An open-top chamber study with filtered and non-filtered air to evaluate the effects of air pollutants on crops

Four non-filtered and four charcoal-filtered open-top chambers were employed to determine the effects of ambient levels of gaseous air pollutants at Braunschweig, FRG, on growth and yield of potted plants of winter and spring barley. During the exposure period (November 1985-August 1986) monthly mean values of gaseous air pollutants (microg m(-3)) ranged between 34 and 127 for SO(2), 34 and 52 for NO(2) and 12 and 33 for O(3) in winter (November-March), and 16 to 26 for SO(2), 20 to 33 for NO(2) and 42 to 53 for O(3) in spring-summer (April-August). Monthly 2% percentile values for these gases reached (microg m (-3)) 561 for SO(2), 140 for NO(2) and 170 for O(3). The filtering efficiencies of the charcoal filters used averaged 60% for SO(2), 50% for NO(2) and 70% for O(3). All plants of winter barley from the unchambered plot were killed by severe frost periods in winter, 1986. Little frost damage occurred on plants grown in the chambers. Air filtration resulted in higher numbers of plants of winter barley per pot, i.e. a higher number of individuals per area, and a higher dry weight of whole plants and ears compared to the non-filtered atmosphere. In the experiments with spring barley, fresh and dry weight of whole plants were lower and dry weight of leaves were higher in the filtered open-top chambers. These effects could not be observed at all harvests which were carried out during the growing season. Grain yield and sulphur content of the leaves of both barley cultivars were not affected by the air filtration. Production of biomass of spring barley grown in ambient air was higher than of that grown in open-top chambers.     

The impact of SO2 and SO2 + ascorbic acid treatments on growth and partitioning of dry matter in Trigonella foenum-graecum L

To study the impact of SO(2) and SO(2) + ascorbic acid on growth and partitioning of dry matter in Trigonella foenum-graecum L., two-week-old plants were exposed to SO(2) for 2 h daily over a 42 day period. One of the exposed sets was treated with ascorbic acid. Plants were grown in a wire house and unexposed plants were used as controls for comparison. The parameters measured, such as dry weights of leaf, stem and root per plant, were found to be lower in the exposed sets than in the controls. The reductions were greater in dry weights of stem and root as compared with weights of leaves, indicating that the partitioning of the dry matter was altered. Greater amounts of soluble sugars and starch in the leaves of exposed plants, compared with the stem, also revealed that translocation was hampered. Reductions were greater in fruiting than in flowering, suggesting that fruit abortion was high. Although ascorbic acid treatment could mitigate the effect of SO(2), the differences were not found to be statistically significant. Significant changes were seen in fruit yield, suggesting that the effect of ascorbic acid is cumulative. The impact of SO(2) and SO(2) + ascorbic acid on partitioning of dry matter to different 'sinks' is discussed.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide pollution on the growth of three fern species

The effects of exposing plants of Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott, Phyllitis scolopendrium (L.) Newman and Polypodium vulgare L. to 60 nl litre(-1) (122 microg m(-3)) NO(2) for 37 weeks were investigated in a closed chamber fumigation system. There was no effect of NO(2) on the numbers of fronds produced for any species at any time during the exposure period. However, at the end of the study, there was a lower dry weight yield of green shoots of D. filix-mas and P. scolopendrium and a higher yield of green shoots of P. vulgare for plants in the NO(2) treatment as compared to control plants. These differences in shoot dry weights were not accompanied by an effect of NO(2) exposure on total plant dry weights.     

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition on the east coast of Spain: relevance of dry deposition in semi-arid Mediterranean regions

