Overview of historical and paleoecological studies of acidic air pollution and its effects

Historical evidence of acid deposition and its effects which was presented at Muskoka, Ontario in September, 1985 is summarized. This evidence consists of written records of the past chemistry and biology of atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic systems; it also includes evidence from archived collections which were “revisited”, from tree rings, and from the chemical and biological “records” in lake sediment and peat from which histories of airborne contaminants and ecosystem responses to these contaminants were inferred.     

Plant population studies and their relevance to nature conservation

Populations of several species of rare flowering plants have been monitored within permanent quadrats established on Widdybank and Cronkley Fells within the Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve. Data on mortality, longevity, production of flowers, fruits and seeds and on natality have enabled the life strategies of the species to be determined. The paper discusses the relationships between the effective reproduction of the plants, the communities in which they occur and the way in which the present management regime influences the survival of the populations. In addition, the relevance of information on the life strategy to the consideration of the conservation of individual species is discussed in relation to the establishment of gene banks and to recent protective legislation.     

Harmonization of air pollution control in the European community

In the first Action Programme of the Environment approved by the Council of Ministers on 22 November, 1973, the Commission of the European Communities was requested to determine criteria, to propose quality objectives and standards, to develop exchanges between Member States of measurement data from pollution control networks, to harmonize produce specification and actions with the industrial sector. A critical review is given in this presentation of the progress made in this respect at Community level and of the difficulties met. It can be stated that important progress has been made to harmonize national policies and to elaborate a Community policy in this field, notwithstanding the difficulties of smoothing away differences in existing and established national policies and situations.     

Throughfall and plant nutrient concentration response to simulated acid rain treatment

Over a 30-mo period forest microcosms were used to evaluate the impact of simulated acidic precipitation pH treatments of 5.7, 4.5, 4.0, and 3.5 annual average on the nutrient content of three tree species growing in the microcosm as well as the throughfall passing through the forest canopy. Throughfall pH responded significantly to the pH treatment and it was observed that while there was some neutralizing capacity in the canopy, it was not sufficient to completely ameliorate the treatments applied. Concentrations of Ca, Cl, and PO₄ increased in throughfall; however, these increases were generally associated with the lowest pH treatments. The principal anions, NO₃ and SO₄, introduced into the system by the precipitation treatments, exhibited different response patterns with throughfall NO₃ concentration declining with time and SO₄ increasing. While throughfall analysis suggested an increase in foliar leaching of certain elements, foliage, stem, and root analysis failed to suggest any consistently significant response for any element or tree species evaluated. Leaching of dry deposited materials and compensatory nutrient cycling are suggested as possible explanations for the observed increases in throughfall concentration in the absence of reductions in plant tissue concentrations.     

Diatom-based pH reconstruction studies of acid lakes in Europe and North America: A synthesis

The analysis of diatom assemblages in lake sediments is being increasingly used to reconstruct past trends in the pH of acid lakes. This paper briefly reviews the data that are now available for Europe and North America and concludes that the evidence is consistent with the acid deposition hypothesis for recent lake acidification.     

Environmental pollution and impacts on soils and forests nutrition in North America

The effects of acid deposition, excess N deposition, and elevated CO₂ on forest soils and nutrition in North America are reviewed. While there remains the possibility that acid deposition and excess N deposition are contributing to declines in red spruce, sugar maple, and southern pines, clearcut cause and effects are still not evident. Climate is clearly a major factor in red spruce decline in the northeastern U.S., but air pollution may contribute. There is some evidence that soil solution Al may be approaching deleterious levels in southeastern red spruce forests. Lack of proper management may be a major factor in the sugar maple and southern pine declines, but once again, air pollution as a potential contributor cannot be ignored. Nutrient budget analyses and discoveries of soils base cation depletion in certain sites suggest that base cation status is declining in forests of the southeastern U.S., but thus far, base cation deficiencies are uncommon. Recent research has revealed that there are more cases of N-saturated forests in North America than was previously suspected. These systems are characterized by high rates of soil N mineralization, high atmospheric N inputs, low uptakes, or some combination of these factors. Soil leaching and Al mobilization in such systems is often dominated by nitrate. However, the geographical extent of these types of systems is limited, and the traditional view that most forest ecosystems are N limited remains valid, especially where forest management is intensive. The limited information available on tree response to CO₂. suggests N-deficient plants often grow faster with elevated CO₂, whereas P-deficient plants often do not. Research is needed to 1) determine if the differences in response between N- and P-deficient plants is common, 2) the responses of plants deficient in other nutrients to elevated CO₂, and 3) the interactions of CO₂ increase, nutrient deficiencies, climate change.     

