Morphological and Physiological Damage by Surfactant-Polluted Seaspray on Pinus pinea and Pinus halepensis

This paper reports morphological and physiological damage caused by polluted seaspray to coastal pine forests in Liguria (Northern Italy) and suggests the most reliable parameters for surfactant-pollution biomonitoring. Concentrations of surfactants in surface seawater, seaspray, and that deposited on Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinea needles were determined in samples from five sites. Decline of the pines in the Western part of Liguria was greater than in the East, and was associated with higher surfactant levels deposited on the crowns. Chloride content of needles was higher in damaged pines, even if it did not reach toxic levels. Stomata micromorphologies did not differ between species in the crown parts facing the sea, while differences were significant in the back crown parts that were not directly exposed to polluted sea breezes. Water content and noon water potential indicated interference in water relations of damaged trees. In conclusion, none of the investigated parameters was by itself a comprehensive index of surfactant damage. A simultaneous survey of several parameters is suggested to investigate the impact of surfactants on coastal vegetation. The most useful parameters were: directionality of crown damage, surfactant depositions on the needles, chloride accumulation in the needles, structural injury to epistomatal chambers, needle water content and potential.     

Detection of sulphur dioxide in the air using Scotch pine needles

Air quality is especially important in surface layers, for it is this layer that provides the living components of environment with the needed oxygen and carbon dioxide. Various air polluting gases penetrate cells affecting and contaminating them. Chloroplast shell of some pine species, for instance, doubles under the impact of carbon dioxide which is followed by tillacoids swelling and reduction.Literature provides opinions of some authors, who consider Scotch pine needle to be a biological indicator of sulphur dioxide. Others object to it basing on the observations of physiological development.The property of a Scotch pine as that of biological indicator manifests in SO₂ absorption by its needles. The analysis of total content of SO₂ in the needles shows an increase of SO₂ concentration.Sulphur in the needles is found in the form of organically bound sulphur, aminoacids, hormones as well as in the form of sulphates.Basing on our previous analysis we have generalized the data on the correlation concentrations of sulphur dioxide in the air and general concentrations of sulphur in the needles. We have supplemented the observations with the analyses of organically bound sulphur and concentrations of nonorganic sulphur. According to research data, needles contain a characteristic and rather stable quantity of organically bound sulphur.So we may state that the SO _inf4 ^sup2– concentration and the amount of SO₂ absorbed from the air are interdependent.Some authors state that SO _inf4 ^sup2– content in the soil doesn't affect sulphur content in pine needles. That is why we studied the affect of SO _inf4 ^sup2– content in the soil on sulphur content in Scotch pine needles.We could prove this statement by means of various kinds of analyses only partially. The ion transport is affected by the presence of other ions, pH and a lot of other factors.What may be said for sure is that different qualities of soils gave only minor and insignificant deviations.Hence our assumption about the SO₂ contamination from air, proved by its effect on the soils, turns to suit approximate measurements.     

A comparison of the growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in a reclaimed oil shale post-mining area and in a Calluna site in Estonia

The growth of Scots pine and its suitability for afforestation of post-mining landscapes in Northeast Estonia were assessed in comparative analytical studies by using morphological parameters and mineral nutrition characteristics. The growth and nutrient uptake of Scots pine growing on post-mining substrate were compared with the characteristics of pines of the same age (22–23 years) in a Calluna forest site type predominant in North Estonia in similar climatic zone. Results of the analyses of soil upper layers showed that the concentration of N and P in soil did not differ between the opencast spoil and Calluna site, but significantly higher pH of soil and concentrations of K, Ca, and Mg were found in mine spoil. The concentrations of K and Mg in needles were significantly higher in the post-mining area, but the concentrations of N, P, and Ca did not differ significantly. Comparison of the needle nutrient concentration with the standard for optimum concentrations revealed P deficit in the post-mining area and P and K deficit in the Calluna site. Scots pine formed longer and thinner needles and shoots in the post-mining substrate than in the Calluna site. It was assumed that in the post-mining area the growth of pines is predominantly dependent on K and Ca concentrations in their tissues as the biomass of needles was strongly correlated with the K/Ca ratio, whereas the biomass in the Calluna site was correlated with the N/P ratio. The height and diameter of trees were significantly larger in the post-mining area.     

