Issue 10, 2010

Biogeochemical effects of forest vegetation on acid precipitation-related water chemistry: A case study in southwest China

Abstract

The elemental composition of rainwater, throughfall, and soil solutions of a forest ecosystem in the acid rain control region of southwest China was investigated during 2007–2008 to assess the acid buffering capacity of different forest covers. A possible seasonal distribution of wet deposition was identified. Sulfur was determined as the dominant acidification precursor in this region. The chemical composition of rainfall intercepted by the forest canopy was modified substantially; generally the ion concentrations were increased by dry deposition and foliar leaching. As an exception, the concentration of NH4+ and NO3 decreased in throughfall, which was probably due to the absorption of nitrogen by the leaves. Elemental concentrations in soil solutions decreased with depth. The water conservation capacity of different forests was also evaluated. The most appropriate forest vegetation for water conservation and remediation of acid precipitation in this region was explored for the sake of ecosystem management, ecological restoration and economic development.

Graphical abstract: Biogeochemical effects of forest vegetation on acid precipitation-related water chemistry: A case study in southwest China

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
13 Apr 2010
Accepted
06 Aug 2010
First published
22 Sep 2010

J. Environ. Monit., 2010,12, 1799-1806

Biogeochemical effects of forest vegetation on acid precipitation-related water chemistry: A case study in southwest China

J. Chen, W. Li and F. Gao, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, 12, 1799 DOI: 10.1039/C0EM00116C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Spotlight

Advertisements