Changes in chemistry and mineralogy of forest soils by acid rain

The goal of the present study was a qualitative and quantitative determination of chemical and mineralogical changes in forest soils due to acid atmospheric depositions. In the NE/SE Vienna Woods soil samples were taken at 4 depths (0 to 5 cm, 5 to 10 cm, 10 to 20 cm, 20 to 30 cm) in the contaminated infiltration zone of stemflow (S) of 8 beech trees (Fagus sylvatica), strongly influenced by acid atmospheric depositions (soil-pH 2.8 to 3.0) and in their non contaminated reference areas (R) between trees, where acid imput is much smaller (soil-pH 5.0 to 6.0). The results show that intensive weathering processes took place in the contaminated soil areas, which show higher clay and silt contents and smaller aggregates, as well as clay illuviation. Moreover, in the top of the contaminated soil areas higher contents of C_t and S_t and of the heavy metals Pb, Zn and Cu could be observed, accompanied by extreme low base saturation (expecially of Ca and Mg) and high Al-saturation (50 to 80% of the CEC). These data were confirmed by analysis of the water saturation extract. Moreover, in the contaminated top soils high amounts of Fe-oxides were found, whereas no “secondary” Al-chlorite (due to its instability at pH-values <4.0) could be traced. The desilification process which took place at the same time could be shown through total element analysis. In the clay-fraction strong weathering led to a loss of layer charge and to the genesis of highly expandable three-layer-silicates which could be determined by X-ray diffraction using n-alkylammonium-chloride technics and other chemical treatments.     

Short-term response of soil respiration to simulated acid rain in Cunninghamia lanceolata and Michelia macclurei plantations

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Acid rain is a primary environmental problem in Southern China. However, the effect of acid rain on soil respiration rarely received attention, especially in...     

CO2 efflux from deciduous forest litter and soil in response to simulated acid rain treatment

Using both field and laboratory measurements of CO₂ evolution as an index of decomposer activity, forest microcosms were used to evaluate the impact of simulated acidic precipitation on decomposition. The following pH treatments: 5.7, 4.5, 4.0, and 3.5 annual average were applied for a 30 mo period. No statistically significant effect of treatment on decomposition could be found in the field measurements. When the microcosm was partitioned into 01 and 02 litter, mineral soil (A and B horizons), and roots within the mineral soil horizons for laboratory determination of CO₂ efflux, only the 02 litter exhibited a statistically significant decrease as a function of treatment. The data collected do not allow a complete evaluation of the potential impact of this decrease. However, efflux of CO₂ from the 02 layer was small compared to the other layers, and this may account for the failure to detect a significant response in the field measurements. Although the field data did not exhibit a significant response, there is sufficient question concerning the 02 response to warrant additional investigation, especially since many plants derive a major portion of their nutritional requirements directly from the 02 litter layer.     

Background level of indium and gallium in soil with special reference to the pollution of the soils from zinc and lead smelters

The mean and range of indium content in unpolluted soils (Humic Andosols, Eutric Fluvisols, and Mollic Gleysols) was found to be 0.037 (0.016–0.078) μg/g dry wt. In soils polluted by common heavy metals, elevated values of indium up to 1.92 μg/g dry wt were observed together with an increase of cadmium, zinc, and lead. In contrast to indium, gallium content in polluted soils was nearly the same as that in unpolluted soils throughout the profiles. The mean and range of gallium content in all unpolluted and polluted samples was 14.2 (12.8–16.3) μg/g dry wt. The indium and gallium contents in 4 Canadian reference soils were also analyzed.     

