Evidence for Acidification-Driven Ecosystem Collapse of Danish Erica tetralix Wet Heathland

We report observations of disappearance of Erica tetralix in wet heathland, which is unlikely to be caused by competition, as E. tetralix is dying before its place is taken up by other species. To investigate the causes, we used both old and new data. Results showed that presence of Molinia caerulea and Calluna vulgaris were substantial in the former E. tetralix dominated areas. Measurements of the C/N ratio in the morlayer were between 21 and 26 under the E. tetralix stands. As the expected C/N ratio in a healthy nutrient poor ecosystem like the E. tetralix wet heathland is around 30, this indicates that the ratio is probably decreasing and, correspondingly, the probability of nitrogen leaching from the ecosystem is increasing. The morlayer pH was extremely low—between 3.03 and 3.78. This represents a pH decline since the 1960s, where pH values generally were above 4. This supports the hypothesis that the decrease in morlayer pH is the major factor explaining the disappearance of E. tetralix and that measures to increase pH should be considered as part of the recommendations for relevant future management.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-012-0251-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Processes affecting the movement of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) between soil and air in an industrial site in Turkey

Soil and atmospheric concentrations, dry deposition and soil-air gas exchange of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were investigated at an industrial site in Aliaga, Izmir, Turkey. Current-use pesticides, endosulfan and chlorpyrifos, had the highest atmospheric levels in summer and winter. Summertime total (gas + particle) OCP concentrations in air were higher, probably due to increased volatilization at higher temperatures and seasonal local/regional applications of current-use pesticides. Particle deposition fluxes were generally higher in summer than in winter. Overall average dry particle deposition velocity for all the OCPs was 4.9 ± 4.1 cm s⁻¹ (average ± SD). ΣDDXs (sum of p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD, and p,p′-DDE) were the most abundant OCPs in Aliaga soils (n = 48), probably due to their heavy historical use and persistence. Calculated fugacity ratios and average net gas fluxes across the soil-air interface indicated volatilization for α-CHL, γ-CHL, heptachlorepoxide, cis-nonachlor, trans-nonachlor, and p,p′-DDT in summer, and for α-CHL, γ-CHL, trans-nonachlor, endosulfan sulfate, and p,p′-DDT in winter. For the remaining OCPs, soil acted as a sink during both seasons. Comparison of the determined fluxes showed that dry particle, gas-phase, and wet deposition are significant OCP input mechanisms to the soil in the study area.     

The importance of ammonium mobility in nitrogen-impacted unfertilized grasslands: A critical reassessment

The physico-chemical absorption characteristics of ammonium-N for 10 soils from 5 profiles in York, UK, show its high potential mobility in N deposition-impacted, unfertilized, permanent grassland soils. Substantial proportions of ammonium-N inputs were retained in the solution phase, indicating that ammonium translocation plays an important role in the N cycling in, and losses from, such soils. This conclusion was further supported by measuring the ammonium-N leaching from intact plant/soil microcosms. The ammonium-N absorption characteristics apparently varied with soil pH, depth and soil texture. It was concluded for the most acid soils especially that ammonium-N leached from litter horizons could be seriously limiting the capacity of underlying soils to retain ammonium. Contrary to common opinion, more attention therefore needs to be paid to ammonium leaching and its potential role in biogeochemical N cycling in semi-natural soil systems subject to atmospheric pollution.     

Quantifying local traffic contributions to NO2 and NH3 concentrations in natural habitats

NO₂ and NH₃ concentrations were measured across a Special Area for Conservation in southern England, at varying distances from the local road network. Exceedances of the critical levels for these pollutants were recorded at nearly all roadside locations, extending up to 20 m away from roads at some sites. Further, paired measurements of NH₃ and NO₂ concentrations revealed differences between ground and tree canopy levels. At “background” sites, away from the direct influence of roads, concentrations were higher within tree canopies than at ground level; the reverse pattern was, however, seen at roadside locations. Calculations of pollutant deposition rates showed that nitrogen inputs are dominated by NH₃ at roadside sites. This study demonstrates that local traffic emissions contribute substantially to the exceedance of critical levels and critical loads, and suggests that on-site monitoring is needed for sites of nature conservation value which are in close proximity to local transport routes.     

pH对沟渠沉积物截留农田排水沟渠中氮、磷的影响研究

通过摇瓶动态实验和箱体静止实验,研究了不同pH条件下沟渠沉积物对农田流失氮、磷的截留效应,分析了pH对氮、磷截留效应及其界面交换作用的影响.结果表明:在实验pH变化范围内,沟渠沉积物对NH 4-N的吸附量和NO-2-N的硝化量以及对TN的截留率都是随着pH的增加而增加;沟渠沉积物对总溶解性磷(TDP)的吸附量随着pH的增加而增加,TP的截留率在5 d前随pH的增加而增加,但在此后基本不发生变化;在不同的pH下,通过影响微生物的活动直接或间接影响氮的界面交换行为,同时pH通过影响沉积物的吸附作用和离子交换作用来影响磷在沉积物-水界面的交换行为.阐明pH对沟渠沉积物氮、磷截留效应的影响有助于掌握氮、磷在农田排水沟渠中的迁移转化机理,从而对控制农业面源污染具有重要的意义.     

