Effect of acid rain on the fractionation of heavy metals and major elements in contaminated soils

Acid rain is a serious environmental problem worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acid rain (1:1 equivalent basis H₂SO₄:HNO₃) at pH values of 2.0, 4.0 and 7.0 on the fractionation of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and major elements (K, Na, Ca, and Mg) in contaminated calcareous soils over a 2084 h period. Heavy metals and major elements in soil samples were fractionated before and after 2084 h kinetic release using a sequential extraction procedure. Before kinetic studies the predominant fractions of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cd and Ni were mainly associated with carbonate fraction (CARB), whereas Fe, Mn and Zn were associated with the Fe–Mn oxide fraction (Fe–Mn oxide). The highest percentage of Pb and Cu were found in the exchangeable (EXC) and organic matter (OM) fractions, respectively. After kinetic study using different simulated acid rain solutions, the major fractions of heavy metals (expect of Cu) and Na was the same as before release. Upon the application of different acid rain solutions, K and Mg were found dominantly in Fe–Mn oxide fraction, whereas Ca was in the EXC fraction. The results provide valuable information regarding metal mobility and indicated that speciation of metals (Cu and Zn) and major elements in contaminated calcareous soils can be affected by acid rain.     

H2O超声过程中H2O2生成动力学

采用50kHz超声清洗槽式声化学反应器,以纯水为空化液体,研究了超声过程中H2O2生成动力学．分别探讨了空化气体种类(Ar,O2)及组成与流量、空化液体体积与反应器形状对H2O2生成速率及产率的影响．结果表明,超声过程中H2O2的生成可采用零级反应动力学方程来进行描述．在此频率下和考察范围内,采用Ar作为空化气体比O2更有利于H2O2的生成．当混合气体组成为Ar:O2=70：30(V/V)时,H2O2的生成速率最快．随着空化气体流量的增加,H2O2产率增加,随后降低．增加空化液体的体积,H2O2的生成速率降低．与锥形瓶相比,圆底烧瓶中H2O2的产率明显降低．     

模拟酸雨对街道灰尘重金属淋溶的累积释放特征与释放模型

以泉州市交通繁忙区街道灰尘为研究对象,采用模拟酸雨动态淋溶实验和改进的BCR四步提取法研究街道灰尘中重金属元素在不同酸度(pH=3.5、4.5、5.6)模拟酸雨淋溶下的溶出规律及形态变化.结果表明,街道灰尘中重金属元素的累积释放量均随模拟酸雨pH的降低而增加,当pH值为3.5和4.5时,Cu、Pb、Mn、Ni、V、As和Co的释放过程为快速释放阶段,Cr、Zn和Fe的释放过程分为快速释放和相对平稳释放两个阶段;当pH值为5.6时,除Co、V为快速释放过程外,其余重金属都处于相对慢速的释放过程.动力学方程拟合结果表明,双常数速率方程能更好地描述上述重金属元素的累积释放特征.尘样经模拟酸雨淋溶后,弱酸可溶态中Co、Cu、Mn、Zn、Ni百分含量有所增加,Cr、Fe、Pb百分含量变化不明显;可还原态中Cr、Pb、Cu、Ni百分含量有所增加,Mn、Zn、Co百分含量有所下降;可氧化态中上述各元素的百分含量均有所降低;残渣态中除Ni、Mn百分含量有所下降外,其它元素百分含量变化均不显著.     

Background levels of heavy metals in plants of different taxonomic groups from a montane rain forest in Sri Lanka

An undisturbed natural reserve area iocated in a tropical montane rain forest at about 1800 m altitude in Sri Lanka served as a study site to investigate and assess the natural background concentration levels of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in plants representing different taxonomic groups (divisions) in the plant kingdom. The plants selected were: the lichen,Usnea barbata (old man's beard);Pogonatum sp. (a moss);Lycopodium selago (epiphytic lycopod);Polypodium lanceolatum (epiphytic fern);Bulbophyllum elliae (epiphytic orchid) andActinodaphne ambigua (dicotyledonous large tree). Degree of homogeneity with respect to Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in homogenised materials of all samples were within acceptable limits, whereasPogonatum sp. showed the highest degree of homogeneity for Pb. In addition to confirming extremely low levels of heavy metals in all plant species, the survey also found that generally the primitive plants,Usnea andPogonatum appear to have a greater tendency to accumulate As, Cd, Co and Pb; in particular,U. barbata appears to be an efficient accumulator for those heavy metals, suggesting its potential use in environmental studies.Actinodaphne ambigua was found to have a specific accumulating ability for nickel. Surface cleaning of theA. ambigua leaves resulted in a substantial decrease in the foliar contents of Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn. Variations in heavy metal contents observed in different plant genera are discussed in terms of their habits and place of growth in the forest. It is anticipated that the background levels presented in this paper from a remote, unpolluted tropical ecosystem will provide useful reference data for comparative environmental studies.     

