Trace Metals and Radionuclides in Austrian Forest Ecosystems

Spatial variability of trace metals in Podzols of northern forest ecosystems: Sampling implications

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/s03-007 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 83 (5) ◽

pp. 581-587 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

J. D. MacDonald ◽

W. H. Hendershot

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Spatial Variability ◽

Point Source ◽

Forest Ecosystems ◽

Physical Factors ◽

Individual Plant ◽

Forest Site ◽

Organic Carbon Content ◽

Metal Concentrations ◽

Northern Forest

The concentrations of metals in soils are spatially heterogeneous and soil sampling carried out when studying metals in forest ecosystems is often inadequate. We examined the spatial variability of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in northern forest ecosystems on a transect with distance from two point source emitters with the goal of providing basic information about the distribution and variability of metals in these soils. Samples were taken under six sampling points at four depths from three experimental sites on each of the two transects. Soils were analysed for acid digestible metals, pH and organic carbon content. Standard deviation, coefficients of variation, mean and medians were analysed for each horizon of each site. It was observed that Cu and Mn variability is higher in closer proximity to the point source while the variability of Zn increased with decreasing soil pH. In Sudbury, emitted metals Ni and Cu accumulate together in soils, whereas in Rouyn-Noranda, with the exception of Cd and Zn, metal concentrations were not related in forest floors. Observations suggest that physical factors influencing where metals are deposited as well as the inherent variability in soil chemical characteristics, and the distance from the point source can all act together to result in high variability in soil metal concentrations in a single forest site. Sampling in the interest of relating vegetation metal concentrations or response to soil metals should be carried out on an individual plant basis with multiple samples taken for each individual. Soil samples taken at intervals of 1 to 1.7 m will provide relative error in estimating soil concentrations of 10% or 20%, respectively. Key words: Spatial variability, trace metals, podzolic soils, smelter emissions

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XRF and PIXE Analysis of light and Dark Adapted Ocular Tissue

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100053619 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. 190-191

Author(s):

B. J. Panessa ◽

H. W. Kraner ◽

J. B. Warren ◽

K. W. Jones

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Pigment Epithelium ◽

Nerve Impulse ◽

Light Response ◽

Ocular Tissue ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Retinol Dehydrogenase ◽

Pixe Analysis ◽

X Ray ◽

Optimal Function

During photoexcitation the retina requires specific electrolytes and trace metals for optimal function (Na, Mg, Cl, K, Ca, S, P, Cu and Zn). According to Hagins (1981), photoexcitation and generation of a nerve impulse involves the movement of Ca from the rhodopsin-ladened membranes of the rod outer segment (ROS) to the plasmalemma, which in turn decreases the in-flow of Na into the photoreceptor, resulting in hyperpolarization. In toad isolated retinas, the presence of Ba has been found to increase the amplitude and prolong the delay of the light response (Brown and Flaming, 1978). Trace metals such as Cu, Zn and Se are essential for the activity of the metalloenzymes of the retina and retina pigment epithelium (RPE) (i.e. carbonic anhydrase, retinol dehydrogenase, tyrosinase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase...). Therefore the content and fluctuations of these elements in the retina and choroid are of fundamental importance for the maintenance of vision. This paper presents elemental data from light and dark adapted frog ocular tissues examined by electron beam induced x-ray microanalysis, x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and proton induced x-ray emission spectrometry (PIXE).

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Identifying Sources of Sulfate Aerosols Reaching Whiteface Mountain, NY

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100117546 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

pp. 98-101

Author(s):

James S. Webber

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Acid Deposition ◽

Surface Waters ◽

Dry Deposition ◽

Coal Combustion ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Sulfate Aerosols ◽

Wet And Dry Deposition ◽

Whiteface Mountain ◽

Toxic Trace Metals

INTRODUCTION“Acid rain” and “acid deposition” are terms no longer confined to the lexicon of atmospheric scientists and 1imnologists. Public awareness of and concern over this phenomenon, particularly as it affects acid-sensitive regions of North America, have increased dramatically in the last five years. Temperate ecosystems are suffering from decreased pH caused by acid deposition. Human health may be directly affected by respirable sulfates and by the increased solubility of toxic trace metals in acidified waters. Even man's monuments are deteriorating as airborne acids etch metal and stone features.Sulfates account for about two thirds of airborne acids with wet and dry deposition contributing equally to acids reaching surface waters or ground. The industrial Midwest is widely assumed to be the source of most sulfates reaching the acid-sensitive Northeast since S02 emitted as a byproduct of coal combustion in the Midwest dwarfs S02 emitted from all sources in the Northeast.

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