不同小叶章湿地H2S和COS的排放通量研究

利用静态箱/气相色谱法,观测了小叶章沼泽化草甸和小叶章典型草甸两种湿地类型中H2S和COS在生长季(5-9月)的释放动态,结果表明:在两种小叶章湿地中,H2S和COS的排放通量均具有明显的季节和日变化规律.在小叶章沼泽化草甸中H2S和COS的平均释放通量分别为0.34μg·m-2·h-1和-0.29μg·m-2·h-1;小叶章典型草甸H2S和COS的平均释放通量分别为0.14μg·m-2·h-1和-0.20μg·m-2·h-1;小叶章沼泽化草甸H2S和COS的平均释放通量均高于小叶章典型草甸.在生长季两种小叶章湿地均能向大气释放H2S,对COS则表现为从大气中吸收.小叶章的生长过程对H2S和COS的排放影响显著,在小叶章生长旺盛期,H2S出现排放峰值,COS出现吸收高峰.     

秋季COS和DMS在草坪与大气间的交换

利用静态箱法研究了羰基硫 (COS)和二甲基硫 (DMS)在绿化草坪与大气之间的交换 .在秋季 ,草坪对COS的吸收通量为 0 75— 1 4 5 μg·m- 2 ·h- 1 ,对DMS的排放通量为0 0 5— 0 35 μg·m- 2 ·h- 1 .COS和DMS的交换通量与环境温度、光照及初始浓度等因素有关 ,其中 ,周围大气COS的浓度对草坪吸收COS的影响最为明显 .草坪对COS的吸收通量与DMS的排放通量呈正相关 ,相关系数 (R2 )大于 0 7.此外 ,COS的垂直分布也表明草坪对COS具有明显的吸收作用     

三江平原小叶章湿草甸CH4地-气交换特征

用密闭不透明箱-气相色谱法对三江平原小叶章湿草甸进行了为期2 a的现场观测研究.结果表明三江平原季节性积水的小叶章湿草甸全年CH4排放呈明显的双峰型变化.在非冰冻期(5月至10月)CH4排放通量为0.297～18.914 mg·m-2·h-1, 排放峰值出现在6月和8月、9月;冰冻期(11月至次年4月)CH4排放通量为0.048～2.921 mg·m-2·h-1, 排放低值出现在冬季的12月至次年3月之间,以及发生季节性干旱的7月.冰雪覆盖下的小叶章湿地依然有CH4排放,冰冻期CH4排放量约占全年排放总量的4.94%.在季节性积水或过湿的环境中,小叶章湿草甸CH4排放通量的季节变化主要由温度和土壤水分条件共同控制,其日变化特征表现为白天排放通量大,夜间则小.     

若尔盖高原泥炭沼泽湿地CO2呼吸通量特征

若尔盖高原沼泽湿地是我国最大的高原泥炭沼泽湿地。采用静止箱/气相色谱法,2004年5月至10月对若尔盖高原泥炭沼泽湿地CO2呼吸通量进行了观测。沼泽湿地CO2呼吸通量平均值为200.40mg·m-2·h-1,最大值为402.37mg·m-2·h-1,最小值为61.09mg·m-2·h-1。沼泽湿地周边的沼泽化草甸CO2呼吸通量平均值为425.50mg·m-2·h-1,最大值为891.74mg·m-2·h-1,最小值为124.23mg·m-2·h-1。二者均在7、8月出现排放峰值。沼泽湿地CO2呼吸通量日变化为单峰型,高峰出现在13时和15时。沼泽湿地CO2呼吸与温度具有相关性,其中与5cm深的土壤温度相关性最好。若尔盖高原沼泽湿地CO2呼吸通量的平均值仅为三江平原常年积水沼泽湿地的约36%,这可能是若尔盖高原沼泽湿地有泥炭积累,而三江平原沼泽湿地无泥炭积累或仅有少量积累的重要原因之一。     

