Chemical Composition of Precipitation in Beijing Area, Northern China

Variations of anions (SO₄ ^2-, NO₃ ^-,NO₂ ^-, Cl^- and F^-),cations (K⁺,Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and ⁺) and pH values in precipitation, througfall and stemflow samples collected overa four-year period (1995–1998) in Beijing (two sitesZhongguancun and Mangshan) are presented. The annualvolume-weighted range of pH values were 6.57–7.11 inprecipitation, 5.46–6.86 in thoughfall and 5.32–6.41 instemflow. The fominant anion was , while Ca⁺and NH₄ ⁺ were the main cations in precipitation,throughfall and stemflow. Most of ion concentrations with precipitation, throughfall and stemflow volume showed negative correlation, except for some ones. Significant correlationvalues were also found between ions (SO₄ ^2-,NO₃ ^-, Cl^-, F^-, Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺ andNa⁺) in precipitation, throughfall and stemflow indicatedthe common sources of these ions such as coal combustion,automobile emission and fertilizers application. Compared toprecipitation, there was an increased ion concentration inthroughfall or in stemflow. Changes of ion concentrations werein Quercus liatungensis Koiz. and Pinus tabulaefornisCarr. throughfall (or stemflow) because of different crown andbark qualities of tree species.     

Rapid Time Variations in Chemical Composition of Precipitation in South Korea

Data from a monitoring program on precipitation at four sites in South Korea during the period from 1993 to 1998 were analyzed for determining a time trend relationship in chemical composition of precipitation. The concentrations of nss-sulphate, ammonium and calcium were found to have decreased over time at a statistically significant level in Seoul (p<0.05). The concentration of nss-sulphate had declined by a rate of 12% per year for the period from 1993 to 1998. The concentrations of ammonium and calcium decreased by 11% and 12% per year respectively for the same period. The concurrent reduction of cation offsets the change in strong acid anion, thus the annual mean pH of precipitation has been approximately constant. In contrast to the rapid change of sulphate, the second most abundant anion, nitrate, showed no statistically significant decrease. As a result, the nitrate to nss-sulphate ratio (N/S ratio) has increased rapidly; the N/S ratio in precipitation has increased from less than 0.1 in 1985 to nearly 0.5 in 1998 at Seoul. In spite of the short monitoring period, a significant upward trend in the N/S ratio was also observed at all of the other sites suggesting that the nitrogen species contribute more to precipitation acidity throughout Korea.     

Trends in Sulfate,Base Cations and H+ Concentrations in Bulk Precipitation and Throughfall at Integrated Monitoring Sites in Finland 1989-1995

Temporal trends in sulfate, base cation (Ca2+ + Mg2+ + K+), and H+ ion concentrations in bulk precipitation and throughfall samples collected over a seven year period (1989-95) in four forested catchments in Finland are presented. The catchments are in remote locations and span the boreal zone (61-69 °N). The stands represent old, undisturbed forests, and are composed of varying proportions of Scots pine, Norway spruce and deciduous species (mainly Betula spp.). Monthly SO₄ ^2- and H+ ion concentrations in bulk precipitation averaged over the study period and catchments were: 18.7 µmol L^-1 and 32.3 µmol L^-1. The corresponding values for throughfall were: 37.4 µmol L^-1 and 32.4 µmol L^-1. Sulfate and H+ ion concentrations in bulk precipitation and throughfall both showed negative linear trends, which were significant (p < 0.05) for the three southernmost catchments. Concentrations and trend slope decreased northwards (e.g., bulk precipitation SO₄ ^2- slope estimates: ^-1.6 to ^-1.0 µmol L^-1 yr^-1). The decline was greater for throughfall than for bulk precipitation, indicating a proportionally greater reduction in dry deposition than wet. The sum of base cation concentrations averaged 12.1 µmol(+) L^-1 in bulk precipitation and 83.1 µmol(+) L^-1 in throughfall. There were no significant trends in the sum of base cations (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the reported reduction in S emissions over the study period has resulted in a significant reduction in the acidity and SO₄ ^2- concentration of bulk precipitation, and this reduction has has been reflected in throughfall concentrations. The greatest reduction has taken place in the southern part of the country.     

