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Fernández-Guisuraga JM, Ansola G, Pinto R, Marcos E, Calvo L, Sáenz de Miera LE. Resistance of soil bacterial communities from montane heathland ecosystems in the Cantabrian mountains (NW Spain) to a gradient of experimental nitrogen deposition. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:171079. [PMID: 38373460 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171079] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Elevated atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition on terrestrial ecosystems has become one of the most important drivers of microbial diversity loss on a global scale, and has been reported to alter the soil function of nutrient-poor, montane Calluna vulgaris heathlands in the context of global change. In this work we analyze for the first time the shifts of bacterial communities in response to experimental addition of N in Calluna heathlands as a simulation of atmospheric deposition. Specifically, we evaluated the effects of five N addition treatments (0, 10, 20, and 50 kg N ha-1 yr-1 for 3-years; and 56 kg N ha-1 yr-1 for 10-years) on the resistance of soil bacterial communities as determined by changes in their composition and alpha and beta diversities. The study was conducted in montane Calluna heathlands at different development stages (young and mature phases) in the southern side of the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain). Our results evidenced a substantial increase of long-term (10-years) N inputs on soil extractable N-NH4+, particularly in young Calluna stands. The alpha diversity of soil bacterial communities in mature Calluna stands did not show a significant response to experimental N addition, whereas it was significantly higher under long-term chronic N addition (56 kg N ha-1 yr-1 for 10-years) in young Calluna stands. These bacterial community shifts are mainly attributable to a decrease in the dominance of Acidobacteria phylum, the most representative in montane Calluna ecosystems, in favor of copiotrophic taxa such as Actinobacteria or Proteobacteria phyla, favored under increased N availability. Future research should investigate what specific ecosystem functions performed by soil bacterial communities may be sensitive to increased nitrogen depositions, which may have substantial implications for the understanding of montane Calluna ecosystems' stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Fernández-Guisuraga
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; Centro de Investigação e de Tecnologias Agroambientais e Biológicas, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - Gemma Ansola
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rayo Pinto
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Elena Marcos
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Leonor Calvo
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Luis E Sáenz de Miera
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
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He K, Huang Y, Qi Y, Sheng Z, Chen H. Effects of nitrogen addition on vegetation and soil and its linkages to plant diversity and productivity in a semi-arid steppe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 778:146299. [PMID: 34030349 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) deposition and fertilization, which represent key sources of N input in many terrestrial ecosystems, influence all levels of the ecosystem and involve complex mechanisms. Quantitative and modelling approaches can be used to understand this complexity. In this study, we carried out in situ N addition experiments in a Stipa krylovii steppe in northern China. We evaluated the effects of N addition on plant diversity and productivity under two scenarios (fertilization and simulated increased N deposition) using a structural equation model (SEM). N addition had direct effects on community weighted means (CWM) of plant functional traits and soil properties but had indirect effects on community structure. The changes in community structure and soil properties caused by N addition decreased plant diversity, whereas productivity remained relatively stable and was mainly controlled by changes in community structure. The changes in soil properties and plant diversity caused by N addition had little effect on productivity or soil pH. We conclude that the changes in plant diversity and productivity with increased N input in the S. krylovii steppe were mainly due to differences in growth responses of different species to increased N and the resulting community responses, such as changes in community structure. The results of the present study provide a theoretical basis for grassland management and conservation in the wake of global environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejian He
- School of Earth Sciences, Yunnan Institute of Geography, Yunnan University, Kunming 560091, China
| | - Yongmei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface and Resource Ecology, College of Resources Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Yu Qi
- Inner Mongolia Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Hohhot 010011, China