Bulk deposition composition and pine branch washing were measured from April 1999 to March 2000 on the east coast of Spain. The main objective was to characterise N deposition patterns with special emphasis on dry deposition. Bulk deposition in the region is dominated by neutralisation processes by Ca2+ and HCO3-, ClNa of marine origin and a high correlation between NO3- and SO4(2-). SO4(2-) concentrations show a decrease with respect to previous studies in the region in agreement with generalized sulfur emission decreases while the remaining ions, including NO3-, are higher due to their general increase as well as to the inclusion of dry deposition in bulk collectors in the present study. An enrichment in NO3- has been observed in dry deposition composition branch washing) with respect to bulk deposition, while an impoverishment has been observed in the case of NH4+. Annual bulk deposition varies between 7.22-3.1 and 3.5-1.8 Kg ha(-1) year(-1) for S- SO4(2-) and N- NO3-, respectively. N total deposition goes from 9.78 to 6.8 Kg ha(-1) year(-1) at most stations, with the lowest deposition at the control station and Alcoi. The relative dry deposition with respect to the total was over 40% at most stations, going up to 75% at the southern station. N-deposition is expected to be higher considering that N-NH4+ deposition has been underestimated in this study.     

Preliminary data from the USEPA dry deposition network: 1989

The objective of the National Dry Deposition Network is to determine patterns and trends of dry deposition for various sulfur and nitrogen species at roughly 50 locations throughout the continental USA. Each site is equipped for collection of continuous meteorological and ozone data and weekly average concentrations of SO4(2-), NO3-, SO2 and HNO3, using a three-stage filter pack. Results from 40 eastern US sites operational throughout 1989 show species-dependent variability from site to site, season to season, and day to night. Annual average concentrations of atmospheric SO4(2-), NO3-, SO2 and HNO3 ranged from 2.7 to 7.9, 0.2 to 3.9, 2.4 to 23.2 and 0.7 to 3.6 microg/m(-3), respectively. Seasonal variability was considerable for all constituents. Day/night data indicate that SO2 and HNO3, but not SO4(2-) and NO3-, are typically found at moderately to substantially lower concentrations at night, especially during spring and summer. Estimated dry deposition for SO2 and HNO3 appear to be much greater than for SO4(2-) and NO3-, respectively. Comparison of measured wet deposition and estimated dry deposition at numerous sites suggests that the two are similar in magnitude over much of the eastern USA.     

Effects of air filtration at small SO2 and NO2 concentrations on the yield of barley

Two cultivars of Igri and Gerbel winter barley Horteum vulgare L. were grown in open-top chambers in filtered and unfiltered air at a site with approximately 10 nl litre(-1) SO2 and 12 nl litre(-1) NO2 (seasonal mean). The experiment ran for three consecutive seasons 1982-1983, 1983-1984, 1984-1985, and significant effects of filtration were observed for each crop. In years 1982-1983 and 1984-1985, the crops in unfiltered air yielded larger grain dry matter, 9% in 1982-1983, and 8% in 1984-1985. For both crops, the differences were statistically significant at the 5% level. Differences were also observed for the remaining above-ground dry matter, and these were consistent in direction in each year but statistically significant only in 1984-1985. In both growing seasons (1982-1983 and 1984-1985), there were no major pest infestations and no long-term water stress or photochemical ozone episodes. In the remaining experiment (1983-1984) similar air concentrations of SO2 and NO2 produced effects of the opposite sign to those observed in 1982-1983 and 1984-1985. Significant reductions in grain yield (13%) were obtained in unfiltered air. The only major environmental difference for the 1983-1984 crop was a notable dry period in May and June 1984 with marked water stress in the crop, requiring irrigation. These results suggest that the relationship between yield and pollutant concentration may be confounded by additional stresses, many of which are a common component of the growing season for major crops.     

Nitrilotriacetate- and citric acid-assisted phytoextraction of cadmium by Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj, Brassicaceae)

In a pot experiment the effects of nitrilotriacetate (NTA) and citric acid applications on Cd extractibility from soil as well as on its uptake and accumulation by Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) were investigated. Plants were grown in a sandy soil with added CdS at four levels ranging from 50 to 200 mg Cd kg(-1) soil. After 30 days of growth, pots were amended with NTA or citric acid at 10 and 20 mmol kg(-1). Control pots were not treated with chelates. Harvest of plants was performed immediately before and one week after chelate addition. Soil water-, NH(4)NO(3)- and EDTA-extractable Cd fractions increased constantly with both increasing soil metal application and chelate concentration. Shoot dry weights did not suffer significant reductions with increasing Cd addition to the soil except for both NTA treatments in which at 200 mg Cd kg(-1) a 30% decrease in dry matter was observed. Generally, following NTA and citric acid amendments, Cd concentration in shoots increased with soil Cd level. However, due to Cd toxicity, at the highest metal application rate both NTA treatments lowered Cd concentration in the above-ground parts. Compared to the control, at 10 mmol kg(-1) citric acid did not change Cd concentration in shoots, whereas NTA-treated plants showed an about 2-fold increase. The addition of chelates at 20 mmol kg(-1) further enhanced Cd concentration in shoots up to 718 and 560 microg g(-1) dry weight in the NTA and citrate treatments, respectively.     