水位对小叶章湿地CO2、CH4排放及土壤微生物活性的影响

湿地生态系统对全球碳平衡和气候变化起着极其重要的作用,而水位波动将影响湿地生物地球化学过程,导致温室气体通量变化,为了明确湿地生态系统温室气体通量以及土壤微生物活性对水位梯度的生态响应,通过野外盆栽培养试验,设T1:-5 cm,T2:0 cm,T3:5 cm,T4:10 cm 4种水位梯度,T1和T2模拟湿地非淹水的水分状况,T3和T4模拟淹水状况,研究了不同水位梯度下小叶章(Calamagrostis angustifolia)湿地CO2、CH4通量、土壤微生物量碳、氮及土壤酶活性的变化规律.结果表明:不同水位条件下,小叶章湿地系统CO2和CH4通量差异较大,-5 cm水位时小叶章湿地CO2通量为(643.35±61.89) mg·m-2·h -1,随着水位增加,CO2通量依次降低6.9%、12.1%、40.0%,且水位升高到10 cm时,小叶章湿地CO2排放量显著降低(P<0.05);而CH4通量则随水位增加呈显著增加趋势,通量变化为(1.52±0.12)~(5.34±0.61) mg·m-2·h-1;水位对微生物活性影响显著,非淹水条件下小叶章湿地土壤微生物量碳、氮含量以及土壤蔗糖酶、淀粉酶活性高于淹水土壤,且随着淹水位增加,微生物活性显著降低.     

互花米草入侵盐沼湿地CH_4和N_2O排放日变化特征研究

甲烷(CH4)和氧化亚氮(N2O)是导致全球气候变暖的2种重要温室气体,探索其源汇及地域排放特征一直是全球变化研究领域的核心内容。CH4和N2O通量的日变化研究是正确估算大时间尺度下CH4和N2O排放量的基础。利用静态箱法原位观测了江苏沿海芦苇(Phragmites australis)、盐蒿(Suada salsa)、光滩、水面以及互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)入侵湿地CH4和N2O排放的日变化特征。结果表明,1)互花米草湿地地上部生物量为1.70 kg·m-2,土壤有机碳质量分数为13.55 g·kg-1;分别是芦苇和盐蒿湿地的2.50~3.43和2.15~4.15倍。2)互花米草和芦苇湿地土壤10 cm处氧化还原电位(Eh)有明显日变化,最低值出现在3:00,最高值出现在12:00;光滩和盐蒿湿地没有明显的日变化。3)互花米草湿地CH4日平均排放通量为0.52 mg·m-2·h-1,是其他湿地的2.12~6.40倍;N2O日平均通量为-3.24μg·m-2·h-1,显著低于盐蒿湿地、光滩和水面(P0.05)。互花米草和芦苇湿地CH4排放通量最高值(0.73 mg·m-2·h-1和0.30 mg·m-2·h-1)出现在15:00,最低值(0.37mg·m-2·h-1和0.17 mg·m-2·h-1)出现在3:00,均与土壤孔隙水中CH4浓度呈显著负相关(P0.05)。互花米草湿地CH4排放通量与10 cm土温、Eh和生态系统CO2净交换量(NEE)显著正相关(P0.05)。互花米草和芦苇湿地N2O通量9:00-18:00为负值,21:00—6:00为正值,均与NEE呈显著负相关(P0.05)。盐蒿湿地、光滩和水面CH4和N2O排放通量没有明显日变化特征。互花米草入侵提高了沿海湿地CH4排放,但降低了N2O排放,植物对CH4传输作用以及向根际传输O2和易分解有机物是导致互花米草和芦苇湿地CH4和N2O排放表现出日变化特征的原因。     

三江平原小叶章湿地土壤硫的组成与垂直分布

以三江平原小叶章湿地为对象,对比研究了典型草甸小叶章湿地和沼泽化草甸小叶章湿地土壤硫的组成与垂直分布特征.结果表明,在2种小叶章湿地类型中,土壤总硫含量分别为303.39～520.83和303.74～1 219.81 mg·kg-1,平均值为391.62和513.03 mg·kg-1,均低于世界平均土壤硫含量(700 mg·kg-1).硫主要富集在土壤表层,且主要以有机硫形式存在,有机硫占总硫比例约为90%,而在有机硫中,则以碳键硫所占比例最大,占总硫比例分别为45.34%和37.24%.沼泽化草甸小叶章湿地土壤各形态硫含量及其变异性均高于典型草甸小叶章湿地.在2种湿地土壤中各形态硫都具有明显的垂直分布特征和变异性.土壤有机质含量是影响硫含量的重要因素,同时也受到土壤各粒级含量的影响,并且土壤各形态硫含量之间存在一定的相关关系.     