上海市不同工业类型土壤重金属含量差异性分析

为揭示不同工业类型土壤重金属含量的差异性,研究以上海市为例,选取机械制造、化工、印染三种污染较为严重的工业类型,进行实地采样分析.结果表明,上海工业土壤重金属元素As、Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn没有超过国家土壤环境质量二级标准,但Ni的平均值达到75.23 mg·kg~(-1),是国家土壤环境质量二级标准的1.5倍;以上海市土壤背景值为评价标准,除As外,各元素单因子污染指数均大于1,由高到低依次为:Ni,Zn、Pb,Cu,Cr,As;印染企业、机械制造、化工企业综合污染指数均大于2,属于中度污染,污染程度由高到低依次为:印染企业,化工企业,机械制造,表现出明显的累积趋势.相关分析和因子分析表明,元素Pb、Cu和Zn有相似来源,Cr和Ni有相似来源,As为另一来源;前两类元素含量远高于对应元素背景值,超标率均在90%以上,来源主要受人为活动影响;As元素含量与背景值相当,来源主要与成土母质有关.通过对比分析发现,Cr、Ni来源主要与机械制造和化工等企业污染排放有关;印染企业生产过程中污染物的排放可能是Pb、Cu、Zn的主要来源;各类型企业土壤均存在多个元素累积,呈现出复合污染的趋势.     

水稻叶片质膜H~+-ATPase对酸雨胁迫的适应机制

采用水培法研究酸雨胁迫对水稻叶片质膜H+-ATPase活性的影响,结果表明,高强度酸雨(pH 2.5和pH 3.0组)胁迫下,pH 2.5组质膜H+-ATPase活性显著受抑,胞内pH降低,POD活性受抑,pH3.0组质膜H+-ATPase活性上升,胞内pH降低,POD活性升高,质膜透性和MDA含量均增加,Fv/Fm和叶鲜重降低;低强度酸雨(3.0相似文献   

Behavioral differences between Pogonomyrmex rugosus and dependent lineage (H1/H2) harvester ants

The discovery of genetic caste determination (GCD) in populations of Pogonomyrmex harvester ants raises many questions about the evolution and persistence of such populations. The genetic caste determination arises from the existence of two distinct, but mutually dependent, genetic lineages within a population. Workers always develop from a combination of the two lineages, but their sister queens develop from within-lineage matings. Maintaining genetic caste determination appears to be costly because many queen-destined eggs are wasted when a colony is not in the reproductive stage, yet these populations appear to be widespread. We investigated whether inter-lineage workers have novel traits that give GCD colonies a selective advantage in certain environments. In particular, we compared ecologically relevant behavioral characteristics of inter-lineage workers in H-lineage colonies with co-occurring normal colonies of P. rugosus. First, we measured colony defensive response toward a simulated vertebrate predator. Second, we set up direct competitive foraging and recruitment experiments between dependent lineage and P. rugosus colonies. Last, we measured individual aggressive response to foreign inter-lineage and P. rugosus workers. We found that H1/H2 inter-lineage workers explored objects on the nest more thoroughly and responded much more aggressively to simulated predator disturbance than the P. rugosus colonies. In individual encounters, H1/H2 inter-lineage and P. rugosus workers were equally aggressive toward foreign ants, but both worker types could discriminate P. rugosus from inter-lineage intruders and were more aggressive toward ants of the alternate type to themselves. When competing directly for resources, however, P. rugosus colonies consistently dominated seed piles. In summary, H1/H2 GCD colonies show distinct behavioral differences, but there is no clear ecological advantage from the traits we examined.     

