Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on Needle Wettability and Rain Retention by Two Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) Clones

1991

3 Abb., 26 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

9716

200089334

The effect of simulated rain acidity (pH 2.6, 3.4, 4.2, and 5.6) on wettability and rain retention was investigated for elongating needles on stecklings of two Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) (Bong.) Carr) clones over an 11-week period. There were highly significant differences in contact angle between pH treatments, clones, and sample dates. Contact angles on needles of both clones exposed at (Formel) were significantly smaller than those on needles exposed at pH 5.6. Needles from both clones exposed to simulated rain at (Formel) retained significantly more simulated rain containing sodium fluorescein. These changes to needle surface properties following realistic exposure to simulated acid rain could have important consequences for processes occurring at the phylloplane, such as ion exchange.