Subscriber access provided by STEVENS INST OF TECH
Article
Deposition of mercury in forests along a montane elevation gradient Bradley D Blackwell, and Charles T. Driscoll Environ. Sci. Technol., Just Accepted Manuscript • DOI: 10.1021/es505928w • Publication Date (Web): 30 Mar 2015 Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on April 7, 2015
Just Accepted “Just Accepted” manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and accepted for publication. They are posted online prior to technical editing, formatting for publication and author proofing. The American Chemical Society provides “Just Accepted” as a free service to the research community to expedite the dissemination of scientific material as soon as possible after acceptance. “Just Accepted” manuscripts appear in full in PDF format accompanied by an HTML abstract. “Just Accepted” manuscripts have been fully peer reviewed, but should not be considered the official version of record. They are accessible to all readers and citable by the Digital Object Identifier (DOI®). “Just Accepted” is an optional service offered to authors. Therefore, the “Just Accepted” Web site may not include all articles that will be published in the journal. After a manuscript is technically edited and formatted, it will be removed from the “Just Accepted” Web site and published as an ASAP article. Note that technical editing may introduce minor changes to the manuscript text and/or graphics which could affect content, and all legal disclaimers and ethical guidelines that apply to the journal pertain. ACS cannot be held responsible for errors or consequences arising from the use of information contained in these “Just Accepted” manuscripts.
Environmental Science & Technology is published by the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street N.W., Washington, DC 20036 Published by American Chemical Society. Copyright © American Chemical Society. However, no copyright claim is made to original U.S. Government works, or works produced by employees of any Commonwealth realm Crown government in the course of their duties.
Page 1 of 35
Environmental Science & Technology
1
Deposition of mercury in forests along a montane elevation gradient
2
Bradley D. Blackwell* and Charles T. Driscoll
3 4
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244
5 6
*corresponding author
7
1
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
Environmental Science & Technology
8 9
ABSTRACT Atmospheric mercury (Hg) deposition varies along elevation gradients and is influenced
10
by both orographic and biological factors. We quantified total Hg deposition over a two year
11
period at 24 forest sites at Whiteface Mountain, NY, USA that ranged from 450-1450 m above
12
sea level and covered three distinct forest types: deciduous/hardwood forest (14.1 µg/m2-yr),
13
spruce/fir forest (33.8 µg/m2-yr), and stunted growth alpine/fir forest (44.0 µg/m2-yr).
14
Atmospheric Hg deposition increased with elevation, with the dominant deposition pathways
15
shifting from litterfall in low-elevation hardwoods to throughfall in mid-elevation spruce/fir to
16
cloud water in high-elevation alpine forest. Soil Hg concentrations (ranging from 69 to 416 ng/g
17
for the Oi/Oe and 72 to 598 ng/g for the Oa horizons) were correlated with total Hg deposition,
18
but the weakness of the correlations suggests that additional factors such as climate and tree
19
species also contribute to soil Hg accumulation. Meteorological conditions influenced Hg
20
deposition pathways, as cloud water Hg diminished in 2010 (dry conditions) compared to 2009
21
(wet conditions). However, the dry conditions in 2010 led to increased Hg dry deposition and
22
subsequent significant increases in throughfall Hg fluxes compared to 2009. These findings
23
suggest that elevation, forest characteristics, and meteorological conditions are all important
24
drivers of atmospheric Hg deposition to montane forests.
25
INTRODUCTION
26
Mercury (Hg) contamination is a major environmental issue for remote ecosystems that
27
receive elevated deposition from long-range atmospheric transport. Anthropogenic activities
28
have increased the global pool of available Hg by approximately a factor of three.1 Although Hg
29
emissions have decreased in North America and Europe, activities in Asia have resulted in
30
overall increases in global Hg emissions.1,2 Mercury deposition is difficult to estimate on a 2
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
Page 2 of 35
Page 3 of 35
Environmental Science & Technology
31
global basis because many factors can influence its land-atmosphere exchange. Land cover has
32
been shown to impact Hg deposition as forested areas enhance Hg deposition processes.3-6
33
Differences in forest type also impact Hg deposition.7-9 Additionally, geographic features such
34
as latitude, longitude, and elevation have been correlated to Hg deposition.10-12
35
Previous studies have shown that high-elevation forests receive elevated atmospheric
36
deposition of anthropogenic pollutants.13-15 Mercury concentrations in soils increase with
37
increases in elevation,16,17 and two montane areas of the northeastern United States (the
38
Adirondack and Catskill Mountains) are considered to be “biological Hg hotspots”.18 The steep
39
elevation gradients found in mountainous regions create abrupt changes in climate, which in turn
40
lead to shifts in forest communities from low-elevation hardwood forest to high-elevation conifer
41
forest. As both meteorological and biological factors influence Hg deposition, there is potential
42
for marked variability in Hg deposition processes along mountain gradients, even over relatively
43
small distances. Mountainous areas are also likely to experience more severe changes in
44
meteorological conditions driven by human-induced climate change than low-elevation areas.19
45
Mountainous areas have shallow soils, harbor sensitive plant and wildlife species, and serve as
46
recharge areas for down gradient water resources. As a result, there is a critical need to
47
characterize and quantify atmospheric deposition to montane landscapes.