不同耕作方式和雨强对紫色土坡耕地降雨有效性的影响

农业水资源短缺越来越受到世界各国的关注,对我国的威胁尤为严重.为了揭示紫色土地区坡耕地常用农耕措施在不同雨强条件下对雨水土壤蓄积率的影响规律,为紫色土坡耕地抗旱耕作技术创制提供理论依据,文章采用两因素、三水平、三重复随机区组试验,利用人工降雨装置和模拟径流小区,在栽培玉米(Zea mays L.)条件下,研究了不同耕作方式和雨强对紫色土坡耕地降雨有效性的影响.研究结果表明:在耕作方式相同时,雨强越大,地表径流量越大,地下径流量减少,总径流量增加,不利于土壤保蓄雨水和含水量的提高.在相同雨强条件下,平作的地表径流量最大,雨水土壤蓄积率最低.横坡垄作在中雨强条件下控制地表径流和侵蚀的效果非常明显,能够显著提高雨水土壤蓄积率,但在大雨强和小雨强条件下,提高雨水土壤蓄积率的效果减弱.横坡垄作等保护性耕作措施可以增加土壤对雨水的有效库容,提高土壤抗旱能力,是适用于该区域的抗旱耕作技术.     

Phosphatase activity in Eutrophic Tokyo Bay

Alkaline phosphatase activity in seawater samples taken from Tokyo Bay was measured by both spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods. A stratified distribution pattern of the enzyme was observed in August, a vertically mixed pattern in December. The distribution of phosphatase activity in the eutrophic seawater was paralleled by variations in other parameters, such as viable counts of bacteria, chlorophyll a content, inorganic and total phosphorus concentrations, amounts of seston, particulate deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) and protein. A significant correlation between phosphatase activity and these measurements indicated that the enzyme was a good indicator of the degree of eutrophication. The positive relationship between phosphatase and inorganic phosphorus indicates that enzyme activity was not inhibited at inorganic phosphorus levels present in the bay and that production of phosphatase by microorganisms inhabiting the bay was not repressed at the inorganic phosphorus levels in the bay. Culture experiments revealed that the formation of repressible phosphatase by bacteria isolated from the bay was not affected by the inorganic phosphorus levels in the bay.     

模拟酸雨对薇甘菊种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

薇甘菊是入侵性杂草,已在我国华南地区及云南部分地区造成严重危害。我国华南地区同时也是强酸雨分布区域。采用不同pH值的模拟酸雨对薇甘菊种子及幼苗进行处理,测定其对种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。测定了不同pH值下薇甘菊幼苗叶绿素含量、丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量、超氧阴离子产生速率、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性。结果表明,薇甘菊种子具有较强的耐酸能力,pH≥3．5时均能正常萌发,pH≤3．0时不能萌发。不同pH值模拟酸雨对薇甘菊幼苗叶绿素含量影响不显著。随着模拟酸雨pH值下降,超氧阴离子产生速率上升,丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性和过氧化物酶活性呈先上升后下降。pH3．5时,丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量、过氧化物酶活性均达最大值;pH4．0时超氧化物歧化酶活性达最大值。结果表明薇甘菊对华南地区酸雨胁迫表现出适应。     

电化学方法现场产生H2O2的影响因素及其废水处理应用

建立了以石墨碳棒为阴极,Pt为阳极,饱和甘汞电极为参比电极,Na2SO4为支持电解质溶液的H2O2制备三电极体系。对电流密度、pH值、通氧流量、支持电解质浓度和极间距等主要参数对生成H2O2的影响进行了单因素轮换试验研究,并采用正交试验方法对这些因素进行了分析。结果发现,pH值对生成H2O2的影响最为显著,支持电解质浓度和通氧流量也具有较大影响,极间距影响不明显,电流密度则存在着最佳值。通过试验获得的最优参数组合为:pH=2.00,电流密度=1.02mA·cm-2,通氧流量=0.4L·min-1,支持电解质浓度=0.1mol·L-1,极间距=6cm。在该参数组合条件下,采用电-Fenton法对活性染料RedMX-5B进行脱色和矿化试验,初始Fe2 投量为0.25mmol·L-1,电解180min,脱色率可达90%以上,但矿化率不高(<25%)。因此,提高矿化率是染料废水处理在未来的主要课题。     