Trichloroacetic Acid as Additional Factor Contributing to Desertification in Southern Africa

There has been an accelerated expansion of deserts in the past five decades. Recent data reveal that the atmogenically formed organic compound, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a contributory factor in addition to anthropogenic and natural sources. The aim of this study was to use TCA as an indicator for the possible occurrence of C₂-chloroacetic acids; to assess the burden on the vegetation by using pine needles as a bio-indicator system and to deliberate on the possible role of TCA in the dynamics of the vegetation in southern Africa. Field experiments conducted on pine trees and on C₃ and C₄ crop plants under controlled laboratory conditions, have revealed that plants could be influenced positively or negatively by TCA. To obtain an integrated assessment of the pollution emission over a time span of at least one year, two-year-old pine needles of different Pinus species were used as a bio-indicator for TCA pollution at different measuring sites. The data of our investigation clearly indicate that areas exist in South Africa where the vegetation is burdened by ecotoxicologically relevant TCA contents comparable to those in central Europe and southern Russia where TCA was shown to play a role in the destabilisation of the steppe vegetation.     

Forest biomonitoring of the largest Slovene thermal power plant with respect to reduction of air pollution

The condition of the forest ecosystem in the vicinity of the largest Slovene power plant [the ?o?tanj Thermal Power Plant (?TPP)] was monitored during the period 1991–2008 by determining the total concentration of sulphur, ascorbic acid and chlorophyll in Norway spruce needles. After 1995, the introduction of cleaning devices at the ?TPP dramatically reduced the former extremely high SO₂ and dust emissions. The most significant findings of this comprehensive, long-duration survey are as follows: (1) the chosen parameters are suitable bioindicators of stress caused by air pollution in Norway spruce needles; they reflect both spatial and temporal variations in air pollution as well as the degree of efficiency of the cleaning devices; (2) observations show that the physiological condition of Norway spruce in northern Slovenia has significantly improved since 1995, when the first desulphurization device at ?TPP was built, together with a reduction in the area influenced by pollution from ?TPP; (3) metabolic processes in spruce needles react to air pollution according to the severity of the pollution and the length of exposure; exposure to high SO₂ ambient levels and/or spread over a long duration can damage the antioxidant defence mechanisms of spruce trees as well as diminishing the concentration of ascorbic acid; (4) a reduction in the exposure to air pollution improves the vitality of the trees (e.g. higher concentrations of total (a?+?b) chlorophyll), as well as restoring their defence capabilities as shown by higher concentrations of ascorbic acid; and (5) forest monitoring should be continued and focused on integrating the effects of multiple stressors, which can additionally affect a forest ecosystem.     

Assessment of Ambient Air Quality in Urban Centres of Haryana (India) in Relation to Different Anthropogenic Activities and Health Risks

Considering the mounting evidences of the effects of air pollution on health, the present study was undertaken to assess the ambient air quality status in the fast growing urban centres of Haryana state, India. The samples were collected for total suspended particulate matter (TSPM), respirable suspended particulate matter (PM₁₀), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and oxides of nitrogen (NO₂) during different seasons from 8 districts of Haryana during January, 1999 to September, 2000. The four types of sampling sites with different anthropogenic activities i.e. residential, sensitive, commercial and industrial were identified in each city. The ambient air concentration of TSPM and PM₁₀ observed was well above the prescribed standards at almost all the sites. The average ambient air concentrations of SO₂ and NO₂ were found below the permissible limits at all the centres. Comparatively higher concentration of SO₂ was observed during winter seasons, which seems to be related with the enhanced combustion of fuel for space heating and relatively stable atmospheric conditions. Air Quality Index (AQI) prepared for these cities shows that residential, sensitive and commercial areas were moderately to severely polluted which is a cause of concern for the residents of these cities. The high levels of TSPM and SO₂ especially in winter are of major health concern because of their synergistic action. The data from Hisar city reveals a significant increase in the total number of hospital visits/admissions of the patients with acute respiratory diseases during winter season when the level of air pollutants was high.     

