1
|
Munzi S, Graça C, Martins D, Máguas C. Differential response of two acidophytic lichens to increased reactive nitrogen availability. Biologia (Bratisl) 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-023-01366-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
AbstractLichens are one of the most responsive components of the ecosystem to reactive forms of nitrogen. In this work, we selected the lichen genera Cladonia and Usnea, composed of terricolous and epiphytic lichens respectively, and described as sensitive to nitrogen, to test the effects of different doses of nitrogen on lichen physiological parameters (photobiont and mycobiont vitality, chitin quantification, nitrogen content and stable isotopes analysis). The main objectives were to check if the activation of protective mechanisms could be stimulated in case of chronic stress (low nitrogen increase for prolonged time), and, if so, if a toxicity threshold could be identified above which these mechanisms fail. The two lichen genera were generally affected by prolonged exposure to increased nitrogen availability. However, Cladonia rangiformis was able to maintain physiological functioning at the lowest nitrogen doses used, whereas thalli of Usnea become overwhelmed. Moreover, the mycobiont appeared to be more sensitive than the photobiont responding to lower nitrogen doses. Although only studies of longer duration and testing more nitrogen doses will be able to determine an accurate toxicity threshold, these results give important clues on the use of lichens as biomonitors for the establishment of environmental policies.
Collapse
|
2
|
Greaver T, McDow S, Phelan J, Kaylor SD, Herrick JD, Jovan S. Synthesis of lichen response to gaseous nitrogen: ammonia versus nitrogen dioxide. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT (OXFORD, ENGLAND : 1994) 2023; 292:1-13. [PMID: 37475978 PMCID: PMC10355123 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The dominant chemical form of nitrogen pollution in the atmosphere in the U.S. is shifting from oxidized nitrogen, primarily from combustion of fossil fuels, to reduced nitrogen from agricultural animal waste and fertilizer applications. Does it matter to lichens? In this synthesis, we characterize U.S. air concentrations of the most ubiquitous gaseous forms of reduced and oxidized nitrogen, NO2 and NH3, respectively, and their direct effects on lichens. In the U.S., the 3-year average (2017-2019) of the annual mean for each monitoring site ranges up to 56.4 μg NO2 m-3 (~30 ppb) and 6 μg NH3 m-3 (~9 ppb). The spatial coverage of current routine monitoring of NO2 and NH3 likely does not accurately represent exposures of NO2 to ecosystems in rural areas or capture spikes of NH3 concentrations proximal to intensive agriculture, which are documented to exceed 700 μg NH3 m-3 (~1000 ppb) for short durations. Both NO2 and NH3 can act as nutrients to lichens, but as exposures rise, both can cause physiological stress and mortality that then change community composition and diversity. There is a growing body of evidence that lichen community composition is altered at current levels of exposure in the U.S. with estimated no effect or lowest effect concentrations from <1-3 μg m-3 NO2 and <1 μg m-3 NH3. Better spatial characterization of both NO2 and NH3 concentrations, especially near intensive agriculture, would help to characterize the extent of the impacts across the U.S. These findings are discussed in the context of U.S. air pollution policy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tara Greaver
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Stephen McDow
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | | | - S. Douglas Kaylor
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Jeffrey D. Herrick
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Sarah Jovan
- USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station, 620 SW Main, Suite 502, Portland, OR 97205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ciężka MM, Górka M, Trzyna A, Modelska M, Łubek A, Widory D. The multi-isotope biogeochemistry (S, C, N and Pb) of Hypogymnia physodes lichens: air quality approach in the Świętokrzyski National Park, Poland. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2022; 58:340-362. [PMID: 35984898 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2022.2110591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The isotope biogeochemistry of bioindicators has widely demonstrated its added value in environmental issues by allowing to precisely identify sources of contamination. Most of the studies are based on studying one or two isotope systematics. Here, we are presenting an innovative multi-proxy approach that combines chemistry with both stable (C, S, N) and radiogenic (Pb) isotope systematics. Using Hypogymnia physodes bioindicators, we evaluated air quality in the complex environment of the Świętokrzyski National Park (ŚNP, Poland) with the ultimate objective of isotopically identifying the sources responsible for the observed contamination. Combining the isotope systematics showed that home heating is a major source of contamination in winter, whereas the contribution of road traffic increases during the summer. Pb isotope ratios identified industrial activities as the major source of this metal in the atmosphere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maciej Górka
- Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Trzyna
- Department of Environmental Protection, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Modelska
- Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Łubek
- Institute of Biology, Division of Environmental Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Kielce, Poland
| | - David Widory