Effects of salinity and ozone,individually and in combination,on the growth and ion contents of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ozone and salinity, singly and in combination, on the growth and ion contents of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties. Chickpea plants were grown in non-saline and saline conditions, with and without a repeated exposure to ozone. Salinity at a concentration of 30 mM NaCl caused a substantial reduction in plant height, number of leaves and the dry weights of the leaves, stems and roots. Biomass allocation to the leaves increased, predominantly at the expense of the roots. Ozone at a concentration of 85 nmol mol(-1) for 6 h per day for 25 days reduced plant height and dry weights but had no effect on leaf number. The results show substantial effects of salinity and ozone on chickpea growth and ion concentrations. When ozonated plants are grown in the presence of salinity, further reductions in growth occur.     

Dry deposition, ionic species measured and source interpretation during seasonal cycle at offshore areas near Taiwan Strait

The characterization for water-soluble species of total suspended particulate (TSP), dry deposition flux, and dry deposition velocity (V(d)) were studied at Taichung Harbor (TH) and Wuchi traffic sampling sites at offshore sampling site near Taiwan Strait of central Taiwan during March 2004-January 2005. The average concentrations of TSP and dry deposition flux at the TH sampling site were higher than at the WT sampling site during the sampling period. The samples collected were analyzed by a ion chromatography (DIONEX-100) for the ionic species (Cl(-), SO(4)(2-), NO(3)(-), NH(4)(+), Na(+), Ca(2+), and Mg(2+)) analysis. The dominant ionic species for TSP are SO(4)(2-), NO(3)(-), and NH(4)(+) of the total mass of the inorganic ions at both sampling sites. In addition, the results indicated that the NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-) and SO(4)(2-) showed higher concentrations in winter and lower in summer for both TH and Wuchi sampling sites. Statistical methods such as correlation coefficient and principal component analysis were also used to identify the possible pollutant source.     

Single and interactive effects of low levels of O3, SO2 and NO2 on the growth and yield of spring rape

During three consecutive seasons (1987-1989), the effects of low-levels of O3, SO2 and NO2 singly and in all possible combinations (NO2 in 1988 and 1989 only) on growth and yield of potted plants of spring rape (Brassica napus L. var. napus, 'callypso') were investigated by means of factorial fumigation experiments in open-top chambers. Plants were exposed from the early vegetative stage of development until seed harvest, to charcoal-filtered air (CF; control) and CF which was supplemented for 8-h per day (8.00-16.00) with O3, for 16-h per day with NO2 (16.00-8.00) and continuously with SO2. Including the controls, the 24-h daily mean concentrations [microg m(-3)] ranged between 6-44 (O3), 9-88 (SO2) and 10-43 (NO2). The corresponding daily mean concentrations during the time of fumigation were 10-121 and 11-60 microg m(-3) for O3 and NO2, respectively. Single effects of O3 on growth and yield parameters were mostly negative and the magnitude of this effect was dependent on the season. O3 reduced plant dry weight by 11.3-18.6% and yield of seeds by 11.4-26.9%. While medium levels of SO2 stimulated the weight of pods up to 33%, higher concentrations (88 microg m(-3)) caused a decline of yield of 12.3%. From the significant interactive effects which were observed, it could be established that SO2 and NO2 alone mostly acted positively, but that their interaction with each other and especially with O3 was antagonistic, as some of the detrimental effects of O3 were mitigated by these pollutants. An important antagonistic effect between SO2 and O3 or NO2 was observed on yield. While 56 microg m(-3) SO2 increased yield by 9.9% compared to the control treatment, it aggravated the yield loss caused by O3 from -16.18% to -21.4%, and it reduced the yield stimulation caused by NO2 from +11.8% to +4.2%. Leaf area was the only parameter which was negatively affected by all pollutants, their joint action being synergistic.     