Leaf herbivory and decomposability in a Malaysian tropical rain forest

There is accumulating evidence that similar suites of plant traits may affect leaf palatability and leaf litter decomposability. However, the possible association between leaf herbivory and litter decomposition rates across species in species-diverse natural ecosystems such as tropical rain forests remains unexplored, despite its importance in estimating the herbivory effects on carbon and nutrient cycling of ecosystems. We found no strong association between leaf herbivory and litter decomposition rates across 40 tree species in a Malaysian tropical rain forest, even though the leaf and litter traits were tightly correlated. This is because the leaf and litter traits related to herbivory and decomposition rates in the field were inconsistent. Leaf toughness accounted for only a small part of the variation in the herbivory rate, whereas a number of litter traits (the leaf mass per area, lignin to nitrogen ratio, and condensed tannin concentration) accurately predicted the decomposition rate across species. These results suggest that herbivory rate across species may not be strongly related to single leaf traits, probably because plant-herbivore interactions in tropical rain forests are highly diverse; on the other hand, plant-decomposer interactions are less specific and can be governed by litter chemicals. We also investigated two factors, phylogeny and tree functional types, that could affect the relationship between herbivory and decomposition across species. Phylogenetic relatedness among the species did not affect the relationship between herbivory and decomposition. In contrast, when the plants were segregated according to their leaf emergence pattern, we found a significant positive relationship between herbivory and decomposition rates for continuous-leafing species. In these species, the condensed tannin to N ratios in leaves and litter were related to herbivory and decomposition rates, respectively. However, we did not observe a similar trend for synchronous-leafing species. These results suggest that the relationship between herbivory and decomposition may be more greatly affected by functional types than by phylogenetic relatedness among species. In conclusion, our results suggest that well-defended leaves are not necessarily less decomposable litter in a tropical rain forest community, implying that herbivory may not generate positive feedback for carbon and nutrient cycling in this type of ecosystem.     

Degradation of trace nitrobenzene in water by microwave-enhanced H2O2-based process

To evaluate possible use of microwave-enhanced H₂O₂-based (MW/H₂O₂) process to degrade trace nitrobenzene (NB) in water, a series of batch experiments were conducted. The results showed that 2450MHz microwave irradiation significantly enhanced oxidative decomposition of nitrobenzene (NB) in a H₂O₂ system. About 90% NB was degraded by the MW/ H₂O₂ process in 30 min. Moreover, the MW/ H₂O₂ process could enhanced the oxidative degradation of NB even at relatively low temperature (50°C). When the initial concentration of NB was 300??g/L, the optimum ratio of H₂O₂ to NB and MW power were 70 and 300W respectively. The presence of humic acid significantly increased H₂O₂ dosage. The ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV₂₅₄) indicated degradation of NB was stepwise and some intermediates were produced. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis showed that main intermediates were nitrophenolic and carbonyl compounds.     

Biochemical responses of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze to heavy metal stress

Three heavy metals-mercury (II), copper (II) and nickel (II), each at a concentration of 10 and 100 micrograms/ml, were tested for their effects on various biochemical constituents of tea leaves. Both NI (II) and Hg (II) decreased the phenolic contents, while Cu (II) increased it to some extent. The metal treatments enhanced the activity of phenyl alanine ammonia lyase (PAL), while the activity of poly phenol oxidase (PPO) showed a decline. Heavy metal stress also decreased the chlorophyll content of the leaves, along with a significant reduction in Hill activity. Proline content increased significantly in all treatments.     

S–O–C isotopic picture of sulphate–methane–carbonate system in freshwater lakes from Poland. A review