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, GEOTOP/UQAM, Montréal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Geiser LH, Root H, Smith RJ, Jovan SE, St Clair L, Dillman KL. Lichen-based critical loads for deposition of nitrogen and sulfur in US forests. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 291:118187. [PMID: 34563846 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Critical loads are thresholds of atmospheric deposition below which harmful ecological effects do not occur. Because lichens are sensitive to atmospheric deposition, lichen-based critical loads can foreshadow changes of other forest processes. Here, we derive critical loads of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) deposition for continental US and coastal Alaskan forests, based on nationally consistent lichen community surveys at 8855 sites. Across the eastern and western US ranges of 459 lichen species, each species' realized optimum was the N or S atmospheric deposition value at which it most frequently occurred. The mean of optima for all species at a site, weighted by their abundances, was defined as a community "airscore" indicative of species' collective responses to atmospheric deposition. To determine critical loads for adverse community compositional shifts, we then modeled changes in airscores as a function of deposition, climate and forest habitat predictors in nonparametric multiplicative regression. Critical loads, indicative of initial shifts from pollution-sensitive toward pollution-tolerant species, occurred at 1.5 kg N ha-1 y-1 and 2.7 kg S ha-1 y-1. Importantly, these critical loads remain constant under any climate regime nationwide, suggesting both simplicity and nationwide applicability. Our models predict that preventing excess N deposition of just 0.2-2.0 kg ha-1 y-1 in the next century could offset the detrimental effects of predicted climate warming on lichen communities. Because excess deposition and climate warming both harm the most ecologically influential species, keeping conditions below critical loads would sustain both forest ecosystem functioning and climate resilience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda H Geiser
- USDA Forest Service, Biological and Physical Resources, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Robert J Smith
- USDA Forest Service, Biological and Physical Resources, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Sarah E Jovan
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Larry St Clair
- M.L. Bean Life Science Museum and Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Karen L Dillman
- USDA Forest Service, Biological and Physical Resources, Washington, DC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang Q, Li Y, Wang M, Wang K, Meng F, Liu L, Zhao Y, Ma L, Zhu Q, Xu W, Zhang F. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition: A review of quantification methods and its spatial pattern derived from the global monitoring networks. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 216:112180. [PMID: 33865187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is a vital component of the global N cycle. Excessive N deposition on the Earth's surface has adverse impacts on ecosystems and humans. Quantification of atmospheric N deposition is indispensable for assessing and addressing N deposition-induced environmental issues. In the present review, we firstly summarized the current methods applied to quantify N deposition (wet, dry, and total N deposition), their advantages and major limitations. Secondly, we illustrated the long-term N deposition monitoring networks worldwide and the results attained via such long-term monitoring. Results show that China faces heavier N deposition than the United States, European countries, and other countries in East Asia. Next, we proposed a framework for estimating the atmospheric wet and dry N deposition using a combined method of surface monitoring, modeling, and satellite remote sensing. Finally, we put forth the critical research challenges and future directions of the atmospheric N deposition. CAPSULE: A review of quantification methods and the global data on nitrogen deposition and a systematic framework was proposed for quantifying nitrogen deposition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yanan Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mengru Wang
- Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kai Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fanlei Meng
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lei Liu
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yuanhong Zhao
- College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Qichao Zhu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wen Xu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Deng O, Chen Y, Lan T, Zhang S, Gao X, Zhou W, Ou D, Hu Y, Luo L. Contribution of atmospheric N deposition to riverine N load in a forest-dominated watershed through field monitoring for three years. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 266:128951. [PMID: 33218727 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition significantly impacts N cycling in freshwater ecosystems. Relative to lakes, the importance of N deposition in riverine N load is less studied. Thus, this study monitored N deposition and riverine N load for three years and then used the export coefficient model to explore N deposition's contribution to riverine N load in a forest-dominated watershed. It is found that the annual export of total N (TN) deposition could explain 17.4%-19.2% of riverine TN load. The contribution of TN deposition to riverine TN load was significantly higher (P < 0.05) during the crop production period (recorded as CPP, lasting from June to September, 22.7%) than the non-crop production period (Non-CPP, 13.8%). The application of chemical fertilizer and manure and the high precipitation were assumed as the primary reason for the increased N deposition and increased riverine TN load during CPP. This study shows that inland plain agriculture practices might considerably influence the nearby forest-dominated watershed, and it is necessary to develop sustainable agriculture programs for reducing riverine N load.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ouping Deng