Effects of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, singly and in mixture, on the macroscopic growth of three birch clones

An investigation of some aspects of the effects of low concentrations of the gases, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, singly and in mixture, was made on the growth of three birch clones, two of Betula pendula Roth. (silver birch) and one of Betula pubescens Ehr. (downy birch). Comparative measurements of the growth form and dry mass increment were made over one year in glasshouses supplied with charcoal-filtered ambient air, and SO(2) and NO(2), singly or in mixture, at mean concentrations of 62 ppb (nl litre (-1)) of one or both gases. The main effects were found in those plants that were fumigated with SO(2) singly, and SO(2) and NO(2) together. Both treatments induced premature leaf loss and reduction in mass, especially of roots, the effects increasing over time. The heights and initial leaf areas were maintained, apparently at the expense of other parameters. NO(2), if present singly, had little or no effect, but it tended to enhance the damaging effect of SO(2) when the two were applied together. The different clones showed different degrees of response to the pollutants, but these differences became less marked during the second season of fumigation. The effects found are discussed in relation to the annual growth of trees, particularly birch.     

Heterogeneous response of central European streams to decreased acidic atmospheric deposition

We investigated the relations between mountain streamwater chemistry and atmospheric pollution in an arca of 1611 km2 of the Czech Republic by comparing concentrations of SO4. NO3, Cl, Ca and the pH at 432 localities at the time of high (1984-1986) and relatively low (1996-2000) acidic atmospheric deposition. Medians of Cl. SO4, and NO3 decreased by 17, 96 and 60 microeq l(-1), or by 23, 17 and 49%, respectively, during 12 +/- 2 years. The decreased Cl corresponds to decreased emission of industrial Cl (as HCl). The decreased stream SO4 was proportionally lower than the 71% decrease in S-emissions due to leaching of previously accumulated SO4 from soils and non-zero background concentrations. Decreases of NO3 up to 60% in streamwaters with pH < or = 6 was greater than the decrease of N emission in central Europe, about 35%. Extensive regional decrease of NO3 is surprising and is probably described for the first time. The difference in NO3 concentrations between the two periods was probably enhanced by (a) an increase of mineralisation of forest floor in the mid-1980s and (b) by higher uptake of N in the late-1990s. The median pH of the 432 streams did not change but the pH of the sub-population with pH < 6 in the mid-1980s recovered substantially. The pH of circum-neutral streams (pH > 6.5) decreased even as acidic atmospheric deposition decreased.     

Relation between estimated dry deposition and throughfall in a coniferous forest exposed to controlled levels of SO2 and NO2

Throughfall was collected in a Scots pine forest exposed to about 14 microg m(-3) of both SO2 and NO2, and in a control forest with 1 microg m(-3) SO2 and < 1 microg m(-3) NO2. Precipitation was collected in a nearby open field. Collection was performed on an event basis during the whole vegetation period. Exposure was made by an open-air release system during the vegetation period, except during rain and at night. Additional sulfate deposition in the exposed forest (compared to control forest) was nearly equal to dry deposition of sulfur dioxide, as estimated with a stomatal conductance model adapted for the particular forest. It is thus concluded that essentially all of the dry deposited sulfur dioxide is eventually extracted and appears in throughfall-including the fraction that has been deposited through stomata. Attempts to relate net throughfall deposition to dry deposition of sulfate in the control forest were inconclusive, since a minor (10%) uncertainty in the water balance had a major influence on calculated deposition velocity for particulate sulfate. Nitrate throughfall deposition is about half of the open field wet deposition, both for the exposed and control forest. Thus, a long-term exposure with about 14 microg m(-3) NO2 decreased nitrate throughfall deposition.     