围栏禁牧与放牧对若尔盖高原泥炭地CO_2和CH_4排放的影响

全球气候变暖已是不争的事实,主要是由于大气中CO2和CH4浓度的大幅度增加。泥炭地作为大气CO2"汇"和CH4排放"源",在全球碳循环中发挥着重要的作用。然而,放牧管理影响着泥炭地CO2和CH4排放通量,以前有关放牧管理对湿地CO2和CH4排放通量的影响研究仍未取得一致的结论。选择了世界上最高的湿地若尔盖高原湿地作为研究样点,对比研究了若尔盖高原湿地围栏内和放牧地CO2和CH4的排放,有助于深刻理解放牧管理对CO2和CH4排放通量的影响过程。于是,在2013年6─10月,基于静态暗箱法,CO2和CH4通量测量采用快速温室气体分析仪(DLT-100,Los Gatos Research,USA)。结果表明:放牧地地表植物生物量较围封地减少了350.21 g·m-2,但增加了地下植物根的生物量729.17 g·m-2。生长季期间,围封地和放牧地的CO2排放通量平均值(±标准差)为(845.02±559.24)和(763.78±534.99)mg·m-2·h-1,但它们无差异显著;而CH4排放通量为(7.65±5.92)和(7.91±4.94)mg·m-2·h-1,它们之间也无差异显著。然而,集中放牧期间(7月下旬至9月底),放牧地CH4排放通量较围封地增加了54.3%,这种CH4排放通量增加的结果主要出现在水位趋向下降,温度最高和生物量最大的条件下,并且CH4排放以维管植物传输方式为主的时期。因此,这些结果有助于为湿地合理经营和减缓温室气体排放提供数据支撑。     

不同水分条件下巴音布鲁克天鹅湖高寒湿地夏季N_2O日排放特征

在气候变暖背景下温室气体排放特征的研究已成为全球变化的研究热点之一,而湿地生态系统与温室气体排放有着密切的关系。湿地N2O排放对水分变化的响应机制研究对干旱区高寒湿地的科学管理具有重要意义。以新疆天山中部巴音布鲁克天鹅湖高寒湿地为研究区,采用静态箱-气相色谱法,对处于不同水分条件下高寒湿地生态系统N2O排放特征进行研究。结果表明:(1)常年积水区、季节性积水区、常年干燥区生态系统N2O的日平均排放通量分别为1.27、0.99、0.98μg·m-2·h-1。生态系统日N2O累积排放量分别为常年积水区30.61μg·m-2、季节性积水区23.97μg·m-2、常年干燥区23.08μg·m-2。(2)季节性积水区生态系统N2O排放日变化表现为3峰曲线,其峰值分别出现在2:00(1.30μg·m-2·h-1)、11:00(1.28μg·m-2·h-1)和21:00(1.66μg·m-2·h-1),而常年干燥区生态系统N2O排放日变化表现为双峰曲线,峰值分别出现在9:00(1.40μg·m-2·h-1)和17:00(1.42μg·m-2·h-1)。(3)环境因素显著影响着湿地生态系统N2O排放,地表植被活体生物量与生态系统N2O累积排放量呈现显著正相关性,在常年积水区地下10 cm土壤温度与生态系统N2O排放通量相关性达到显著水平(F=8.326,P=0.018),在季节性积水区土壤含水量与生态系统N2O排放通量有显著相关性(F=4.787,P=0.043)。     

油菜地CO2、N2O排放及其影响因素

2005年11月至2006年5月采用静态箱法对成都平原典型水稻 - 油菜轮作区油菜地CO2、N2O排放通量进行原位测定.结果表明,CO2排放通量为121.4～1 585.8 mg·m-2·h-1,平均656.8 mg·m-2·h-1;N2O排放通量为18.0～521.0 μg·m-2·h-1,平均168.0 μg·m-2·h-1.在整个油菜生长期内,地下5 cm土壤温度与CO2、N2O排放通量之间呈指数函数关系.3种不同处理油菜地CO2、N2O排放通量均为常规处理＞无氮处理＞裸地处理.土壤温度、施氮和植物生长是影响油菜地CO2、N2O排放的主要因素.     