川南6市空气中SO2和NO2空间分布特征

利用简单、方便、不用电源的被动采样技术分别对川南地区6市区域范围内空气中SO2和NO2在雨季和旱季的空间分布特征进行研究。按16 km×16 km的均匀网格布设点位162个,并在雨季于6市各选1个空气自动站布设城区点位采集空气中SO2和NO2。获得的样品经0.3%的双氧水浸提后采用离子色谱法进行分析,经换算后获得空气中SO2和NO2的浓度,了解了其含量水平,绘制了SO2和NO2的空间分布图,掌握了其空间分布特征,并对可能的来源进行了浅析。将被动采样监测结果与自动站监测结果进行相关分析,两者高度线性相关,NO2和SO2线性相关系数分别为0.901 3和0.874 5,均大于r0.05(4)=0.811 4。     

2001—2018年浙江省酸雨变化特征及影响因素分析

利用2001—2018年浙江省32个城市酸雨观测资料,结合数理统计和GIS空间插值,分析了全省降水酸度变化、化学组分特征及其影响因素。研究结果表明,以2009年为拐点,浙江省酸雨污染呈先加重后减轻的趋势,降水酸度和酸雨率均得到显著改善。2009年后,轻酸雨城市的比例不断上升。至2018年,全省大部分城市均处于轻酸雨区,并有部分非酸雨城市出现。降水中的硫酸根离子浓度呈显著下降趋势,硝酸根离子浓度呈波动变化,但变化不显著。硫酸根离子与硝酸根离子的当量浓度比值呈显著下降趋势,由2002年的3.48降至2018年的1.35,酸雨类型由硫酸主导型向复合型转变。二氧化氮、硝酸根离子和可吸入颗粒物是影响降水pH的主要因素,氮氧化物对浙江省降水酸度的影响不断增大。因此,在加强区域硫氮协同控制的同时,着力加强氮氧化物深度减排是进一步改善浙江省酸雨状况的关键。     

A Comparison of Biomonitoring Methods for the Estimation of Atmospheric Pollutants in an Industrial Town in Austria

In the period between 1999 and 2000 epiphytic bryophytes were taken as bioindicators for air pollution by use of the IAP method (Index of Atmospheric Purity) and the VDI method within the Association of Engineers standards list (adapted from guideline 3799, 1995) in the heavy industrialized town of Linz, Austria. 52 study sites (265 trees) were analysed regarding species richness, coverage, and vitality. Q-values (sensitivity factors), calculated for each species showed significant differences for the various host tree species. The results gained by the IAP and the VDI methods were diverse, regarding the various sites where only 25% were classified identical. These differences can mainly be attributed to the differing host tree species and the size of the recording area on the various trees. Clusters of similar pollution levels were calculated and drawn as maps for both methods tested. Comparing the results of the IAP and the VDI methods with data derived from technical measurements (SO₂, NO, NO₂, and dust) a correlation between IAP-indices and SO₂ concentrations could be observed. No correlation was detected between the results derived from VDI recording and for NO, NO₂, and dust.     