48
The purpose of this study was to quantify Hg deposition over a 1000+ m elevation
49
gradient in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, USA and to evaluate the role of
50
physical factors (precipitation quantity, solar radiation, etc.) and biological factors (forest type)
51
in Hg deposition processes. We estimated deposition through both wet and dry processes and
52
measured Hg concentrations in organic soil horizons. As this study spanned two growing
53
seasons, we also examined effects of meteorology on Hg deposition by comparing Hg deposition 3
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
Environmental Science & Technology
54
calculations from a wet, cool, predominantly overcast growing season (2009) with Hg deposition
55
calculations from a warm, dry, and predominantly sunny growing season (2010). In addition,
56
this study could serve as a baseline for monitoring both reductions in Hg emissions in North
57
America and long-term variation in Hg deposition as a result of climate change.
58
MATERIALS & METHODS
59
Study Site and Experimental Design
60
Whiteface Mountain is located in the northeast portion of the Adirondack Park near
61
Wilmington, NY (summit location 44.37°N, 73.90° W) (Figure 1). The mountain has a
62
prominence of over 1,000 meters, with a base elevation of approximately 400 m above sea level
63
and a summit elevation of 1483 m. Whiteface is home to the State University of New York
64
Atmospheric Science Research Center (ASRC) and has atmospheric monitoring stations located
65
at approximately 610 m and at the summit. There is also a monitoring site for the National
66
Atmospheric Deposition Program National Trends Network (NADP NTN) and a site for cloud-
67
chemistry monitoring operated by the NY Department of Environmental Conservation. Mercury
68
Deposition Network (MDN) stations are located approximately 50 km (Huntington Forest, NY;
69
NY20) and 80 km (Underhill, VT; VT99) from the summit of Whiteface.
70
Forest communities of Whiteface Mountain are segregated into three distinct zones with
71
small transition zones between. Lower elevations (hardwood zone) are characterized by northern
72
hardwood forest dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharum), yellow birch (Betula
73
alleghaniensis), red maple (Acer rubrum), and American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and range
74
from 400 m to approximately 900 m. Canopy heights in the hardwood forest range from 10-20
75
m on average, and the understory is relatively open. Mid-elevations (spruce/fir zone) are thick
76
stands of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce (Picea rubens) with interspersed paper 4
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
Page 4 of 35
Page 5 of 35
Environmental Science & Technology
77
birch (Betula papyrifera) and range from approximately 1000 m to 1300 m. The canopy heights
78
of the mid-elevations ranges from 5-10 m, and the understory ranges from open to extremely
79
dense growths of young evergreens. The third zone is an alpine forest zone that is comprised
80
almost entirely of sparse, stunted-growth balsam fir with occasional red spruce, paper birch, and
81
mountain ash (Sorbus americana). The alpine zone ranges from approximately 1350 m to the
82
summit. The canopy height in this area rarely exceeds 2 m, and much of the “canopy” is less
83
than 1 m in height. This study was designed to estimate atmospheric Hg deposition along the entire elevation
84 85
gradient of Whiteface Mountain. This goal was accomplished by establishing transects along
86
both the southwest and northeast sides of Whiteface (Figure 1). Each transect contained 12 study
87
plots that spanned a range of elevations and forest types. For both transects, four plots were
88
established at regular elevation intervals in each of the three major vegetation zones (hardwood,
89
spruce/fir, alpine). Samples were collected from the transects between 1 June 2009 and 6 June
90
2011.
91
Sample and Data Collection
92
After selecting plots, we recorded latitude and longitude using a handheld global
93
positioning system (GPS). Elevation was estimated using a combination of topographic maps,
94
handheld GPS, and a digital elevation model of the Adirondack Park. Throughfall collectors
95
were installed at each site, and throughfall was collected every 10-30 days during the growing
96
season. Green canopy foliage was collected from high canopy trees in late September of both
97
2009 and 2010. Senesced litter was collected in plastic crates at each site throughout the year.