Energy use,emissions, and air pollution reduction strategies in Asia

In contrast to Europe and North America, air pollution in Asia is increasing rapidly, resulting in both local air quality problems and higher acidic depositions. In 1989, an east-west group of scientists initiated a multi-institutional research project on Acid Rain and Emissions Reduction in Asia, funded for the past two years by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Phase I, covering 23 countries of Asia, focussed on the development of PC-based software called the Regional Air Pollution INformation and Simulation Model (RAINS-ASIA). A 94-region Regional Energy Scenario Generator was developed to create alternative energy/emission scenarios through the year 2020. A long-range atmospheric transport model was developed to calculate dispersion and deposition of sulfur, based upon emissions from area and large point sources, on a one-degree grid of Asia. The resulting impacts of acidic deposition on a variety of vegetation types were analyzed using the critical loads approach to test different emissions management strategies, including both energy conservation measures and sulfur abatement technologies.     

Evaluation of accelerated H+ applications in predicting soil chemical and microbial changes due to acid rain

Abstract

A comparison was made between three acidified, simulated rain treatments which have been used to assess the impact of acid rain on soil chemical and microbial processes. There were significant differences in effects on chemical and microbial characteristics of soil exposed to the three treatments due to differences in the rate of H⁺ ion application, even though the total quantity of protons supplied was the same in each case. An input of 30 cm of simulated rain of pH 3.0 over 6 months increased microbial activity and caused only slight changes in soil pH and soil nitrogen status. Treatments in which the rate of H⁺ input was accelerated by increasing solution volume, or acidity, inhibited microbial activity and caused soil chemical changes in excess of those produced by the more gradual yet equivalent H⁺ loading. We conclude that the effects of short‐term, accelerated acid treatments cannot be used to realistically forecast long‐term impacts of acid rain. The results of such experiments may be useful in identifying processes or parameters for studies of longer duration.     

Simulated acid rain and the importance of organic ligands on the availability of aluminum in soil

Equilibrium extracts from soils of different horizons at a single profile were examined. The Al species in the extract were characterized with oxine and chelex-100 exchange techniques. The amount of Al was found to depend strongly on the availability of organic ligands, especially the more strongly-binding ones, in the soil. The reaction to an acidic input to the soil was also found to be controlled by the amount and the nature of the organic ligands.     

Emissions of acidifying air pollutants in the North West region of England

Most estimates of emission are concerned with the nation state level. This paper will discuss methods utilised in the estimates of emissions to the atmosphere of sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen from a densely populated and heavily industrialised region of the United Kingdom. Data on power generation, industrial plant, fuel usage, air, sea and road transportation, and human population statistics have been integrated into a method to provide regional emission estimates. The resulting emission patterns are described in terms of sources and emission density. Spatial and temporal patterns are identified and major sources of emissions discussed in terms of national control programmes. Transportation is the dominant source of oxides of nitrogen emissions whilst power generation is the dominant source of sulphur dioxide. The relative importance of the North West as an emission source within the UK is assessed. The change in the strengths of acidifying emissions between 1987 and 1992 is discussed and the rate of change in emission magnitudes between the North West region and the UK as a whole compared.     

Variations in the acid content of rain water in the course of a single precipitation

The major acid components in the rain water collected during five different rainfall events in July and August 1977, were found to be a strong acid, the weak acid NH _in4 ^su+ and dissolved CO₂ from the atmosphere. Variations in their concentrations were determined as a function of time in the course of each of the rainfall events. Two experimental methods were used in this investigation, a microtitrim etric method and a coulometric method, and the data were analyzed by the use of modified Gran functions. Both methods gave the same results. The most significant observation was that the strong acid concentration increased from very low values to a maximum and then decreased in the course of a single rainfall event.     

Background Contents of Heavy Metals in Soils and Bottom Sediments in the North of Western Siberia

Eurasian Soil Science - Background concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Hg, Cd, Ba, Sr, and Sc) in soils and bottom sediments were determined for the background and...     