大同市大气颗粒物浓度与水溶性离子季度分布特征

为研究大同市大气颗粒物质量浓度与水溶性离子组成特征,于2013年2、7、9、12月,分别对大同市及其对照点庞泉沟国家大气背景点进行了PM2.5及PM10的采样,通过超声萃取-IC法测定了样品中的9种水溶性离子,结果表明,大同市大气颗粒物污染1、4季度重于2、3季度,PM2.5季度均值全年均未超标,PM10仅第1季度超标1.4倍,污染状况总体良好,PM2.5与PM10相关系数R为0.75,说明大同市颗粒物污染有较为相近的来源,且不同季节均以粗颗粒物为主;大同市PM2.5中水溶性离子浓度分布为SO2-4、NO-3、NH+4Cl-、Ca2+K+、Na+F-、Mg2+,PM10中Ca2+浓度仅次于SO2-4、NO-3,控制扬尘将有效降低PM10的浓度;PM2.5及PM10中的9种水溶性离子在不同季度的浓度与颗粒物浓度分布规律类似,1、4季度较高,2、3季度较低;由阴阳离子平衡计算结果可知,相关性方程的斜率K为1.045,表明大同市大气颗粒物中阳离子相对亏损,大气细粒子组分偏酸性。NO-3与SO2-4浓度比值均小于1,大同市以硫酸型污染为主,大气中的SO2-4主要来源于人类活动排放。     

The effect of metals and ammonia on SO2 oxidation to sulphates in the ambient air

The effect of metals and ammonia on the relationship between mass concentrations of sulphur dioxide and sulphate in the air was studied near an aluminium plant over a 1-year period. Sulphur dioxide, sulphates and ammonia in the air as well as metals (Pb, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd and Al) in the deposit were measured at four measuring sites.The levels of mass concentrations of SO₂ were low at all measuring sites while the levels of mass concentrations of sulphates in the air and concentrations of metals in the deposit were high. The levels of ammonia were found to decrease in relationship to the distance from the source of pollution.The relationship between the mass concentrations of sulphate and SO₂ can be described by the equation y=ax ^b ;where y is the percentage of sulphate sulphur in the total sulphur (sulphate and SO₂) and x is the mass concentration of the total sulphur in the air. The values of the coefficients a and b are characteristic of individual areas.As the results show the coefficients a and b obtained at a measuring site close to the plant and outside the urban area are characteristic of an industrial area. At control sites in the urban area the coefficients are characteristic of an urban area. At the measuring site close to the industrial zone and the centre of the urban area the interaction of the effects occurs. Therefore, the coefficient a is characteristic of an urban area and b of an industrial one.     

Higher Plants As Bioindicators Of Sulphur Dioxide Emissions In Urban Environments

The evaluation of certain vascular plants that grow in the city of Madrid as biomonitors of SO₂ air pollution in urban environments has been carried out. Total concentration of sulphur in leaves of the chosen higher plants as well as other parameters in close relation to this contaminant (visible injury symptoms, chlorophyll a- and b-content and peroxidase activity) have been determined in order to study the spatial distribution and temporal changes in SO₂ deposition. Results obtained show that coniferous species such as Pinus pinea, were more sensitive to SO₂ atmospheric concentration than leafy species as Quercux ilex subspecies ballota and, in the same way, bush species, such asPyracantha coccinea and Nerium oleander, were more sensitive than wooded species, such as Cedrus deodaraandPinus pinea, respectively. There is a higher accumulation of sulphur in vegetable species located near highways and dense traffic incidence roads and near areas with high density of population. The minimum values for accumulation of SO₂ were registered in winter and spring seasons (from January to April) due to the vegetative stop; while maximum values are obtained during the summer season (from June to September), due to the stoma opening. The highest increments in sulphur concentration, calculated as the difference between two consecutive months, are obtained in May and June for all considered species except forCedrus deodara and Pyracantha coccinea, both species have few seasonal changes during the whole year. Some species are more sensitive to natural washing than others, showing a decrease in sulphur concentration after rainfall periods.     