农田生态系统大气氮、硫湿沉降通量的观测研究

2007年10月至2008年9月,借助自动降雨收集器(APS-2A)及自动气象观测站(VSALA-M52),在中国科学院红壤生态实验站(江西鹰潭)农田区内定位采集雨水样本,探讨了大气氮、硫湿沉降特征,估算了大气氮、硫的湿沉降向农田生态系统的输入通量.结果表明,雨水中氮、硫素的月质量浓度变异较大,全氮(T-N)、铵态氮(NH_4~+-N)、硝态氮(NO_3~--N)和硫(SO_4~(2-)-S)的月质量浓度,即ρ(T-N)、ρ(NH_4~+-N)、ρ(NO_3~-N)和ρ(SO_4~(2-)S)分别为1.09～7.84、0.64~6.25、0.34～1.83和0.95～7.64mg·L~(-1),均与降水呈负相关,其中ρ(T-N)、ρ(NH_4~+-N)、ρ(SO_4~(2-)-S)与降水的相关性达到比较显著水平(n=11,p<0.10).湿沉降月通量F(T-N)、F(NI_4~+N)、F(NO_3~--N)和F(SO_4~(2-)-S)分别为1.0～7.84、0.64～6.25、0.17～1.54和1.22～9.15 kg·hm~(-2),均与降水呈正相关,其中F(T-N)、F(NH_4~+-N)和F(SO_4~(2-)-S)与降水的相关性均达到显著水平(n=11,p<0.05).季节上,雨水氮、硫浓度及湿沉降氮、硫通量均呈冬春>夏秋的特性.湿沉降向农田生态系统输入N 35.94 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1)和S45.93 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1),其中NH4~+-N的年沉降通量为22.92 kg·hm~(-2),占湿沉降氮总量的63.75%.     

Atmospheric sulfur deposition onto different ecosystems over China

The regional acid deposition model system (RegADMS) was applied to simulate the air sulfur deposition onto different landuse types over China, in which the dry deposition velocities of SO2 and sulfate aerosol (SO4(2-) were estimated by use of a big leaf resistance analogy model and the wet scavenging coefficients were parameterized in terms of precipitation rate. Investigations show that the annual total sulfur deposition over mainland China is 7.24mt (1 mt = 10(6) ton) , in which dry deposition and wet deposition accounts for 56 and 44%, respectively. The sulfur deposition onto agriculture land, grass land, and forest land is 1.09, 3.6 and 1.41 mt, respectively, which sums 6.1 mt and accounts for 84% of the total sulfur deposition. The modeled sulfur deposition was in agreement with the measurement conducted at farmland in Yingtan, a typical read soil region in Jiangxi province of China, during the period of November 1998--October 1999. The total sulfur deposition at the Yingtan site is about 10.3 gm(-2) year(-1) of which 83% is dry deposition. The modeling sulfur deposition at the same site is 8.4 g m(-2) year(-1) Furthermore, the comparison between RegADMS and RAINS-ASIA on modeling regional sulfur deposition shows the consistence of the two models. The correlation coefficient between the simulated sulfur deposition at the medium-large cities reaches 0.72.     

Atmospheric Sulfur Deposition onto Different Ecosystems Over China

The regional acid deposition model system (RegADMS) was applied to simulate the air sulfur deposition onto different landuse types over China, in which the dry deposition velocities of SO₂ and sulfate aerosol (SO ₄ ^2– ) were estimated by use of a big leaf resistance analogy model and the wet scavenging coefficients were parameterized in terms of precipitation rate. Investigations show that the annual total sulfur deposition over mainland China is 7.24 mt (1 mt = 10⁶ ton) , in which dry deposition and wet deposition accounts for 56 and 44%, respectively. The sulfur deposition onto agriculture land, grass land, and forest land is 1.09, 3.6 and 1.41 mt, respectively, which sums 6.1 mt and accounts for 84% of the total sulfur deposition. The modeled sulfur deposition was in agreement with the measurement conducted at farmland in Yingtan, a typical read soil region in Jiangxi province of China, during the period of November 1998–October 1999. The total sulfur deposition at the Yingtan site is about 10.3 gm^–2 year^–1 of which 83% is dry deposition. The modeling sulfur deposition at the same site is 8.4 gm^–2 year^–1. Furthermore, the comparison between RegADMS and RAINS-ASIA on modeling regional sulfur deposition shows the consistence of the two models. The correlation coefficient between the simulated sulfur deposition at the medium-large cities reaches 0.72.     