Disease dynamics vary spatially and temporally in a North American amphibian

Local environmental conditions are a primary factor influencing chytridiomycosis, an emerging disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) that has affected over 200 amphibian species worldwide. In North America, seasonality and regional habitat differences predict considerable spatial and temporal disease variability, yet the sparse and opportunistic nature of most studies have provided insufficient data for understanding regional Bd epidemiology. We present a five-year field study that reveals spatial and temporal Bd dynamics across Lithobates yavapaiensis populations in Arizona, USA. Two populations showed no Bd infection or mortality, ten populations showed winter Bd infection, and five populations experienced winter mortality. Infection intensity decreased over winter sampling seasons, whereas mortality and infection prevalence did not change over time. Frogs dying from chytridiomycosis were significantly larger and had significantly higher infection intensities than survivors. We conclude that conserving L. yavapaiensis and other native amphibians requires protection and management of riparian ecosystems to promote populations large enough to survive winter cycles of chytridiomycosis.     

Physiological responses of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) to simulated acid rain and ambient ozone in the field

Physiological processes in field-grown soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. 'Davis’) to determine if plant responses were altered by simulated acid rain and if the responses to acid rain were modified by the presence of gaseous pollutants. Applications of simulated acid rain (pH 3.2, 4.2, and 5.2), alone or in combination with gaseous pollutants, did not significantly affect photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance of water vapor, or chlorophyll content at periodic intervals during the 1984 season. Furthermore, in leaf samples collected during pod fill, the concentrations of 11 elements were not significantly affected by simulated acid rain, alone or in combination with gaseous pollutants. These data are evidence that combinations of ambient rain and gaseous pollutants at similar levels may not cause significant physiological disruption in field-grown Davis soybean, and provide mechanistic support for studies where no significant effects on yield were reported.     

Arctic marine mammals as integrators and indicators of mercury in the Arctic

Mercury concentrations were determined in liver, kidney and muscle of belugas, narwhal, whitebeaked dolphins, pilot whales, ringed seals, harp seals and walrus. Tissue collections and analyses were performed largely over the past 10 years. Sampling sites ranged across the Canadian Arctic from the Mackenzie Delta and Banks Island in the west, Grise Fjord in the north, the Atlantic coast in the east and south. High Hg levels in the liver of ringed seals from the western Arctic, collected in 1987 and 1988 were similar to previously-reported values for ringed seals collected in 1973 and 1972 from the same area. Comparison among different marine mammal species showed substantial inherent differences in Hg levels among different species. White-beaked dolphins and walrus had much less Hg than pilot whales. A comparison of Hg levels in ringed seals from locations across the Arctic and Hudson Bay showed that Hg was generally higher in ringed seals from the western than the eastern Arctic, indicating a possible influence of the different geological settings in the eastern and western Arctic. The effect of age was considered in these comparisons. A similar, but less pronounced effect was noted for belugas, with some possible anthropogenic influence on animals in Hudson Bay. The spatial trend in Hg levels in animals appeared to be largely present-day background concentration reflecting geological differences between the eastern and western Arctic. Higher Hg concentration were present in surficial sediments and coastal waters in the western Arctic than the eastern Arctic in accord with the Hg trend observed in seals and belugas.     

F-11 AND N2O in the North American troposphere and lower stratosphere

This research determined the spatial and temporal distribution of flu orotrichloromethane (F-11) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in the troposphere, across the tropopause and into the lower stratosphere. Four airborne field data collections using a Learjet extend over nearly 2 yr (May 1975 to April 1977). For interpretive purposes, the atmosphere was divided into three analysis layers in the vertical, including the troposphere, a tropopause zone, and the lower stratosphere. F-11 and N₂O are vertically well-mixed in the troposphere and concentrations of both compounds decrease in the tropopause zone and to a lesser degree in the lower stratosphere. The importance of the prevailing meteorology in the analysis near the tropopause is shown. The samples collected during the North American flights of October 1976 (latitude range 65°N to 18°N) were categorized into groups indicating their origin in either a high, middle, or low latitude air mass based on a 24 h wind trajectory analysis. The tropospheric samples of F-11 collected in high latitude air masses had higher concentrations than those collected in low latitude air masses. The tropospheric data indicated an increase in F-11 concentration with time. Nitrous oxide concentrations appear to be stable both spatially and temporally.