An assessment of air quality in Karachi,Pakistan

An atmospheric pollution survey was carried out at 13 sites in Karachi, Pakistan, simultaneously from 0600 h to 2100 h for 15 consecutive days in May 1990 which also included meteorological measurements. The monitoring sites were included along the prevailing wind patterns in Karachi. Carbon monoxide levels in the ambient air were found to reach 9–10 ppm along the busy urban streets whereas CO₂ level exceeded 370 ppm in these areas. Our survey indicates that NO₂ levels were exceeding U.S. ambient air quality standards. Maxmum NO₂ concentrations were observed (0.3–0.5 ppm) during the daytime from 0600 h to 2100 h. The surface ozone maximum around noon at the inland sites reached the levels of 40 ppb and 50 ppb respectively compared to upwind coastal Sites 1 level of 25 ppb. The Pb concentrations were approximately 3- to 7-fold higher than average, which corresponded well to urban air. Fossil fuel SO₄ (excess) and NO₃ were apportionally based on the assumption that these two anions were present as (NH₄)₂SO₄, and NH₄NO₃ in the aerosols. In the eastern part of the city atmospheric sulphate (SO₄) shows the combustion of coal as its source from the vicinity and downwind of a steel manufacturing plant.     

Chemical Characteristics of Rain Water at an Urban Site of South Western Turkey

In this study, chemical composition of the rain water in Mugla was investigated from February to April 2002. Rain water samples were obtained from Mugla, a small city in south western Turkey. The Yatagan Power Plant is located 30 km northwest of Mugla city. The values of pH and the concentrations of major ions (Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, SO₄ ²⁻, NO₃ ⁻, NH₄ ⁺) in the rainwater samples were analyzed. The pH varied from 4.5 to 7.7 with an average of 6.9 which was in alkaline range considering 5.6 as the neutral pH of cloud water with atmospheric CO₂ equilibrium. In the total 30 rain events, only two events were observed in acidic range (< 5.6) which occurred after continuous rains. The equivalent concentration of components followed the order: Ca²⁺ > SO₄ ²⁻ > NH₄ ⁺ > NO₃ ⁻ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > H⁺. The volume-weighted mean (VWM) of the measured ionic sum is 371.62 μeq/l. The ratio of between sum cations and sum anions (∑cations /∑ anions) is 1.52 μeq/l. The alkaline components (Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) contribute 52%, NH₄ ⁺ 8%, whereas, the contribution from the acidic components is relatively small (40%). The low concentrations of H⁺ found in rainwater samples from Mugla suggest that an important portion of H₂SO₄ and HNO₃ have been neutralized by alkaline particles in the atmosphere. The dust-rich local and surrounding limestone environment might have caused the high concentration of Ca²⁺ in Mugla area. The relatively high concentration of NH₄ ⁺ observed at Mugla is suspected to be due to surrounding agricultural. The results obtained in this study are compared with those other studies conducted at various places in the world.     

Variation in spatial pattern of criteria air pollutants before and during initial rain of monsoon

Spatial patterns of various criteria air pollutants,like SO₂, NO₂, O₃, and TSP were studied atShahdara National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring stationin Delhi (India) in July 1999. The minimum pollutantconcentrations were observed during morning hours,whereas the highest concentrations were found during thelate night hours, which seem to be related with thevehicular emission. Pre-monsoon daily ambient airquality spatial pattern was compared with the spatialpattern during initial and subsequent rain shower ofmonsoon. These spatial patterns were found to beessentially the same before and during rain, however asignificant decrease in SO₂, NO₂ and TSPconcentrations (40-45%) was observed after initial andsubsequent rains of the monsoon, demonstrating theimportance of rainfall in the scavenging of thesecriteria air pollutants.     

台州市酸雨污染现状及其对策分析

通过对近十年来的酸雨监测资料的收集分析,结合同期台州市大气环境中二氧化硫和氮氧化物的监测数据,采用秩相关系数法,对酸雨污染趋势和成因进行分析和讨论,并提出针对性措施,以期为台州市以及类似地区的大气污染、酸雨污染等防治工作提供政策参考。     