98
Organic soil samples were collected from each plot. Two subsamples were taken from the
99
horizons of each soil core. The Oi and Oe horizons, which are made up of slightly to 5
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
Environmental Science & Technology
Page 6 of 35
100
intermediately decomposed leaf litter and organic matter, were combined into a single sample.
101
The Oa horizon, made up of highly decomposed organic matter, was also collected.
102
addition, a cloud water collector was installed at the summit to estimate deposition via cloud
103
water. Detailed information about the methods used to collect samples can be found in the
104
supporting information.
105
In
Meteorological data, which included air temperature, wind speed, cloud frequency, and
106
precipitation quantity, were measured at the summit of Whiteface and are included in the
107
supporting information (Table S1).
108
Laboratory Analysis
109
All solid samples (foliage, litter, soil) were freeze dried for at least 72 hours to remove
110
moisture and were then analyzed for total Hg using EPA Method 7473
111
(http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/testmethods/sw846/pdfs/7473.pdf). A subsample of solid
112
samples was also analyzed for total carbon and total nitrogen content. Aqueous samples
113
(throughfall, cloud water) were fixed with hydrochloric acid and stored at 4° C before analysis
114
for total Hg using EPA Method 1631e
115
(http://water.epa.gov/scitech/methods/cwa/metals/mercury/upload/2007_07_10_methods_metho
116
d_mercury_1631.pdf). Throughfall samples collected in 2010 were also analyzed for NO3-,
117
SO42-, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Detailed information on laboratory analysis,
118
including quality control, is included in the supporting information.
119
Deposition calculations
120
Sampling years were designated as beginning June 1 of each year to simplify flux
121
calculations. Sampling year 2009 was defined as 1 June 2009 to 31 May 2010, and sampling
122
year 2010 was defined as 1 June 2010 to 31 May 2011. Throughfall Hg fluxes were calculated 6
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
Page 7 of 35
Environmental Science & Technology
123
by multiplying throughfall concentrations by throughfall quantities. During the growing season,
124
both components were measured directly at each plot. For periods when samples were not
125
collected directly, wet Hg deposition was estimated at each plot using the NTN and MDN data
126
and multiplying those data by the average precipitation and Hg enrichment factors for each plot.
127
Please see the supporting information for further explanation of this method.
128
Litterfall Hg fluxes were calculated by multiplying litterfall mass per unit area by foliar
129
Hg concentrations. Cloud fluxes were estimated by multiplying mean measured cloud Hg
130
concentrations with a modified cloud water quantity model for Whiteface Mountain outlined in
131
Miller et al.14 This model was optimized specifically for Whiteface Mountain and predicts annual
132
cloud water quantity at different elevations. Mercury deposition fluxes were calculated for
133
litterfall, throughfall, and cloud water at each plot. These deposition pathways were assumed to
134
be independent of each other, and total Hg fluxes were assumed to be the sum of the three
135
components. Deposition of Hg in each forest zone was estimated by averaging calculated fluxes
136
from all eight plots within each zone. Refer to supporting information for more detailed
137
explanations of calculation of deposition estimates.
138
Statistical Analysis
139
Regression analysis was used to examine patterns in elevation with measured chemistry
140
variables and estimated Hg deposition. One-way ANOVA was used to determine statistically-
141
significant differences among the different forest zones. Data that were not normally distributed
142
were log-transformed before analysis. Statistical significance was defined at α < 0.05. All data
143
analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 19.0.
144
RESULTS
145
Meteorological Variables 7
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
Environmental Science & Technology
146
Weather patterns in 2009 were markedly different from weather patterns in 2010, as 2009
147
was generally cool and overcast with regular rain showers, while 2010 was warmer with less
148
cloud cover and precipitation. A substantially greater proportion of the rainfall in 2010 was the
149
result of storm events. Although it was not possible to collect meteorological data at each site,
150
data was collected at the summit and is summarized in Table S1 of the supporting information.
151
Throughfall and Cloud Hg Concentrations
152
Concentrations of Hg in throughfall varied among the different forest types, with the
153
lowest concentrations found in the alpine zone and highest concentrations found in the spruce/fir
154
zone (Figure 2). Results of one-way ANOVA of log-transformed throughfall Hg concentrations
155
indicate that the differences among forest types were significant (F(2,140) = 10.3, p