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.     

Integrated Assessment of Soil Chemical Status. 2. Application of a Regionalized Model to 622 Forested Sites in Switzerland

A regionalized version of the dynamic, process-oriented, multi-layer soil chemistry model SAFE was applied to 622 forest sites in Switzerland to assess effects of acidifying atmospheric deposition on the soil chemistry between 1850 and 2050. Simulation indicates that the present day chemical status of Swiss soils is a result of the last 50 years of acid deposition. Indicative soil parameters such as soil solution pH, acid neutralizing capacity, total Al concentration, base cation to total A1 molar ratio and base saturation consistently deteriorate since the beginning of the 1950s, when acid loads start to increase. The simulated adverse evolution of soil chemistry persists until some time between 1975 and 2010, and apart from being site-dependent, the turning-point is also dependent on which parameter is considered at which soil depth.     

The Chemical Composition of Precipitation in Madrid

The present study examines the chemical characteristics of first-fraction precipitation samples collected over a period of one year in Madrid, and patterns of temporal and spatial variation observed in their composition. One hundred and sixty-four samples of wet precipitation collected on an event basis were analysed for anions, cations, pH and electrical conductivity. Precipitation in Madrid was neutral, with only 3% of samples showing pH < 5.6. Dominant ions were calcium andsulphates. Calcium was the principal neutralizing agent, explaining 64% of all nitrates and sulphates. The marine influence did not appear to be relevant, while the soil seemed to play an important role in the composition of precipitation. Precipitation chemistry displayed seasonal differences, with higher concentrations of sulphates and chloride in autumn and winter and of calcium and sodium in the summer. There was an inverse relationship between concentrations and sample volumes; while the correlation between concentrations and the time elapsedsince the last rain event was positive, though poor for normalized concentrations. Four variables (sample volume, days elapsed since the last rain event, maximum wind gust direction and season) explained to a large extent (more than 90% for some sampling stations) the variability of certain chemical variables.     

Rainfall,Stemflow, and Throughfall Chemistry at Urban- and Mountain-facing Sites at Mt. Gokurakuji,Hiroshima, Western Japan

Rainfall, stemflow, and throughfall were collected from 1996 to 1999 at two types of forest sites: (1) forests near the traffic roads and urban areas and (2) forests away from the urban areas at Mt. Gokurakuji, Hiroshima, western Japan in order to estimatethe effects of anthropogenic activities on atmospheric deposition. Rainfall deposition for major ions showed small differences between the sites. The NO₃ ^- and SO₄ ^2-concentrations in stemflow were higher at the urban-facing slope than at the mountain-facing slope. Throughfall deposition of NO₃ ^- and SO₄ ^2- was also higher at urban-facing slopes. Net throughfall (NTF) deposition (throughfall minus rainfall) of NO₃ ^- and SO₄ ^2- accounted for 77 and50% of the total throughfall deposition on urban-facing slopes, respectively, while it accounted for 44 and 23% on themountain-facing slopes, respectively. These results indicated a higher contribution from dry deposition on urban-facing slopes compared to mountain-facing slopes. Atmospheric N (NO₃ ^- +NH₄ ⁺) deposition from throughfall was estimated to be around 17–26 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 on urban-facing slopes, which was greater than the threshold of N deposition that could cause nitrogen leaching in Europe and the United States. The highload of atmospheric N deposition may be one of the factors bringing about the decline of pine forests on urban-facing slopesof Mt. Gokurakuji.     

A Study on Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Precipitation at Savar,Joydevpur, Tongi and Narayanganj,Bangladesh

Precipitation was collected on an event basis from July 1994 to August 1995 at towns around the capital Dhaka of Bangladesh. The major chemical components were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, UV-Visible spectrophotometry and ion selective electrode method. The concentrations of nitrate and sulphate were found to be below the minimum detection limit of 1.0 mg L- 1; the concentrations of Cl-, Na+, K+, Ca+2, Mg+2 and NH4+ ranged from <1.0–3.03, 0.14–1.70, 0.04–0.37, 0.04–1.30, <0.02–0.20 and <0.10–2.33 mg L-1, respectively. The values of pH and conductivity ranged from 4.80–6.74 and 3.3–37.5 μS cm-1, respectively.     

