scholarly journals Depletion of atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury by plant uptake at Mt. Changbai, Northeast China

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (20) ◽  
pp. 12861-12873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuewu Fu ◽  
Wei Zhu ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Jonas Sommar ◽  
Ben Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Chemical Oxidation ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Pinus Koraiensis ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Gaseous Elemental Mercury

Abstract. There exists observational evidence that gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) can be readily removed from the atmosphere via chemical oxidation followed by deposition in the polar and sub-polar regions, free troposphere, lower stratosphere, and marine boundary layer under specific environmental conditions. Here we report GEM depletions in a temperate mixed forest at Mt. Changbai, Northeast China. The strong depletions occurred predominantly at night during the leaf-growing season and in the absence of gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) enrichment (GOM  <  3 pg m−3). Vertical gradients of decreasing GEM concentrations from layers above to under forest canopy suggest in situ loss of GEM to forest canopy at Mt. Changbai. Foliar GEM flux measurements showed that the foliage of two predominant tree species is a net sink of GEM at night, with a mean flux of −1.8 ± 0.3 ng m2 h−1 over Fraxinus mandshurica (deciduous tree species) and −0.1 ± 0.2 ng m2 h−1 over Pinus Koraiensis (evergreen tree species). Daily integrated GEM δ202Hg, Δ199Hg, and Δ200Hg at Mt. Changbai during 8–18 July 2013 ranged from −0.34 to 0.91 ‰, from −0.11 to −0.04 ‰ and from −0.06 to 0.01 ‰, respectively. A large positive shift in GEM δ202Hg occurred during the strong GEM depletion events, whereas Δ199Hg and Δ200Hg remained essentially unchanged. The observational findings and box model results show that uptake of GEM by forest canopy plays a predominant role in the GEM depletion at Mt. Changbai forest. Such depletion events of GEM are likely to be a widespread phenomenon, suggesting that the forest ecosystem represents one of the largest sinks ( ∼ 1930 Mg) of atmospheric Hg on a global scale.

scholarly journals Depletion of atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury by plant uptake at Mt. Changbai, Northeast China

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuewu Fu ◽  
Wei Zhu ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Jonas Sommar ◽  
Xu Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northeast China ◽  
Lower Stratosphere ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Chemical Oxidation ◽  
Observational Evidence ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Gaseous Elemental Mercury

Abstract. There exists observational evidence that GEM can be readily removed from the atmosphere via chemical oxidation followed by deposition in the polar and sub-polar regions, free troposphere, lower stratosphere, and marine boundary layer under specific environmental conditions. Here we report GEM depletions in a temperate mixed forest at Mt. Changbai, Northeast China. The depletion occurred exclusively at night during leaf-growing season and in the absence of GOM enrichment (GOM 

scholarly journals Application of a Three-Dimensional Radiative Transfer Model to Retrieve the Species Composition of a Mixed Forest Stand from Canopy Reflected Radiation

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Levashova ◽  
Dmitry Lukyanenko ◽  
Yulia Mukhartova ◽  
Alexander Olchev
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Forest Stand ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model

The paper introduces a three-dimensional model to derive the spatial patterns of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reflected and absorbed by a non-uniform forest canopy with a multi-species structure, as well as a model algorithm application to retrieve forest canopy composition from reflected PAR measured along some trajectory above the forest stand. This radiative transfer model is based on steady-state transport equations, initially suggested by Ross, and considers the radiative transfer as a function of the structure of individual trees and forest canopy, optical properties of photosynthesizing and non-photosynthesizing parts of the different tree species, soil reflection, and the ratio of incoming direct and diffuse solar radiation. Numerical experiments showed that reflected solar radiation of a typical mixed forest stand consisting of coniferous and deciduous tree species was strongly governed by canopy structure, soil properties and sun elevation. The suggested algorithm based on the developed model allows for retrieving the proportion of different tree species in a mixed forest stand from measured canopy reflection coefficients. The method accuracy strictly depends on the number of points for canopy reflection measurements.

scholarly journals A synthesis of atmospheric mercury depletion event chemistry linking atmosphere, snow and water

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 10837-10931 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Steffen ◽  
T. Douglas ◽  
M. Amyot ◽  
P. Ariya ◽  
K. Aspmo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Kinetic Studies ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Atmospheric Mercury ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Environmental Media ◽  
Gaseous Elemental Mercury ◽  
History Of