Microbial oxidation of organic compounds (including methane), in freshwater sediments, may result in precipitation of carbonates, which may become an important geochemical archive of paleoenvironmental variations. Most probably low δ¹³C value in calcite in eutrophic systems results from an advanced oxidation of organic compounds in turbulent or/and sulphate-rich conditions. Likewise, high δ¹³C value in calcite from organic-rich sediments may evidence low redox potential of the freshwater system. Oxidation of methane and organic matter results in significant isotope effects in sulphates dissolved in water. Therefore, to better understand the origin of carbon isotope signal in carbonates, concentration and stable isotope measurements in dissolved sulphate (water column), bubble methane and calcite (freshwater sediments) have been carried out in 24 lakes, 2 ponds and 4 rivers in Poland. The highest concentration of sulphate has been detected in rivers (85.47 SO₄ ²⁻ mg/l) and an artificial lake (70.30 SO₄ ²⁻ mg/l) located in the extremely SO₄ ²⁻-polluted region called the “Black Triangle”. The lowest concentration of sulphate is found in dystrophic and mountain lakes (from 0.5 SO₄ ²⁻ to about 3 mg/l). The lowest δ³⁴S(SO₄ ²⁻) and δ¹⁸O(SO₄ ²⁻) values occur in unpolluted lakes in eastern Poland (−0.94 and 1.38‰, respectively). The highest S and O isotopic ratios are found in a polluted lake in western Poland (δ¹⁴S(SO₄ ²)=12.95‰) and in a dystrophic lake in eastern Poland (δ¹⁸O(SO₄ ²) = 16.15‰) respectively. It is proposed that δ³⁴SO₄ ²⁻ and (¹⁸O(SO₄ ²⁻) values in lakes represent a good tool to assess and quantify anthropogenic impact by acid precipitation and to monitor variations in the trophic state and redox processes controlled by biodegradation of organic compounds in sediments and water column. In general, increasing depth (up to 12 m) of the water column is associated with decreasing trend the δ¹³C(CH₄) value from about –35 to about –78‰. However, δ¹³C value in sedimentary calcite (δ¹³C vary from –10 to 0.5‰) shows opposite trends as compared to the corresponding methane. This is probably due to redox processes and distribution of heavy isotopes between methane and calcite. Likewise, turbulent water (river) show high δ¹³C value in methane and low δ¹³C value in calcite—this is probably due to an enhanced oxidation of methane producing ¹³C-depleted CO₂. In contrast to clean lakes, it is observed that an increase of the δ¹³C(CH₄) value occurs with increasing depth of the water column in a strongly SO₄ ²⁻-contaminated lake. This is probably due to a loss of biological buffering potential of the lake accompanied by an active oxidation of methane precursors.     

深圳市酸雨变化特征及形成原因分析

深圳市长年属于较重酸雨区,对城市生态带来重要影响,酸雨污染已经成为当前迫切需要解决的环境问题。为了了解近年来深圳市降水的变化特征及污染状况,利用2001—-2011年的降水监测数据,分析了降水酸化程度及化学组分特征,探讨了致酸原因,’为酸雨污染控制对策制定提供基础依据。研究结果表明,深圳市酸雨污染在2004--2006年达到较高水平（降水pH值4,49～4．59）,2007年以来明显有所改善（降水pH值4．73～5．02）,酸雨频率也显著降低。在时间变化上呈现夏季酸雨污染相对较严重,在空间变化上表现出宝安区和龙岗区酸雨污染相对较轻。相对于北京等城市,深圳市降水中离子浓度较低,同时大气中污染物浓度也较低,表明深圳市降水比较清洁,但由于大气中碱性物质含量较低,导致降水酸性较强。深圳市近年降水[SO42-]／[NO3-]的比值不断下降并低于2,硫酸硝酸混合型酸雨特征明显,表明机动车对降水酸性的影响不断增强。Cl-和Na＋对降水阴阳离子的贡献较高（分别达到24％和30％）,反映降水受海洋的影响较大。深圳与广州、东莞、佛山等城市的降水酸度和酸雨频率变化趋势较为一致,区域传输对酸雨形成也有重要影响。     

Self-organization of tropical seasonal rain forest in southwest China

How to measure development of ecosystems is both a theoretical and practical question in ecology. Species richness and biomass accumulation are familiar figures of merit, but they cannot be instant watched. Self-organization is a tacit character. However, methods to measure the degree of self-organization of ecosystem are problematic. To this end Lin et al. (2009) have devised indicators of energy capture and dissipation so that self-organization defined via maximum energy dissipation can be quantified easily. Here the method is used to analyze long-term data (2004-2006) of a tropical seasonal rain forest included in the ChinaFLUX program. Three years of average self-organization values were clearly separated by seasonal variation. Reflection and long wave radiation are the main two pathways of energy loss. For tropical seasonal rain forest studied, long wave radiation contributed most to energy loss, and was negatively correlated with energy capture ability (Rn/DR). The nocturnal difference between canopy and air temperatures had a strong negative correlation with the long wave radiation loss ratio. However, the long wave radiation loss ratio was slightly lower than the reflection loss ratio in rainy season, when values were very low. Precipitation and wind had significant impact on energy dissipation ability in the hot dry season, but the correlation coefficients between precipitation and wind with thermal response numbers (TRNs) were very low. The results indicated that the self-organization estimation system based on “maximum energy dissipation theory” is applicable for tropical forest.     

