Hans-Jürgen Jäger

Effects of atmospheric ammonia on vegetation—A review

Atmospheric ammonia does not only cause acute injuries at vegetation close to the source, but significantly contributes to large scale nitrogen eutrophication and acidification of ecosystems because the amount of sources is high and after conversion to ammonium it can reach remote areas by long-range atmospheric transport. Besides having acute toxic potential, NH(3) and NH(4)(+) (= NH(y)) may disturb vegetation by secondary metabolic changes due to increased NH(y) uptake and assimilation leading to higher susceptibility to abiotic (drought, frost) and biotic (pests) stress. Prevention of damage to natural and semi-natural ecosystems will only be achieved if NH(3) emissions are drastically reduced. In this paper, the current knowledge on NH(y) emission, deposition, and its effects on vegetation and ecosystems are reviewed. Critical levels and critical loads for nitrogen deposition are discussed.

Isotope ratios and concentrations of sulfur and nitrogen in needles and soils of Picea abies stands as influenced by atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen compounds

Concentrations and natural isotope abundance of total sulfur and nitrogen as well as sulfate and nitrate concentrations were measured in needles of different age classes and in soil samples of different horizons from a healthy and a declining Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forest in the Fichtelgebirge (NE Bavaria, Germany), in order to study the fate of atmospheric depositions of sulfur and nitrogen compounds.The mean δ15N of the needles ranged between −3.7 and −2.1 ‰ and for δ34S a range between −0.4 and +0.9 ‰ was observed. δ34S and sulfur concentrations in the needles of both stands increased continuously with needle age and thus, were closely correlated. The δ15N values of the needles showed an initial decrease followed by an increase with needle age. The healthy stand showed more negative δ15N values in old needles than the declining stand. Nitrogen concentrations decreased with needle age.For soil samples at both sites the mean δ15N and δ34S values increased from −3 ‰ (δ15N) or +0.9 ‰ (δ34S) in the uppermost organic layer to about +4 ‰ (δ15N) or +4.5 ‰ (δ34S) in the mineral soil. This depth-dependent increase in abundance of 15N and 34S was accompanied by a decrease in total nitrogen and sulfur concentrations in the soil. δ15N values and nitrogen concentrations were closely correlated (slope −0.0061 ‰ δ15N per μmol eq N gdw−1), and δ34S values were linearly correlated with sulfur concentrations (slope −0.0576 ‰ δ34S per μmol eq S gdw−1). It follows that in the same soil samples sulfur concentrations were linearly correlated with the nitrogen concentrations (slope 0.0527), and δ34S values were linearly correlated with δ15N values (slope 0.459). A correlation of the sulfur and nitrogen isotope abundances on a Δ basis (which considers the different relative frequencies of 15N and 34S), however, revealed an isotope fractionation that was higher by a factor of 5 for sulfur than for nitrogen (slope 5.292). These correlations indicate a long term synchronous mineralization of organic nitrogen and sulfur compounds in the soil accompanied by element-specific isotope fractionations.Based on different sulfur isotope abundance of the soil (δ34S=0.9 ‰ for total sulfur of the organic layer was assumed to be equivalent to about −1.0 ‰ for soil sulfate) and of the atmospheric SO2 deposition (δ34S=2.0 ‰ at the healthy site and 2.3 ‰ at the declining site) the contribution of atmospheric SO2 to total sulfur of the needles was estimated. This contribution increased from about 20 % in current-year needles to more than 50 % in 3-year-old needles. The proportion of sulfur from atmospheric deposition was equivalent to the age dependent sulfate accumulation in the needles. In contrast to the accumulation of atmospheric sulfur compounds nitrogen compounds from atmospheric deposition were metabolized and were used for growth. The implications of both responses to atmospheric deposition are discussed.

Seasonal variability and mitigation options for N2O emissions from differently managed grasslands

Nitrous oxide emissions were measured from nine plots on an old grassland site near Giessen, Germany. The management regimes of the plots differed in the amount of nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied, in the cutting frequency and in the mean annual ground water table height. Emissions of N2O occurred mainly shortly after fertilization and during freeze-thaw periods. Additional field incubations (in jars) provided evidence that during frost periods N2O emissions as high as 22.000 ng N2O-N kg−1 soil h−1 originated directly from the frozen topsoil. For the highest fertilized plots the freeze-thaw period accounted for 43 and 52% of the total annual N2O emissions. Nitrous oxide emissions tended to increase with increasing N fertilizer application and decreasing water table depth. Furthermore, an increase in the number of cuttings per year reduced N2O emissions. The results suggest that the ability of plant roots to take up NO3− increases with increased cutting frequencies throughout the vegetation period, therefore reducing the amount of NO3− available for soil denitrifying microorganisms.