Abstract. It was discovered in 1995 that, during the spring time, unexpectedly low concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) occurred in the Arctic air. This was surprising for a pollutant known to have a long residence time in the atmosphere; however conditions appeared to exist in the Arctic that promoted this depletion of mercury (Hg). This phenomenon is termed atmospheric mercury depletion events (AMDEs) and its discovery has revolutionized our understanding of the cycling of Hg in Polar Regions while stimulating a significant amount of research to understand its impact to this fragile ecosystem. Shortly after the discovery was made in Canada, AMDEs were confirmed to occur throughout the Arctic, sub-Artic and Antarctic coasts. It is now known that, through a series of photochemically initiated reactions involving halogens, GEM is converted to a more reactive species and is subsequently associated to particles in the air and/or deposited to the polar environment. AMDEs are a means by which Hg is transferred from the atmosphere to the environment that was previously unknown. In this article we review the history of Hg in Polar Regions, the methods used to collect Hg in different environmental media, research results of the current understanding of AMDEs from field, laboratory and modeling work, how Hg cycles around the environment after AMDEs, gaps in our current knowledge and the future impacts that AMDEs may have on polar environments. The research presented has shown that while considerable improvements in methodology to measure Hg have been made the main limitation remains knowing the speciation of Hg in the various media. The processes that drive AMDEs and how they occur are discussed. As well, the roles that the snow pack, oceans, fresh water and the sea ice play in the cycling of Hg are presented. It has been found that deposition of Hg from AMDEs occurs at marine coasts and not far inland and that a fraction of the deposited Hg does not remain in the same form in the snow. Kinetic studies undertaken have demonstrated that bromine is the major oxidant depleting Hg in the atmosphere. Modeling results demonstrate that there is a significant deposition of Hg to Polar Regions as a result of AMDEs. Models have also shown that Hg is readily transported to the Arctic from source regions, at times during springtime when this environment is actively transforming Hg from the atmosphere to the snow and ice surfaces. The presence of significant amounts of methyl Hg in snow in the Arctic surrounding AMDEs is important because this species is the link between the environment and impacts to wildlife and humans. Further, much work on methylation and demethylation processes have occurred but are not yet fully understood. Recent changes in the climate and sea ice cover in Polar Regions are likely to have strong effects on the cycling of Hg in this environment; however more research is needed to understand Hg processes in order to formulate meaningful predictions of these changes. Mercury, Atmospheric mercury depletion events (AMDE), Polar, Arctic, Antarctic, Ice

scholarly journals Measurement-based modeling of daytime and nighttime oxidation of atmospheric mercury

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maor Gabay ◽  
Mordechai Peleg ◽  
Erick Fredj ◽  
Eran Tas
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limit ◽  
Rate Constant ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Chemical Oxidation ◽  
Atmospheric Mercury ◽  
Gaseous Elemental Mercury ◽  
Measurement Results ◽  
Kinetic Calculations ◽  
First Time

Abstract. Accurate characterization of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) chemical oxidation pathways and their kinetics is critically important for assessing the transfer of atmospheric mercury to bioaquatic systems. Recent comprehensive field measurements have suggested that the nitrate radical (NO3) plays a role in efficient nighttime oxidation of GEM, and that the role of the hydroxyl radical (OH) as a GEM oxidant has been underestimated. We used the CAABA/MECCA chemical box model and additional kinetic calculations to analyze these measurement results, in order to investigate the nighttime and daytime oxidation of GEM. We assumed a second-order reaction for the NO3 induced nighttime oxidation of GEM. Our analysis demonstrated that nighttime oxidation of GEM has to be included in the model to account for the measured variations in nighttime reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) concentration. A lower limit and best-fit rate constant for GEM nighttime oxidation are provided. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a rate for nighttime oxidation of GEM has been determined based on field measurements. Our analysis further indicates that OH has a much more important role in GEM oxidation than commonly considered. A lower-limit rate constant for the OH–RGM reaction is provided.

Drought acclimation of two deciduous tree species of different layers in a temperate forest canopy

Trees ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfram Hartung ◽  
�lo Niinemets ◽  
Kr��t Aasamaa ◽  
Anu S�ber
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Drought Acclimation

scholarly journals A synthesis of atmospheric mercury depletion event chemistry in the atmosphere and snow

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1445-1482 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Steffen ◽  
T. Douglas ◽  
M. Amyot ◽  
P. Ariya ◽  
K. Aspmo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Kinetic Studies ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Atmospheric Mercury ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Environmental Media ◽  
Gaseous Elemental Mercury ◽  
Low Concentrations

