Quantitative variation in the elemental composition of Scots pine Needles Along a Pollutant Gradient

1989

3 Abb., 3 Tab., 43 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

2767

200014364

Quantitative variation in the elemental composition of living Scots pine needles was studied along an atmospheric pollutant gradient in the surroundings of the industrial town of Harjavalta, southwestern Finland. Two 9-km-long transects, each with nine sample plots, running to the S and SW from a distinctive factory complex were delimited in a homogeneous pine forest. Needle samples were taken from 10 trees at each site, and from two separate sites in Tuusula near Helsinki. There was considerable spatial variation in the elemental composition of the needles. Heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Zn) showed a clear pattern of exponentially decreasing concentration with increasing distance from the emission source. Sodium and potassium concentrations, as well as the ash weight and air-dry weight, also decreased. Magnesium, manganese and calcium concentrations increased with increasing distance.