Effects of elevated CO2, nitrogen supply and tropospheric ozone on spring wheat. I: Growth and yield

Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Minaret) was exposed to three CO(2) levels, in combination with two nitrogen fertilizer levels and two levels of tropospheric ozone, from sowing to ripening in open-top chambers. Three additional nitrogen fertilizer treatments were carried out at the lowest and the highest CO(2) level, respectively. Plants were harvested at growth stages 31, 65 and 93 and separated into up to eight fractions to gain information about biomass partitioning. CO(2) enrichment (263 microl litre(-1) above ambient levels) drastically increased biomass of organs serving as long-term carbohydrate pools. Peduncle weight increased by 92%, stem weight by 73% and flag leaf sheath weight by 59% at growth stage 65. Average increase in shoot biomass due to CO(2) enrichment amounted to 51% at growth stage 65 and 36% at final harvest. Average yield increase was 34%. Elevated nitrogen application was most effective on biomass of green tissues. Yield was increased by 30% when nitrogen application was increased from 150 to 270 kg N ha(-1). Significant interactions were observed between CO(2) enrichment and nitrogen application. Yield increase due to CO(2) ranged from 23% at 120 kg N to 47% at 330 kg N. Triticum aestivum cv. Minaret was not very responsive to ozone at 1.5 times ambient levels. 1000 grain weight was slightly decreased, which was compensated by an increased number of grains.

Effects of season long CO2 enrichment on cereals. II. Nutrient concentrations and grain quality

Abstract Two cultivars each of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Star and cv. Turbo) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv. Alexis and cv. Arena) were exposed season-long to ambient (384 p.p.m.) and above ambient CO2 concentrations (551, 718 p.p.m.) in open-top chambers. Plant samples were taken at the booting stage and at maturity. Concentrations (grams per gram dry weight) of macro (Ca, K, Mg, N, P, S) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn) were measured in stems, leaves, ears and grains, and the amino acid composition of the grain protein was determined. For most nutrients studied the sequence and size of the response of the four cereal plants to the CO2 enrichment was cv. Arena

Ambient ozone (O3) and adverse crop response : a unified view of cause and effect

This paper presents a cohesive view of the dynamics of ambient O(3) exposure and adverse crop response relationships, coupling the properties of photochemical O(3) production, flux of O(3) from the atmosphere into crop canopies and the crop response per se. The results from two independent approaches ((a) statistical and (b) micrometeorological) were analyzed for understanding cause-effect relationships of the foliar injury responses of tobacco cv Bel-W3 to the exposure dynamics of ambient O(3) concentrations. Similarly, other results from two independent approaches were analyzed in: (1) establishing a micrometeorological relationship between hourly ambient O(3) concentrations and their vertical flux from the air into a natural grassland canopy; and (2) establishing a statistical relationship between hourly ambient O(3) concentrations in long-term, chronic exposures and crop yield reductions. Independent of the approach used, atmospheric conditions appeared to be most conducive and the crop response appeared to be best explained statistically by the cumulative frequency of hourly ambient O(3) concentrations between 50 ppb and 90 ppb (100 and 180 microg m(-3)). In general, this concentration range represents intermediate or moderately enhanced hourly O(3) values in a polluted environment. Further, the diurnal occurrence of this concentration range (often approximately between 0900 and 1600 h in a polluted, agricultural environment) coincided with the optimal CO(2) flux from the atmosphere into the crop canopy, thus high uptake. The frequency of occurrence of hourly O(3) concentrations > 90 ppb (180 microg m(-3)) appeared to be of little importance and such concentrations in general appeared to occur during atmospheric conditions which did not facilitate optimal vertical flux into the crop canopy, thus low uptake. Alternatively, when > 90 ppb (180 microg m(-3)) O(3) concentrations occurred during the 0900-1600 h window, their frequency of occurrence was low in comparison to the 50-90 ppb (100-180 microg m(-3)) range. Based on the overall results, we conclude that if the cumulative frequency of hourly ambient O(3) concentrations between 50-62 ppb (100-124 microg m(-3)) occurred during 53% of the growing season and the corresponding cumulative frequency of hourly O(3) concentrations between 50-74 ppb (100-148 microg m(-3)) occurred during 71% of the growing season, then yield reductions in sensitive crops could be expected, if other factors supporting growth, such as adequate soil moisture are not limiting.