Abstract. It was discovered in 1995 that, during the spring time, unexpectedly low concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) occurred in the Arctic air. This was surprising for a pollutant known to have a long residence time in the atmosphere; however conditions appeared to exist in the Arctic that promoted this depletion of mercury (Hg). This phenomenon is termed atmospheric mercury depletion events (AMDEs) and its discovery has revolutionized our understanding of the cycling of Hg in Polar Regions while stimulating a significant amount of research to understand its impact to this fragile ecosystem. Shortly after the discovery was made in Canada, AMDEs were confirmed to occur throughout the Arctic, sub-Artic and Antarctic coasts. It is now known that, through a series of photochemically initiated reactions involving halogens, GEM is converted to a more reactive species and is subsequently associated to particles in the air and/or deposited to the polar environment. AMDEs are a means by which Hg is transferred from the atmosphere to the environment that was previously unknown. In this article we review Hg research taken place in Polar Regions pertaining to AMDEs, the methods used to collect Hg in different environmental media, research results of the current understanding of AMDEs from field, laboratory and modeling work, how Hg cycles around the environment after AMDEs, gaps in our current knowledge and the future impacts that AMDEs may have on polar environments. The research presented has shown that while considerable improvements in methodology to measure Hg have been made but the main limitation remains knowing the speciation of Hg in the various media. The processes that drive AMDEs and how they occur are discussed. As well, the role that the snow pack and the sea ice play in the cycling of Hg is presented. It has been found that deposition of Hg from AMDEs occurs at marine coasts and not far inland and that a fraction of the deposited Hg does not remain in the same form in the snow. Kinetic studies undertaken have demonstrated that bromine is the major oxidant depleting Hg in the atmosphere. Modeling results demonstrate that there is a significant deposition of Hg to Polar Regions as a result of AMDEs. Models have also shown that Hg is readily transported to the Arctic from source regions, at times during springtime when this environment is actively transforming Hg from the atmosphere to the snow and ice surfaces. The presence of significant amounts of methyl Hg in snow in the Arctic surrounding AMDEs is important because this species is the link between the environment and impacts to wildlife and humans. Further, much work on methylation and demethylation processes has occurred but these processes are not yet fully understood. Recent changes in the climate and sea ice cover in Polar Regions are likely to have strong effects on the cycling of Hg in this environment; however more research is needed to understand Hg processes in order to formulate meaningful predictions of these changes.

Potential of UltraCamX stereo images for estimating timber volume and basal area at the plot level in mixed European forests

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 731-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Straub ◽  
Christoph Stepper ◽  
Rudolf Seitz ◽  
Lars T. Waser
Keyword(s):  
Point Cloud ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Stereo Images ◽  
Timber Volume ◽  
European Forests ◽  
Forest Attributes

Current technical advances in the field of digital photogrammetry demonstrate the great potential of automatic image matching for deriving dense surface measurements of the forest canopy. In contrast to airborne laser scanning (ALS), aerial stereo images are updated more regularly by national or regional mapping agencies in several countries. Frequently, ALS-based terrain models (DTMs) are available, and thus photogrammetric canopy heights can be derived. However, currently, there is little knowledge as to how accurately forest attributes can be modeled using the aerial stereo images acquired by these official, regular aerial surveys, especially for mixed forests in central Europe. Thus, a photogrammetric point cloud derived from UltraCamX stereo images in combination with an ALS-DTM and a classification of coniferous and deciduous tree regions (based on orthoimages) was used to create a stratified estimation of timber volume and basal area in a mixed forest in Germany. Suitable models were derived at the plot level using explanatory variables from the photogrammetric point cloud (which was normalized using an ALS-DTM). The prior stratification of conifer- and deciduous-dominated field plots slightly improved the estimation accuracy. The results verify that stereo images can be an alternative to ALS data for modeling key forest attributes, even in mixed central European forests with complex structure.

Spatial Variability in Physical Soil Properties in a Pinus koraiensis-Dominated Broadleaved Mixed Forest Gap in Xiao Xing’an Mountains of Northeast China

2012 ◽  
Vol 518-523 ◽  
pp. 4761-4765
Author(s):  
Wen Biao Duan ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Li Xin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Grid Method ◽  
Spatial Distance ◽  
Pinus Koraiensis ◽  
Forest Gap ◽  
Anisotropic Structures

Locations of sampling points in Pinus koraiensis-dominated broadleaved mixed forest gap in Xiao Xing’an Mountains of Northeast China were determined by grid method. Spatial variability in physical soil properties (PSPs) at those locations in 2 depths of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm was analyzed by descriptive statistics and geostatistics. The results indicated that soil water content (SWC), saturated moisture capacity, capillary water-holding capacity and porosity were higher in 0–20 cm than in 20–40 cm except for bulk density. PSPs in 0–20 cm had relatively higher ranges and coefficients of variation. The total and autocorrelative spatial heterogeneity in PSPs were larger in 0–20 cm than in 20–40 cm. SWC had a strong anisotropic structure in an easterly and northerly direction, but porosity exhibited isotropy structure in the same directions. With increasing spatial distance, the three other PSPs presented anisotropic structures. Within spatial autocorrelative range, the interactive effect between semivariograms of PSPs in 0–20 cm was not significant. For spatial distribution of PSPs in 2 different depths, the patches with the middle and lower ranks dominated in the forest gap. Patches with higher rank were only distributed in 0–20 cm and were located north of the forest gap.