降雨过程后北京城区PM2.5日时空变化研究

随着人类环境意识的增强,人们对城市雾霾天气的忧虑与日俱增,PM2.5的时空变化和对人体健康的影响已成为关注的焦点。以往的研究多集中在不同季节或年际的变化,本文通过统计环保局发布的位于北京城区13个逐时浓度监测点降雨前后PM2.5质量浓度,并在城区布设14个采样点昼夜连续监测一次降雨后72 h内PM2.5质量浓度变化情况,研究北京市城区降雨后PM2.5日变化规律及空间分布特征,由此分析降雨对PM2.5日变化规律的影响。同时对比PM2.5与同步气象数据（温度、相对湿度）和交通数据（车辆量、车速）最值频率分布情况,进而对PM2.5日变化特征进行成因分析。随后利用GIS空间分析方法,分析了PM2.5的日空间分布特征。结果表明,降雨对颗粒物的去除作用明显,一次降雨可使PM2.5质量浓度平均下降56.3%。雨后72 h内PM2.5质量浓度均小于60μg·m-3,降雨后1 h内PM2.5质量浓度处于稳定状态,在随后的12 h内PM2.5浓度值都处于下降状态。降雨过程只降低PM2.5的质量浓度值,并不影响其日变化规律。PM2.5的日变化规律以19时为界,表现出明显的昼夜差异。白天的变化规律呈现凹型,夜间的变化规律呈现拱型。PM2.5质量浓度峰值多出现在23时或0时,谷值多出现在下午15时,该特征受气象因素影响较大,受交通源的影响作用不明显。早高峰期间,PM2.5质量浓度变化主要受交通源的影响;晚高峰期间,交通源和气象因素共同影响PM2.5质量浓度。研究区PM2.5日空间分布特征同样存在明显的昼夜差异。白天PM2.5空间分布特征为南部高北部低;PM2.5在夜间的空间分布特征则多表现为四周高、中心低,三环外围区域多为高值区。     

Aboveground and belowground effects of single-tree removals in New Zealand rain forest

There has been considerable recent interest in how human-induced species loss affects community and ecosystem properties. These effects are particularly apparent when a commercially valuable species is harvested from an ecosystem, such as occurs through single-tree harvesting or selective logging of desired timber species in natural forests. In New Zealand mixed-species rain forests, single-tree harvesting of the emergent gymnosperm Dacrydium cupressinum, or rimu, has been widespread. This harvesting has been contentious in part because of possible ecological impacts of Dacrydium removal on the remainder of the forest, but many of these effects remain unexplored. We identified an area where an unintended 40-year "removal experiment" had been set up that involved selective extraction of individual Dacrydium trees. We measured aboveground and belowground variables at set distances from both individual live trees and stumps of trees harvested 40 years ago. Live trees had effects both above and below ground by affecting diversity and cover of several components of the vegetation (usually negatively), promoting soil C sequestration, enhancing ratios of soil C:P and N:P, and affecting community structure of soil microflora. These effects extended to 8 m from the tree base and were likely caused by poor-quality litter and humus produced by the trees. Measurements for the stumps revealed strong legacy effects of prior presence of trees on some properties (e.g., cover by understory herbs and ferns, soil C sequestration, soil C:P and N:P ratios), but not others (e.g., soil fungal biomass, soil N concentration). These results suggest that the legacy of prior presence of Dacrydium may remain for several decades or centuries, and certainly well over 40 years. They also demonstrate that, while large Dacrydium individuals (and their removal) may have important effects in their immediate proximity, within a forest, these effects should only be important in localized patches containing high densities of large trees. Finally, this study emphasizes that deliberate extraction of a particular tree species from a forest can exert influences both above and below ground if the removed species has a different functional role than that of the other plant species present.