2010—2019年台州市市区降水化学组成特征及变化趋势

为了解台州市市区大气降水化学成分组成特征及变化规律,对2010—2019年台州市市区降水监测数据进行了统计分析。结果表明:2010—2019年降水样品pH为4.20～4.84夏高冬低,强酸性降水频率下降显著,电导率平均值为3.16 mS/cm。SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-是降水中最主要的阴离子,NH_4~+和Ca~(2+)是降水中最主要的阳离子。Ca~(2+)浓度在2018年开始有所抬升,SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-浓度整体呈波动下降趋势。SO_4~(2-)与NO_3~-浓度比均值为1.50,呈下降趋势,同大气中SO_2与NO_2的质量浓度比变化趋势基本一致。SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-相关性显著,Cl~-、Na~+及Mg~(2+)三者之间具有较好相关性。降水与气态污染物相关性不大,对颗粒物有明显冲刷去除作用。SO_2和NO_x的排放量显著下降,酸雨污染呈现改善过程。     

Investigating the impacts of some meteorological parameters on air pollution in Balikesir, Turkey

Air pollution is one of the most important environmental problems in Balikesir, situated in the western part of Turkey, during the winter periods. The unfavorable climate as well as the city’s topography, and inappropriate fuel usage cause serious air pollution problems. The air pollutant concentrations in the city have a close relationship with meteorological parameters. In the present study, the relationship between daily average total suspended particulate (TSP) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) concentrations measured between 1999–2005 winter seasons were correlated with meteorological factors, such as wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and pressure. This statistical analysis was achieved using the stepwise multiple linear regression method. According to the results obtained through the analysis, higher TSP and SO₂ concentrations are strongly related to colder temperatures, lower wind speed, higher atmospheric pressure and higher relative humidity. The statistical models of SO₂ and TSP gave correlation coefficient values (R ²) of 0.735 and 0.656, respectively.     

Concentrations of sulphur and heavy metals in needles and rooting soils of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) trees growing along an urban–rural gradient in Guangzhou, China

Current (C) and previous year (C + 1) needles and soils (organic horizon, 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm mineral depth) of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) trees were sampled at four forested sites (Huang Pu industrial district, HP; South China Botanical Garden, BG; Mao Feng Mt., MF; and Nan Kun Mt., NK) in Guangzhou along a urban-rural gradient and analyzed for sulfur (S) and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Cr and Pb) concentrations. Needle concentrations of all the elements were significantly higher at industrial HP than at other three sites, except for Cu and Pb which were highest at the traffic site (BG). The C + 1 needles generally had higher Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr than the C needles while the opposite was for Ni and S. Total and available Cd, Pb, Zn in soils peaked at the urban sites (HP and BG) and decreased at suburban MF and rural NK. Heavy metals were generally higher in the organic soils than in the mineral soils at all sites. Zinc and Pb at all sites, and Cd, S and Cu at the urban sites (HP and BG) in soils or pine needles were above or near their respective natural background levels, implying that threats resulted from these toxic elements occurred on local particularly urban forests, but did not for Cr and Ni due to their presence below their background values. Our results demonstrated that elements concentrations in needles and soils had reflected the variability of pollutants and the environmental quality change along the urban-rural transect, and were efficient as biomonitors to assess the influence of anthropogenic activities along the urbanization course on forest health.     

基于AGNES算法优化BP神经网络和GIS系统的大气污染物浓度预测

建立了大气污染物浓度与影响因子之间的BP神经网络,对城市中各监测点位的次日大气污染物浓度进行预测,采用GIS的插值分析进行污染物空间分布预测,其中BP神经网络的输入向量采用AGNES算法进行处理。以太原市区SO2、PM10浓度预测为例,选择气温、湿度、降水量、大气压强、风速和前5天的污染物浓度等10个参数训练BP神经网络,结果表明,BP神经网络的训练效果较好,预测结果与实际浓度显著相关,R2分别为0.988、0.976;结合太原市8个监测点位的污染物浓度预测值,运用GIS空间差值法绘出SO2、PM10的浓度分布预测图,该图与实际情况大体符合,并且与国控大气污染企业的分布显著相关,Pearson相关系数分别为0.969、0.949。