Assessing the atmosphere-surface exchange of gaseous elemental mercury using passive air samplers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Si ◽  
Michelle Feigis ◽  
Isabel Quant ◽  
Shreya Mistry ◽  
Melanie Snow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Permafrost Degradation ◽  
Concentration Gradients ◽  
Surface Exchange ◽  
Gaseous Elemental Mercury ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Impact

&lt;p&gt;The specific properties of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) allow it to undergo bidirectional exchange between the atmosphere and the Earth&amp;#8217;s surface. Determining the direction and the magnitude of GEM&amp;#8217;s atmosphere-surface flux is possible and has been accomplished using micrometeorological and chamber techniques, but (i) is complex and labor-intensive, and (ii) often only yields fluxes over relatively short time scales. A recently developed passive air sampler for GEM has the precision required for identifying and quantifying vertical concentration gradients above the Earth&amp;#8217;s surface. The feasibility and performance of this approach is currently being tested in a number of field studies aimed at the: (i) measurement of GEM concentration gradients above both mercury-contaminated and background forest soils, (ii) quantification of vertical concentration gradients on a tower through a temperate deciduous forest canopy, and (iii) measurement of mercury concentration gradients over stable and thawing permafrost to determine the effect of permafrost degradation on GEM evasion. Contrasting with earlier flux studies, these investigations cover long time periods (up to 1.5 years) and have coarse temporal resolution (monthly to seasonally). Significant gradients of GEM air concentrations, both increasing and decreasing with height above ground, were observed, implying that at a minimum, the method is able to identify the flux direction of GEM. Under the right circumstances, this method can also be used to estimate the approximate magnitude of the GEM air-surface exchange flux. The measured gradients also reveal the impact of factors such as temperature, solar irradiance, and snow cover on air-surface exchange. The method holds promise for establishing the direction and size of exchange fluxes at long time scales of months to a year, especially in study areas where access, effort and cost are prohibitive to longer duration studies with existing approaches.&lt;/p&gt;

A bottom up approach to quantify foliar uptake of gaseous elemental mercury by European forests during the 2018 growing season

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Wohlgemuth ◽  
Stefan Osterwalder ◽  
Günter Hoch ◽  
Christine Alewell ◽  
Martin Jiskra
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Accumulation Rates ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Deposition Fluxes ◽  
Gaseous Elemental Mercury ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Hg Accumulation

&lt;p&gt;The deposition of gaseous elemental mercury, Hg(0), from the atmosphere to terrestrial surfaces remains poorly understood mainly due to difficulties in measuring net Hg(0) fluxes on the ecosystem scale. However, there is emerging evidence that vegetation uptake of atmospheric Hg(0) represents a major deposition pathway to terrestrial surfaces. We will present a novel bottom up approach to calculate Hg(0) deposition fluxes to aboveground foliage by combining foliar Hg accumulation rates on the basis of leaf area with species-specific leaf area indices. We analyzed Hg content in 583 foliage samples from major tree species at 10 European forested research sites along a latitudinal gradient from Switzerland to Northern Finland over the course of the 2018 growing season. Foliar Hg concentrations increased over time in all tree species at all sites. We found that foliar Hg accumulation rates normalized to leaf area increased with crown height and decreased with the age of multi-year old needles. We did not detect a clear latitudinal gradient in foliar Hg accumulation rates.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On an ecosystem scale we developed a simple bottom up approach for foliar Hg(0) uptake considering the systematic variations in crown height, needle age and tree species. We calculated species-specific average foliar Hg(0) dry deposition rates for the 2018 growing season of 22 &amp;#177; 4 &amp;#181;g Hg m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; for beech, 16 &amp;#177; 8 &amp;#181;g Hg m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; for oak, 3 &amp;#177; 0.4 &amp;#181;g Hg m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; for birch, 18 &amp;#177; 10 &amp;#181;g Hg m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; for spruce and 8 &amp;#177; 4 &amp;#181;g Hg m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; for pine. For comparison, the average Hg wet deposition flux measured at 4 of our 10 research sites during the same time period was 2.5 &amp;#177; 0.2 &amp;#181;g Hg m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Scaling up site-specific deposition rates to the forested area of Europe (EU28) resulted in a total aboveground Hg(0) deposition to foliage of approximately 20 Mg during the 2018 growing season. Our results confirm that vegetation uptake of atmospheric Hg(0) represents a major deposition pathway to terrestrial surfaces. The bottom up approach we used is a promising method to quantify Hg(0) deposition fluxes based on easy-to-do Hg concentration measurements in foliage.&lt;/p&gt;

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