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Ting Lan
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Shirong Zhang
- College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Xuesong Gao
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Wei Zhou
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Dinghua Ou
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Yufu Hu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Ling Luo
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China; College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen L, Bao Z, Wu X, Li K, Han L, Zhao X, Zhang X, Wang Z, Azzi M, Cen K. The effects of humidity and ammonia on the chemical composition of secondary aerosols from toluene/NOx photo-oxidation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 728:138671. [PMID: 32353798 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The secondary aerosol formation mechanism in the presence of ammonia (NH3), is poorly understood, especially under high relative humidity (RH) conditions. In this study, a total of seven experiments were conducted from toluene/NOx photo-oxidation in the presence/absence of NH3 under dry (~7% RH) and wet (>60% RH) conditions in a ~3 m3 smog chamber. A series of instruments including gas analysers, scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), aerosol mass spectrometry (HR-ToF-AMS) etc. were applied to measure the NOx and O3 concentrations, the mass concentration and chemical composition of secondary aerosol. It was found that NH3 could enhance the mass loading of secondary aerosol, especially under wet condition. However, the presence of NH3 or increasing RH did not have a significant influence on SOA yield. The organic aerosol mass spectrum from AMS showed that the most abundant fragment was at m/z = 44, which was mainly from the fragmentation of carboxylic acids. Compared to the absence of NH3, the fraction of fragment at m/z = 44 and O:C was higher in the presence of NH3, regardless of dry or wet conditions. The highest O:C value of 0.71-0.75 was observed in the presence of NH3 under wet condition, suggesting there could be a synergetic effect between the high RH and the presence of NH3, which jointly contributed to the photochemical aging process of SOA. The N:C increased in the presence of NH3 under both dry and wet conditions, which might be attributed to the carboxylates and organic nitrates formed from the reaction between NH3 and carboxylic acids. The results implied that SOA modelling should consider the role of NH3 and water vapour, which might fill the gap of O:C between laboratory studies and field measurements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linghong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Zhier Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xuecheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Kangwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Lixia Han
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xingya Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Merched Azzi
- CSIRO Energy, PO Box 52, North Ryde, NSW 1670, Australia
| | - Kefa Cen
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hoffman AS, Albeke SE, McMurray JA, Evans RD, Williams DG. Nitrogen deposition sources and patterns in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem determined from ion exchange resin collectors, lichens, and isotopes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 683:709-718. [PMID: 31150891 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Over the past century, atmospheric nitrogen deposition (Ndep) has increased across the western United States due to agricultural and urban development, resulting in degraded ecosystem quality. Regional patterns of Ndep are often estimated by coupling direct measurements from large-scale monitoring networks and atmospheric chemistry models, but such efforts can be problematic in the western US because of complex terrain and sparse sampling. This study aimed not only to understand Ndep patterns in mountainous ecosystems but also to investigate whether isotope values of lichens and throughfall deposition can be used to determine Ndep sources, and serve as an additional tool in ecosystem health assessments. We measured Ndep amounts and δ15N in montane conifer forests of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem using canopy throughfall and bulk monitors and lichens. In addition, we examined patterns of C:N ratios in lichens as a possible indicator of lichen physiological condition. The isotopic signature of δ15N of Ndep helps to discern emission sources, because δ15N of NOx from combustion tends to be high (-5 to +25‰) while NHx from agricultural sources tends to be comparatively low (-40 to -10‰). Summertime Ndep increased with elevation and ranged from 0.26 to 1.66 kg ha-1. Ndep was higher than expected in remote areas. The δ15N values of lichens were typically -15.3 to -10‰ suggesting agriculture as a primary emission source of deposition. Lichen %N, δ15N and C:N ratios can provide important information about Ndep sources and patterns over small spatial scales in complex terrain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shannon E Albeke
- University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, United States of America
| | - Jill A McMurray
- Bridger Teton National Forest, United States Forest Service, Pinedale, WY 82941, United States of America
| | - R David Evans
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, United States of America
| | - David G Williams
- University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|