Litterfall Mercury in Two Forested Watersheds at Acadia National Park, Maine, USA

Litterfall can be an important flux of mercury (Hg) to soils in forested landscapes, yet typically the only available data to evaluate Hg deposition is from precipitation Hg monitoring. Litterfall was collected at 39 sampling sites in two small research watersheds, in 2003 and 2004, and analyzed for total Hg. Four vegetation classes were designated in this study as hardwoods, softwoods, mixed and scrub. The mean litter Hg concentration in softwoods (58.8 ± 3.3 ng Hg g^?1 was significantly greater than in mixed (41.7 ± 2.8 ng Hg g^?1 and scrub (40.6 ± 2.7 ng Hg g^?1, and significantly lower than in hardwoods (31.6 ± 2.6 ng Hg g^?1. In contrast, the mean weighted litter Hg flux was not significantly different among vegetation classes. The lack of a significant difference in litter Hg flux between hardwoods and softwoods was attributable to the large autumnal hardwood litter Hg flux being balanced by the higher softwood litter Hg concentrations, along with the higher chronic litterfall flux throughout the winter and spring in softwoods. The estimated annual deposition of Hg via litterfall in Hadlock Brook watershed (10.1 μg m^?2 and Cadillac Brook watershed (10.0 μg m^?2 was greater than precipitation Hg deposition and similar to or greater than the magnitude of Hg deposition via throughfall. These results demonstrate that litterfall Hg flux to forested landscapes can be at least as important as precipitation Hg inputs.     

The Chemical Composition of Rainfall and Throughfall in Five Forest Communities: A Case Study in Fort Benning, Georgia

In order to investigate the effects of canopy-dependent processes on throughfall chemistry, comparative studies on the chemical composition of throughfall were carried out in five characteristic forest types of the southeastern United States within Fort Benning Military Installation from January 2002 to August 2003. The concentrations and fluxes of and total organic carbon (TOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total phosphorus (TP) were determined in rainfall and throughfall. Seasonal variations in chemical fluxes were also evaluated. Throughfall concentrations of TOC, TKN, and TP in matured pine stand were higher than in rainfall and other forest stands. Throughfall nutrient concentrations in wetland were lowest as compared to rainfall as well as hardwood, mixed, plantation, and pine stands. The average TOC, TKN, and TP concentrations in the matured pine stand were 17.2, 0.74, and 0.057?mg/L, respectively. In wetland stands, average concentrations of TOC, TKN, and TP were 4.0, 0.54, and 0.034?mg/L, respectively. Hardwood stand had the lowest TKN concentration of 0.53?mg/L. Nutrient fluxes were generally higher during the dormant season (November?CApril) as compared to the growing season (May?COctober). The highest and lowest TOC fluxes during dormant season were contributed from pine stand (801.7?g/ha) and wetland stand (186.2?g/ha), respectively. Rainfall was the major contributor of TKN fluxes in growing season (32.3?g/ha) as well as in dormant season (34.1?g/ha). Similarly, highest TP flux was produced in mixed stand (2.7?g/ha) during the dormant season. Enrichment ratios of nutrients reveal that, in general, forest stands used up nutrients during growing season and washed off during the dormant season.     

广州南沙典型林地土壤理化性质的研究

研究了南沙的尾叶桉林、窿缘桉林、大叶相思林、荔枝林、木麻黄林、尾叶桉×马占相思混交林、尾叶桉×台湾相思×马尾松混交林、赤桉×台湾相思混交林和无林地的土壤理化性质。大叶相思林地肥力最高,荔枝林的肥力较低,木麻黄林地和无林地的肥力低,其余林地的肥力中等。     

Rainwater Composition and Acidity at Five Sites in Malaysia, in 1996

Rainwater chemical composition and acidity were determinedfrom weekly-averaged wet-only rainwater samples collected atfive sites in Malaysia throughout 1996. The major aim of thiswork was to assess the extent to which acid deposition, foundpreviously at one site in the Klang Valley, was a general,rather than local, phenomenon. To this end, three measurementsites were located spanning the length of the Klang Valley (anurban-industrial region of approximately 3000 km²containing the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur). A fourth sitewas located outside, but adjacent to the Klang Valley, and thefinal site was located 300 km to the southeast, in anurban/industrial region adjacent to Singapore. Annual pHvalues in the range 4.16–4.40 and estimated total depositionfluxes of acidic sulfur and nitrogen species in the range 120–350 meq m^-2 yr^-1 show all sites to be impactedsignificantly by acidic deposition. Average contributionswere 60% as sulfur species, 40% as nitrogen species. Theresults confirm that potentially significant levels of aciddeposition occur in Malaysia as a regional phenomenonassociated with urban/industrial activities.     

