Diagnostic fertilization resulted in improved K and P and in some cases Mg and N levels. The foliage of the treated trees has an improved dark green color as compared with the controls. From this research it is evident that nutrient deficiencies of N, K and Mg, in particular, are showing up in spruce stands in the areas where air pollution and acid rain are relatively severe. Proper diagnostic fertilization helped to correct the nutrient disturbances.     

重庆市畜禽粪污的区域分布及其水环境响应特征分析

为解决常见畜禽养殖排污量估算方法存在的缺陷和核实重庆市畜禽养殖目前污染状况,在调研当地畜禽养殖业及其排放状况的基础上,提出计算规模化养殖场排污量的校正方法,核算在现有治污模式下的典型畜禽排污量;以重庆市五大功能区为研究对象,基于不同水环境功能区划,采用等标污染负荷比法,研究了化学需氧量(CODCr)、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)等标排放量的功能区分布及其潜在水环境响应特征,进而确定了畜禽养殖业主要污染区域和主要污染物,为重庆市不同功能区的产业发展和环境保护提供决策依据。结果表明,重庆市2013年畜禽养殖量为411.81万猪当量,粪便、尿、CODCr、TN、TP实物排放量分别为2.27×106 t、1.66×106 t、3.03×104 t、0.72×104 t和1.87×104 t。CODCr、TN、TP等标排放量分别为1.44×109 m3、7.94×109 m3和1.02×1011 m3。主要污染区域为城市发展新区和渝东北生态涵养发展区,主要污染物为TP,且重庆市畜禽养殖业的发展与功能区划有着显著相关关系。因畜禽养殖污染引起的全市水环境水质综合指数在0.22~4.12。城市发展新区和渝东北生态涵养发展区的水质超过标准,其余功能区均未超标。     

山地校园不同下垫面雨水径流重金属污染特征和健康风险评估

[目的] 了解山地校园不同下垫面雨水径流重金属污染特征及雨水径流中重金属元素对于人体的健康风险,为山地海绵城市建设提供径流污染控制参考和人员健康保护基础数据。[方法] 2019年7月22日在重庆交通大学针对屋顶、道路、停车场和广场4种典型的下垫面进行了雨水径流的取样监测,并统计分析场次降雨平均浓度（EMC）、电导率（EC）、钠吸附率（SAR）、危险商（HQ）和危险指数（HI）。[结果] 广场径流过程中重金属元素整体变化波动较大,道路雨水径流的重金属健康风险最大而屋顶健康风险最小;大多重金属污染物在产流后的10 min内出现了降幅,其中Fe和Mn的降幅较大,Zn的降幅中等,Cu的降幅最低;As和Cr是雨水径流中健康风险最高的重金属污染物。[结论] 山地校园重金属污染物冲刷速度较快,人流大的下垫面雨水径流中重金属元素变化波动较大,但健康风险较低;车流大的下垫面雨水径流中重金属元素波动较为稳定,但健康风险较高。     

Auswaschung von Nährstoffen durch sauren Nebel aus jungen intakten Fichten (Picea abies)

Leaching of nutrients out of young intact spruce (Picea abies) by acid fog The effect of acid fog on the leaching of minerals and carbohydrates out of needles of five year old spruce trees (Picea abies) was studied. The fogs were prepared from H₂SO₄ and HNO₃ (2:1) with a pH of 2.75 (acid treatment) and 5 (control treatment). The acid fog leached significantly higher amounts of K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn as well as carbohydrates as compared with the control fog. The absolute quantities of minerals leached, however, were low and amounted to only some percent of the minerals generally present in needles. Except Zn, of which the quantity leached was about as high as the Zn needle content. Nevertheless the Zn concentration in the needles treated with acid fog was not lower than the Zn concentration in the control needles suggesting that the lost Zn was quickly compensated by Zn uptake. In the treatments with acid fog damage symptoms appeared at the end of the experimental period. In the older needles a weak chlorosis occurred; from the needles of the 1^st year some turned redish brown. In the acid fog treatments all needles lacked brightness while the control needles looked bright. These symptoms were similar to those under field conditions of older spruce trees with the ?lametta syndrom”?. Electron microscopic investigation revealed that the wax layer of the needles treated with acid fog was badly damaged.     

千岛湖底泥重金属污染的生态风险评价

水体底泥污染是世界范围内的一个环境问题,污染物通过大气沉降、废水排放、雨水淋溶与冲刷等途径进入水体,最后沉积到底泥中并逐渐富集,使底泥受到污染。千岛湖不同监测点底泥Cu、Zn、M n、Pb、Cd、A s、Hg等重金属含量存在差异。大坝前、毛竹源和三潭岛监测点M n、A s和Hg含量较高。不同采样点,底泥重金属污染度有差异,表现为毛竹源>三潭岛>航头岛>茅头尖>大坝前>排岭水厂>街口,毛竹源测点底泥重金属污染风险最高,街口重金属污染风险最低。