Precipitation chemistry in the coast of the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Precipitation chemistry was studied in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro (MRRJ). This study reveals that rainwater in the MRRJ is affected by emissions of air pollutants and provides essential data for future estimates of regional biogeochemical cycles and the impacts of acid deposition on tropical ecosystems. The volume-weighted mean (VWM) pH was 4.77, varying from 3.50 to 6.85. Sea-salt aerosols were the dominant sources of the Na+, Cl- and Mg2+. Excess SO4(2-), Ca2+ and K+ comprised 82, 91, and 87% of their total VWM concentrations, respectively. There were very strong correlations (r > 0.75, P > 0.01) for NO3- and H+, NO3- and excess(exc-)SO4(2-), NH4+ and exc-K+, and exc-SO4(2-) and exc-Ca2+, suggesting causal relationships between these ion pairs. The VWM concentrations of all major ions, except H+, were higher in the dry season, with dry to wet VWM concentration ratios varying from 1.1 (NH4+) to 4.7 (for total K+).     

An investigation into the acid content of aerosols in the ambient air at the Taj Mahal, Agra

A chemical analysis of suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected near the world famous Taj Mahal monument at Agra has been carried out. SPM samples collected on glass fibre filters were analysed for water-soluble sulphate, nitrate, chloride and ammonium ions. The data were derived from over 200 samples (each of 24 h), collected continuously during the winter periods (October through to March) of 1984-1985 and 1985-1986. The SO(4)(2-) and NO(3)(-) components are acidic in nature causing corrosion and effects on visibility, and so were studied in more detail. Mean values for SO(4)(2-) and NO(3)(-) derived from two-year data are 7.2 microg m(-3) and 8.2 microg m(-3), respectively. The SO(4)(2-)/SO(2) and NO(3)(-)/NO(2) ratiosobserved indicate faster conversion of SO(2) to SO(4)(2-) than NO(2) to NO(3)(-), the maximum levels being in January. Thus, both SO(4)(2-) and NO(3)(-) results appear to offer more promising indices of air quality than do SPM data alone.     

The MAGIC simulation of surface water acidification at, and first year results from, the Bear Brook Watershed Manipulation, Maine, USA

The catchments of East and West Bear Brooks, Maine, USA, have been hydrologically and chemically monitored for 3.5 years. Stream chemistries and hydrographs are similar. These clear water streams are low in ANC (0-70 microeq litre(-1)), with variations caused by changing concentrations of base cations, SO4, NO3 and Cl. The latter range between 90-120, 0-40 and 65-75 microeq litre(-1), respectively. The West Bear catchment is being treated with six applications per year of dry (NH4)2SO4 at 1800 eq ha(-1) year(-1). After one year of treatment, the response of the stream chemistry and the response modelled by MAGIC are similar. Retentions of NH4 and SO4 are nearly 100% and greater than 80%, respectively. The additional flux of SO4 is compensated principally by an increased Ca concentration. Episodes of high discharge in the treated catchment are now characterized by lower ANC and pH, and higher Al than prior to the manipulation. Concentrations of NO3 have increased about 10 microeq litre(-1) during the dormant season, presumably due to additional nitrification of N from NH4. Discharge-chemistry relationships indicate that changes in stream chemistry, except for NO3, are dominated by ion exchange reactions in the upper part of the soil profile.     

The contribution of ammonia emissions from agriculture to the deposition of acidifying and eutrophying compounds onto forests

In the vicinity of a large ammonia emission area, dry and wet deposition of acidifying and eutrophying compounds onto Douglas Fir forests was studied by sampling throughfall, stemflow and bulk precipitation. Deposition amounts of NH(4)(+) and SO(4)(2-) were recognised to be among the highest of Central Europe, resulting in extremely high inputs of (potential) acid to the forest soils (13.1 kEq ha(-1) year(-1)). The contribution of NH(3) emissions from agriculture to the total acid deposition to the forests was 52%. The total nitrogen deposition amounted to 115.0 kg ha(-1) year(-1), 83% originating from NH(3) emissions and 17% from NO(x) emissions. Calculated mean dry deposition velocities of NH(3) and SO(2) were much larger than reported in the literature. A synergistic effect between NH(3) and SO(2) in the process of dry deposition is suggested and evidence for this effect is discussed. When deposition models do not take this interaction into account, they will underestimate NH(3) and SO(2) deposition amounts in areas with intensive animal husbandry.     