"十一五"脱硫计划实施前后长三角地区的硫沉降变化

采用RAINS ASIA模型研究了"十一五"期间长三角地区实施脱硫措施前后硫沉降超临界负荷的变化.结果表明,在90%保证率下,长三角地区硫沉降的临界负荷(以S计,下同)总值为78.38万t/a;2005年该地区硫沉降的超临界负荷总值为27.98万t/a,有45.6%区域面积的硫沉降超过临界负荷;如果不实施脱硫措施,到2010年长三角地区硫沉降超临界负荷的情景将急剧恶化,硫沉降超临界负荷总值将增长18.4%,超临界负荷的区域面积将增加到48.7%;"十一五"脱硫计划如期实施后,2010年长三角地区硫沉降超临界负荷总值将在2005年的基础上下降27.4%,但仍有39.1%的区域面积超过临界负荷,须采取更严格的措施控制硫沉降量.     

象山港海域N、P污染特征及潜在性富营养化程度评价

根据2002年4～9月份象山港海域表层海水N、P营养盐监测基础资料,分析探讨了象山港海域在赤潮多发期N、P污染的时空变化特征,并利用潜在性富营养化评价模式,对整个象山港海域水质富营养化程度进行了评价。结果表明：在赤潮多发期,象山港海域水质N、P污染严重,表层海水DIN指标数倍于Ⅳ类海水最大允许值,明显呈现高N、低P的污染特征;由于受港湾季节性生态环境的演变和陆源径流的影响,象山港海域N、P污染存在明显的空间分异和时间变化特征。NO2-N含量也会因硝化细菌活动的加剧而增加;潜在性富营养化评价结果表明：在赤潮多发期,整个象山港海域由于P的限制,总体上处于潜在性富营养化阶段。     

大气边界层中起尘、降尘过程的模拟实验的相似性原则

风洞模拟实验是研究起、降尘过程最有效的手段。前人只研究了低湍流度气流中,平坦表面的实际起尘过程。作者提出一组扩展的相似性原则,用于模拟大气边界层湍流及复杂地形对趋、降尘过程的影响及防尘风障在此条件下的减尘效率,并得到一系列有意义的结果。      

Characterization particulate matter from several Chinese cooking dishes and implications in health effects

Cooking fume produced by oil and food at a high temperature releases large amount of fine particulate matter(PM) which have a potential hazard to human health. This chamber study investigated particle emission characteristics originated from using four types of oil(soybean oil, olive oil, peanut oil and lard) and different kinds of food materials(meat and vegetable). The corresponding emission factors(EFs) of number, mass, surface area and volume for particles were discussed. Temporal variation of size-fractionated particle concentration showed that olive oil produced the highest number PM concentration for the entire cooking process. Multiple path particle dosimetry(MPPD) model was performed to predict deposition in the human respiratory tract. Results showed that the pulmonary airway deposition fraction was the largest. It was also found that particles produced from olive oil led to the highest deposition. We strongly recommend minimizing the moisture content of ingredients before cooking and giving priority to the use of peanut oil instead of olive oil to reduce human exposure to PM.     

厌氧/好氧SPNDPR系统实现低C/N城市污水同步脱氮除磷的优化运行

为了解同步短程硝化内源反硝化除磷(SPNDPR)系统的脱氮除磷特性,以低C/N城市污水为处理对象,采用延时厌氧(180 min)/好氧运行的SBR反应器,通过联合调控曝气量和好氧时间,考察了该系统启动与优化运行特性.结果表明,当系统好氧段曝气量为0. 8 L·min~(-1),好氧时间为150 min时,出水PO_4~(3-)-P浓度约为1. 5 mg·L~(-1)左右,出水NH_4~+-N和NO_3~--N浓度由10. 28 mg·L~(-1)和8. 14 mg·L~(-1)逐渐降低至0 mg·L~(-1)和2. 27 mg·L~(-1),出水NO_2~--N浓度逐渐升高至1. 81 mg·L~(-1);当曝气量提高至1. 0 L·min~(-1)且好氧时间缩短至120min后,系统除磷、短程硝化性能逐渐增强,但总氮(TN)去除性能先降低后逐渐升高,最终出水PO_4~(3-)-P、NH_4~+-N分别稳定低于0. 5 mg·L~(-1)和1. 0 mg·L~(-1),好氧段亚硝积累率和SND率分别达98. 65%和44. 20%,TN去除率达79. 78%. SPNDPR系统内好氧段好氧吸磷、反硝化除磷、短程硝化、内源反硝化同时进行保证了低C/N污水的同步脱氮除磷.