Effects of Wood Ash Dose and Formulation on Soil Chemistry at Two Coniferous Forest Sites

Harvesting stem biomass from the forest inevitably involves exporting nutrients from the ecosystem. The amount exported is increased when the logging residues are also removed for use as fuel. Recycling of the resulting wood ash has been advocated as a measure to compensate for the nutrient losses and to sustain future forest production. The physical formulation of the wood ash may have an important influence on its effects on soil properties. In this paper, we report effects of two different types of wood ash (one self-hardened and crushed, the other pelleted), with differences in solubility, on soil chemistry in the humus layer and upper 15 cm of the mineral soil, at two coniferous sites in south-central Sweden, 5 yr after their application. The crushed ash was applied at three doses (3, 6 and 9 ton ha^–1), while the pelleted ash was applied at only one dose (3 ton ha^–1). At both sites the soil was podzolized. The two sites differed with respect to soil conditions, despite being situated only a few kilometers apart. The application of wood ash increased both soil pH and base-cation content in the humus layer at both sites. In the mineral soil, the effects were less pronounced. Treatment effects on soil chemistry did not differ between the two ash formulations. The retention (i.e. the extractable amount of nutrients found in the soil that could be attributed to the ash application) of nutrients varied strongly between the two sites, and K retention (ca. 10%) was generally lower than that of Ca and Mg.     

乡土树种改造豆科人工纯林对植物群落和土壤微生物学和化学属性的影响

在退化的人工林中种植乡土树种是将退化人工林恢复为多样性更高的植物群落的有效措施之一,但是此类林分改造对土壤属性的影响研究较少。以南亚热带退化的豆科树种人工林以及在退化的豆科树种人工林中种植乡土树种10 a后的混交人工林为研究对象,比较两者植物群落结构、土壤微生物学属性和化学属性的差异,旨在为该区域退化人工林改造提供依据。结果表明,种植乡土树种后的林分具有较高的植物多样性。与未种植乡土树种的马占相思（Acacia mangium;AM）林相比,种植乡土树种后的马占相思林（NM）土壤微生物量碳（MBC）、基础呼吸（BR）、呼吸熵（q_CO2）、土壤有机碳（TOC）和可溶性有机碳（DOC）显著下降;与未种植乡土树种的大叶相思（Acacia auriculiformis;AA）林相比,种植乡土树种的大叶相思林（NA）的土壤微生物学属性和化学属性无明显变化。种植乡土树种后,马占相思林和大叶相思林全氮（TN）和全磷（TP）无明显变化,但铵态氮和硝态氮均下降。这些结果表明,在退化的人工林中种植乡土树种对土壤微生物学和化学属性的影响取决于人工林类型,这一措施对土壤属性的影响仍需长期监测。     

Long-Term Trends in the Chemical Composition of Precipitation over Western Japan

Wet deposition monitoring was conducted at six rural stations in western Japan, during the period from 1987 through 1996. Long-term trends in the concentration of non-sea salt ions were analyzed on the basis of the data obtained. The monitoring results indicated that annual average concentrations of NO₃ ^? and NH₄ ⁺ in precipitation significantly increased on the order of 45%, and that of nss-Ca²⁺ and nss-SO₄ ^2?, concentrations did not change over the past 10 years. The ratio of NO₃ ^?/nss-SO₄ ^2? in precipitation significantly increased, the ratio of NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ showed no marked fluctuations, and the ratio of [nss-Ca²⁺+NH₄ ⁺]/[nss-SO₄ ^2?+NO₃ ^?] slightly increased during the period. These findings suggested that the wet deposition of NO₃ ^? and NH₄ ⁺ in western Japan, particularly that in the winter season, was influenced by the long-range transport of nitrogen oxides and ammonia from the Asian continent.     