The European critical levels for ozone : improving their usage

The European critical levels (CLs) for ozone (O3) to protect crops, natural and semi-natural vegetation, as well as forest trees, are expressed as an Accumulated exposure Over a Threshold of 40 ppb (AOT40). In principle, this exposure index should represent the O3 concentrations at the upper boundary of the quasi-laminar layer of the plant canopy. However, in reality, those values cannot be measured and, therefore, must be estimated by micrometeorological models. Nevertheless, inappropriate calculation of AOT40 for ambient conditions using O3 levels actually measured at some reference height above the canopy leads to predictions of unrealistic crop yield losses. At the present time, CL to protect crops from long-term effects and yield losses, is based on open-top chamber experiments, mainly with spring wheat. In addition to concerns associated with the experimental methodologies used in these studies, a correct application of CL should include simulation of phenological stages of a representative wheat canopy. The present paper describes a model for simulation of leaf area index and canopy height development, based on algorithms adopted from a widely validated agrometeorological model of the German Weather Service. Because, O3 concentrations at the upper boundary of the quasi-laminar layer of the crop canopy are not unambiguouly connected with plant stomatal uptake, a correction of the actually simulated concentrations is needed to provide toxicologically effective O3 concentrations (effective AOT40). A comparison of results from the application of effective AOT40, with the observations of yield by the farmers, suggests that the estimated crop losses using the effective dose are within the bounds of probability. However, at the present time, for plants other than wheat, the data base is too small to derive meaningful and reliable effective dose–response relationships. Taking into account the definition of AOT40, soil–vegetation–atmosphere-transfer models must be generally applied. Future research efforts should address the important need for flux-orientated concepts which lead to a derivation of critical absorbed doses for O3 to protect vegetation (critical loads).

Methane fluxes from differentially managed grassland study plots: the important role of CH4 oxidation in grassland with a high potential for CH4 production

Methane oxidation fluxes were monitored with the closed chamber method in eight treatment plots on a semi-wet grassland site near Giessen, Germany. The management regimes differed in the amount of nitrogen (NH4NO3) fertilizer applied and in the height of the in-ground water table. No inhibition of CH4 oxidation occurred, regardless of the amount of annual N fertilizer applied. Instead, the mean CH4 consumption rates were correlated with the mean soil moisture of the plots. However, the correlation between daily soil water content and corresponding CH4 oxidation rate was always weak. During drought period (late summer) water stress was observed to restrict CH4 oxidation rates. The findings led to the question whether methane production with soil depth might modify the CH4 fluxes measured at the surface. Therefore, two new methods were applied: (1) soil air sampling with silicone probes; and (2) anaerobic incubations of soil cores to test for the methane production potential of the grassland soil. The probe measurements revealed that the CH4 sink capacity of a specific site was related to the vertical length of its CH4 oxidizing column, i.e. the depth of the CH4 producing horizon. Anaerobically incubated soil cores produced large amounts of CH4 comparable with tropical rice paddy soil. Under field conditions, heavy autumnal rain in 1998 led to a dramatic increase of soil CH4 concentrations upto 51 microliters l-1 at a depth of 5 cm. Nevertheless, no CH4 was released when soil surface CH4 fluxes were measured simultaneously. The results thus demonstrate the high CH4 oxidation potential of the thin aerobic topsoil horizon in a non-aquatic ecosystem.

Influence of the atmospheric conductivity on the ozone exposure of plants under ambient conditions: Considerations for establishing ozone standards to protect vegetation

This paper provides results of ozone flux density measurements above a permanent grassland ecosystem as they relate to an establishment of air quality guidelines or standards. Using a resistance analogue, the product of zone concentration measured at a standard measurement height and the conductivity of the atmosphere reflect the maximum possible ozone flux density towards the envelope of the plants. In other words, this product can be regarded as the ozone exposure potential of the atmosphere for plants. It could be shown that ozone concentrations between 100 and 180 microg m(-3) are likely to have a great phytotoxic potential and are more important than concentrations greater than 180 microg m(-3). From the results presented one can deduce that the application of dose-response relationships based on chamber experiments to ambient conditions results in an overestimation of, for example, yield loses. Any guideline or standard has to take into account the influence of the atmospheric conductivity on the absorbed dose of ozone.

The exchange of ozone between vegetation and atmosphere: micrometeorological measurement techniques and models.

The European critical levels (CLs) to protect vegetation are expressed as an accumulative exposure over a threshold of 40 ppb (nl l(-1)). In view of the fact that these chamber-derived CLs are based on ozone (O(3)) concentrations at the top of the canopy the correct application to ambient conditions presupposes the application of Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere-Transfer (SVAT) models for quantifying trace gas exchange between phytosphere and atmosphere. Especially in the context of establishing control strategies based on flux-oriented dose-response relationships, O(3) flux measurements and O(3) exchange simulations are needed for representative ecosystems. During the last decades several micrometeorological methods for quantifying energy and trace gas exchange were developed, as well as models for the simulation of the exchange of trace gases between phytosphere and atmosphere near the ground. This paper is a synthesis of observational and modeling techniques which discusses measurement methods, assumptions, and limitations and current modeling approaches. Because stomatal resistance for trace gas exchange is parameterized as a function of water vapor or carbon dioxide (CO(2)) exchange, the most important micrometeorological techniques especially for quantifying O(3), water vapor and CO(2) flux densities are discussed. A comparison of simulated and measured O(3) flux densities shows good agreement in the mean.