Nitrate reductase activity of needles of Norway spruce fumigated with different mixtures of ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide

Four-year-old spruce clones (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) cultivated in sand and provided with a complete nutrient solution, or a solution deficient in magnesium and calcium, were exposed to the pollutant mixtures SO(2)/NO(2), O(3)/NO(2), and O(3)/SO(2)/NO(2), at realistic concentrations for 32 weeks. Fumigation caused a slight increase of total N contents in current year needles, whereas in one-year-old needles N concentrations did not change. The response of nitrate reductase activity to pollutant stress depended on needle age and nutrient supply, respectively. In one-year-old needles fumigation resulted in a significant inhibition of enzyme activity, particularly in Mg and Ca deficient trees. The combination of all three components proved to be most effective in causing a decrease by 60% compared to the control. In contrast, nitrate reductase activity was stimulated in current year needles, especially by O(3)/NO(2) and O(3)/SO(2)/NO(2). Changes in the activity of nitrate and nitrite reductases are considered as a factor contributing to the high phytotoxic potential of pollutant combinations with NO(2).     

The utilization of catalyst sorbent in scrubbing acid gases from incineration flue gas

Catalyst sorbents based on alumina-supported CuO, CeO2, and CuO-CeO2 were applied to a dry scrubber to clean up the SO2/HCl/NO simultaneously from pilot-scale fluidized-bed incineration flue gas. In the presence of organic compounds, CO and the submicron particles SO2 and HCI removed by the fresh catalyst sorbents and NO reduced to N2 by NH3 under the catalysis of fresh and spent desulfurization/dechloridization (DeSO2/DeHCl) catalyst sorbents (copper compounds, Cu, CuO, and CuSO4) were evaluated in this paper. The fresh and spent catalyst sorbents were characterized by the Brunner-Emmett-Teller method (BET), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the elemental analyzer (EA). The study showed that the performances of CuO, CeO2, and CuO-CeO2/gamma-Al2O3 were better than that of Ca(OH)2. The removal efficiency of SO2 and HCl was 80-95% in the dry scrubber system. Under NH3/NO = 1, NO could not be reduced to N2 because it was difficult to control the ratio of air/fuel in the flue gas. For estimating the feasibility of regenerating the spent catalyst sorbents, BET and EA analyses were used. They indicated that the pore structures were nearly maintained and a small amount of carbon accumulated on their surface.     

Simulated seasonal variations in wet acid depositions over East Asia

The air quality modeling system Regional Atmospheric Modeling System-Community Multi-scale Air Quality (RAMS-CMAQ) was applied to analyze temporospatial variations in wet acid deposition over East Asia in 2005, and model results obtained on a monthly basis were evaluated against extensive observations, including precipitation amounts at 704 stations and SO4(2-), NO3-, and NH4+ concentrations in the atmosphere and rainwater at 18 EANET (the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia) stations. The comparison shows that the modeling system can reasonably reproduce seasonal precipitation patterns, especially the extensive area of dry conditions in northeast China and north China and the major precipitation zones. For ambient concentrations and wet depositions, the simulated results are in reasonable agreement (within a factor of 2) with observations in most cases, and the major observed features are mostly well reproduced. The analysis of modeled wet deposition distributions indicates that East Asia experiences noticeable variations in its wet deposition patterns throughout the year. In winter, southern China and the coastal areas of the Japan Sea report higher S04(2-) and NO3- wet depositions. In spring, elevated SO4(2-) and NO3-wet depositions are found in northeastern China, southern China, and around the Yangtze River. In summer, a remarkable rise in precipitation in northeastern China, the valleys of the Huaihe and Yangtze rivers, Korea, and Japan leads to a noticeable increase in SO4(2-) and NO3- wet depositions, whereas in autumn, higher SO4(2-) and NO3-wet depositions are found around Sichuan Province. Meanwhile, due to the high emission of SO2, high wet depositions of SO4(2-) are found throughout the entire year in the area surrounding Sichuan Province. There is a tendency toward decreasing NO3- concentrations in rainwater from China through Korea to Japan in both observed and simulated results, which is a consequence of the influence of the continental outflow from Eurasia. The same tendency is not found for SO4(2-).