Application of a coupled ecosystem-chemical equilibrium model, DayCent-Chem, to stream and soil chemistry in a Rocky Mountain watershed

Atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen species have the potential to acidify terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, but nitrate and ammonium are also critical nutrients for plant and microbial productivity. Both the ecological response and the hydrochemical response to atmospheric deposition are of interest to regulatory and land management agencies. We developed a non-spatial biogeochemical model to simulate soil and surface water chemistry by linking the daily version of the CENTURY ecosystem model (DayCent) with a low temperature aqueous geochemical model, PHREEQC. The coupled model, DayCent-Chem, simulates the daily dynamics of plant production, soil organic matter, cation exchange, mineral weathering, elution, stream discharge, and solute concentrations in soil water and stream flow. By aerially weighting the contributions of separate bedrock/talus and tundra simulations, the model was able to replicate the measured seasonal and annual stream chemistry for most solutes for Andrews Creek in Loch Vale watershed, Rocky Mountain National Park. Simulated soil chemistry, net primary production, live biomass, and soil organic matter for forest and tundra matched well with measurements. This model is appropriate for accurately describing ecosystem and surface water chemical response to atmospheric deposition and climate change.     

Empirical modeling of atmospheric deposition in mountainous landscapes.

Atmospheric deposition has long been recognized as an important source of pollutants and nutrients to ecosystems. The need for reliable, spatially explicit estimates of total atmospheric deposition (wet + dry + cloud) is central, not only to air pollution effects researchers, but also for calculation of input-output budgets, and to decision makers faced with the challenge of assessing the efficacy of policy initiatives related to deposition. Although atmospheric deposition continues to represent a critical environmental and scientific issue, current estimates of total deposition have large uncertainties, particularly across heterogeneous landscapes such as montane regions. We developed an empirical modeling approach that predicts total deposition as a function of landscape features. We measured indices of total deposition to the landscapes of Acadia (121 km2) and Great Smoky Mountains (2074 km2) National Parks (USA). Using approximately 300-400 point measurements and corresponding landscape variables at each park, we constructed a statistical (general linear) model relating the deposition index to landscape variables measured in the field. The deposition indices ranged over an order of magnitude, and in response to vegetation type and elevation, which together explained approximately 40% of the variation in deposition. Then, using the independent landscape variables available in GIS data layers, we created a GIS-relevant statistical nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) deposition model (LandMod). We applied this model to create park-wide maps of total deposition that were scaled to wet and dry deposition data from the closest national network monitoring stations. The resultant deposition maps showed high spatial heterogeneity and a four- to sixfold variation in "hot spots" and "cold spots" of N and S deposition ranging from 3 to 31 kg N x ha(-1) x yr(-1) and from 5 to 42 kg S x ha(-1) x yr(-1) across these park landscapes. Area-weighted deposition was found to be up to 70% greater than NADP plus CASTNET monitoring-station estimates together. Model-validation results suggest that the model slightly overestimates deposition for deciduous and coniferous forests at low elevation and underestimates deposition for high-elevation coniferous forests. The spatially explicit deposition estimates derived from LandMod are an improvement over what is currently available. Future research should test LandMod in other mountainous environments and refine it to account for (currently) unexplained variation in deposition.     

Trace element concentration in wheat grain: results from the Swedish long-term soil fertility experiments and national monitoring program

Concentrations of trace elements in wheat grain sampled between 1967 and 2003 from the Swedish long-term soil fertility experiments were analyzed using ICP-MS. The long-term effect of inorganic and organic fertilization on trace metal concentrations was investigated including the impact of atmospheric deposition and myccorhiza, whereas other factors such as soil conditions, crop cultivar, etc. are not discussed in this paper. Mean values derived from 10 experimental sites were reported. Significantly declining Pb and Cd concentrations in wheat grain could be explained by lower atmospheric deposition. Mean Se contents in all samples were 0.031 mg kg⁻¹ grain dry weight. No samples had sufficiently high Se concentrations for human (0.05 mg Se kg⁻¹) or animal demand (0.1 mg Se kg⁻¹). Concentrations of Co in wheat grain were extremely low, 0.002–0.005 mg Co kg⁻¹ grain dry weight, and far below the minimum levels required by animals, which applied to all fertilizer treatments. A doubling of Mo concentrations in grain since 1975 resulted in Cu/Mo ratios often below one, which may cause molybdenosis in ruminants. The increase in Mo concentrations in crops correlated with the decline in sulfur deposition. Concentrations of Cu and Fe declined in NPK-fertilized wheat as compared to unfertilized or manure-treated wheat. Very low concentrations of Se and Co and low concentrations of Fe and Cu require attention to counteract risks for deficiencies. The main characteristic of the study is that there are few significant changes over time between different fertilizer treatments, but throughout there are low concentrations of most trace elements in all treatments. In general, good agreement between concentrations in wheat from the long-term fertility experiments and the national monitoring program indicate that values are representative.     