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.     

Trends in Soil Water Composition at a Heavily Polluted Site - Effects of Decreased S-Deposition and Variations in Precipitation

Precipitation, soils and soil water in a forested catchment in western Poland have been studied during the period 1992 – 96 (see also Vogt et al., this conf.). The S-deposition in the area during the study period was 2 – 3g S m^?2 yr^?1. In spite of decreasing anthropogenic emissions the S-deposition in the area did not change much during the study period mainly because the first years were exceptionally dry. However, the S-deposition was considerably higher during the previous decade. Based on soil water sulphate concentration, pH, acid neutralising capacity and the ratio of Al³⁺/(Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺), there is apparently an amelioration in the conditions. A study using inter alia principal component analysis, indicates that this improvement is mainly due to more precipitation in the later part of the study period. Variations in precipitation amount have a pronounced effect on the soil-water chemistry, which makes it difficult to establish trends caused by changes in anthropogenic deposition. Long time series are therefore necessary to establish recovery due to reduced S-emissions.     

Effects of Two Organic Wastes in Combination with Phosphorus on Growth and Chemical Composition of Spinach and Soil Properties

Abstract

Most agricultural soils in Iran are usually low in organic matter (OM). Therefore, increasing OM in these soils is of great concern. Environmental pollution caused by chemical fertilizers has created an interest in the integrated use of organic wastes with inorganic fertilizers. The main purpose of this greenhouse study was to evaluate the impact of two organic wastes and phosphorus (P) on the growth, and elemental composition of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and soil chemical properties. Treatments consisted of four levels of municipal waste compost, MWC (0, 1, 2, and 4%), five rates of poultry manure, PM (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4%), and three P levels (0, 25, and 50 mg kg^?1 as KH₂PO₄). Application of P and MWC alone or in combination significantly increased the top dry weight of spinach. However, spinach growth was markedly increased up to 3% PM and suppressed with the higher rate, probably due to an excess of soluble salts in the soil. Moreover, the enhancing influence of P on spinach seedling growth was more pronounced at lower levels of MWC and PM. Plant P concentration tended to increase with increasing P, MWC, and PM application rates, whereas nitrogen (N) concentration was only affected by the two organic wastes treatment. Manganese (Mn) concentrations decreased, and copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) increased by soil P application. However, P addition significantly decreased zinc (Zn) concentration only in MWC-treated spinach. Spinach plants enriched with either of the two biosolids accumulated more Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, chloride (Cl), and sodium (Na) than control plants. Furthermore, spinach grown on MWC-amended soil contained higher Mn, Zn, Cu, and Pb and lower N, Cl, and Na than those raised on PM-treated soil. Postharvest soil sampling indicated that application of the two biosolids significantly increased concentration of soluble salts, (EC_e), OM, TN, NaHCO₃-extractable P, and DTPA-extractable iron (Fe), Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd.     

Chemical Composition and Acidity of Precipitation: A Monitoring Program in Northeastern Vietnam

Rainwater has been sampled weekly from five sites (nos. 1–5) in northeastern Vietnam in the period of May 1997 to Apr. 2000 (except Hoabinh site, from Aug. 1999 to Apr. 2000). Since Aug. 1999, weekly dry deposition samples including acidic gas and aerosol have been additionally collected at Hanoi (no. 4) and Hoabinh (no. 5) using filter pack system. In general, the pH in rainwater was frequently higher than 5.0. However, the trend of lower pH was observed during the winter and the beginning of autumn (from Nov. to Apr.). Interestingly, the highest frequency of the acidifying rainwater (32 %) and the lowest pH value (min. pH = 4.0) were observed in Hoabinh site. Acidic pH of rain water was also observed in Viettri (no. 3) and Hanoi (no. 4), indicating the local effects of human and industrial activities. Ca²⁺ and SO₄ ^2? were generally found as predominant in both rainwater and aerosol. SO₂ and NH₃ in Hanoi and Hoabinh were monitored out of corresponding environmental features.     

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.