Human health risk assessment of lead pollution in atmospheric deposition in Baoshan District,Shanghai

The lead (Pb) content in atmospheric deposition was determined at 42 sampling sites in Baoshan District of Shanghai, China. Based on exposure and dose–response assessments, the health risk caused by Pb exposure in atmospheric deposition was investigated. The results indicated that Pb was significantly accumulated in atmospheric deposition. The spatial distribution of Pb was mapped by geostatistical analysis, and the results showed that pollution hotspots were present at traffic and industrial zones. Ingestion was the main route of Pb exposure in both adults and children. For children the risk value was above 1, whereas it was below 1 for the adult group. Therefore, children belong to the high-risk group for Pb exposure from atmospheric deposition in the observed area of Shanghai, China.     

武汉城区大气SO2浓度累计频率分布及污染趋势

本文探讨武汉市大气SO_2污染.根据武汉城区1984年至1988年的大气例行监测数据,分析了商业区、工业区、居民区监测点的SO_2一次值、六个功能区的SO_2点日均值、城区SO_2点日均值和年日均值的率频分布特征并比较了城区和六个功能区SO_2污染水平及污染趋势.     

Forest Edges as Nutrient and Pollutant Concentrators: Potential Synergisms between Fragmentation, Forest Canopies, and the Atmosphere

Abstract: Forest fragmentation leads to a dramatic increase in forest edge, and these edges may function as traps and concentrators for wind-borne nutrients and pollutants. We assessed the influence of forest edges on atmospheric deposition and subsequent inputs to the forest floor in deciduous-forest fragments in the eastern United States. To quantify these inputs, we collected throughfall—water that has passed through the forest canopy—from edge and interior zones of forests adjacent to open fields. During the 1995 growing season, atmospheric input (wet and dry deposition) of sulfur to forest edge zones was elevated compared with input to forest interiors. Throughfall fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and calcium were also greater at edges than interiors. The mean edge increases ranged from 17% to 56% for the nutrients and pollutants we measured. When we manipulated the structure of forest edges by removing all vegetation below half the canopy height, throughfall flux in the edge zone declined sharply and was less than that of the respective interior zone. Changing the vegetation structure of the edge also shifted the zone of highest throughfall flux farther into the interior of the forest. Our data suggest that forest edges can function both as significant traps for airborne nutrients and pollutants from adjoining agricultural or urban landscapes and effective concentrators of below-canopy chemical fluxes. These enhanced fluxes may have cascading effects on soil-nutrient cycling, microbial activity, seedling dominance, and other ecological processes near forest edges.     

Polyzyklische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe aus diffusen Quellen

Goal and Scope

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one group of persistent organic pollutants which are ubiquitous distributed in soils, even in rural areas. After their release into the atmosphere, transportation and deposition, they tend to accumulate in topsoils and sediments. Similar distribution pattern of PAHs in atmospheric deposition, soil samples as well as sediment samples indicate a close relationship between atmospheric input and accumulation of PAHs in the terrestrial environment. The intention of this paper was to estimate the time when precautionary values of the German law of soil protection will be exceeded in rural areas. Furthermore, current soil concentrations will be linked to the historical record of PAHs by means of enrichment factors.

Methods

The historical record of the atmospheric deposition rates of PAHs can be obtained from investigation of sediment cores. Based thereon, enrichment factors of PAHs in the environment were calculated. With these enrichment factors it was possible to estimate the recent PAH concentration in soils in rural areas from currently measured annual deposition rates. Furthermore, concentrations of PAHs in soils and deposition rates can be used to calculate the time when precautionary values will be reached.

Results and Conclusion

PAH deposition rates have been decreasing since about 1960 by a factor of 2–3, but stabilized during the last decade on a level high above pre-industrial time. Thus, further enrichment of PAH in topsoils has to be expected. Actual deposition rates in connection with historical enrichment factors allow to determine the median concentrations of PAHs in rural soils. The time when precautionary values will be reached was calculated to about 300 Years.

Outlook

The database to predict the further development of atmospheric deposition rates is very weak. There was a lack of validated methods concerning direct measurements of atmospheric POP deposition. Meanwhile, a national draft of a standard base on time-integrated passive sampling exists. This method can be implemented to establish a combined soil and deposition-monitoring program in order to assess the risk of further accumulation of POPs in soils.