| | - Zhilu Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface and Resource Ecology, College of Resources Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Huiying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface and Resource Ecology, College of Resources Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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Calvo-Fernández J, Taboada Á, Fichtner A, Härdtle W, Calvo L, Marcos E. Time- and age-related effects of experimentally simulated nitrogen deposition on the functioning of montane heathland ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 613-614:149-159. [PMID: 28910717 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystems adapted to low nitrogen (N) conditions such as Calluna-heathlands are especially sensitive to enhanced atmospheric N deposition that affects many aspects of ecosystem functioning like nutrient cycling, soil properties and plant-microbial-enzyme relationships. We investigated the effects of five levels of experimentally-simulated N deposition rates (i.e., N fertilization treatments: 0, 10, 20 and 50kgNha-1yr-1 for 3years, and 56kgNha-1yr-1 for 10years) on: plant, litter, microbial biomass and soil nutrient contents, soil extracellular enzymatic activities, and plant root ericoid mycorrhizal colonization. The study was conducted in marginal montane Calluna-heathlands at different developmental stages resulting from management (young/building-phase and mature-phase). Our findings revealed that many soil properties did not show a statistically significant response to the experimental addition of N, including: total N, organic carbon (C), C:N ratio, extractable N-NO3-, available phosphorus (P), urease and β-glucosidase enzyme activities, and microbial biomass C and N. Our results also evidenced a considerable positive impact of chronic (10-year) high-N loading on soil extractable N-NH4+, acid phosphatase enzyme activity, Calluna root mycorrhizal colonization by ericoid fungi, Calluna shoot N and P contents, and litter N content and N:P ratio. The age of heathland vegetation influenced the effects of N addition on ericoid mycorrhizal colonization, resulting in higher colonized roots in young heathlands at the control, low and medium N-input rates; and in mature ones at the high and chronically high N rates. Also, young heathlands exhibited greater soil extractable N-NO3-, available P, microbial biomass N, Calluna shoot N and P contents, and litter N content, compared to mature ones. Our results highlighted that accounting for the N-input load and duration, as well as the developmental stage of the vegetation, is important for assessing the effects of added N, particularly at the heathlands' southern distribution limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Calvo-Fernández
- Area of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences & Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, 24071 León, Spain.
| | - Ángela Taboada
- Area of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences & Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Andreas Fichtner
- Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Scharnhorststrasse 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Werner Härdtle
- Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Scharnhorststrasse 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Leonor Calvo
- Area of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences & Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Elena Marcos
- Area of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences & Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
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Ochoa-Hueso R, Mondragon-Cortés T, Concostrina-Zubiri L, Serrano-Grijalva L, Estébanez B. Nitrogen deposition reduces the cover of biocrust-forming lichens and soil pigment content in a semiarid Mediterranean shrubland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:26172-26184. [PMID: 29103122 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0482-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Biocrusts are key drivers of the structure and functioning of drylands and are very sensitive to disturbance, including atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. We studied the impacts of simulated N deposition on biocrust community composition and soil photosynthetic and photoprotective pigment content after five years of N application in a European semiarid Mediterranean shrubland. The experiment consisted in six experimental blocks with four plots, each receiving 0, 10, 20, or 50 kg NH4NO3-N ha-1 year-1 + 6-7 kg N ha-1 year-1 background. After 5 years of N application, total lichen cover decreased up to 50% compared to control conditions and these changes were only clearly evident when evaluated from a temporal perspective (i.e. as the percentage of change from the first survey in 2008 to the last survey in 2012). In contrast, moss cover did not change in response to N, suggesting that biocrust community alterations operate via species- and functional group-specific effects. Interestingly, between-year variations in biocrust cover tracked variations in autumnal precipitation, showing that these communities are more dynamic than previously thought. Biocrust species alterations in response to N were, however, often secondary when compared to the role of ecologically relevant drivers such as soil pH and shrub cover, which greatly determined the composition and inter-annual dynamics of the biocrust community. Similarly, cyanobacterial abundance and soil pigment concentration were greatly determined by biotic and abiotic interactions, soil pH for pigments, and organic matter content and shrub cover for cyanobacteria. Biocrusts, and particularly the lichen component, are highly sensitive to N deposition and their responses to pollutant N can be best understood when evaluated from a temporal and multivariate perspective, including impacts mediated by interactions with biotic and abiotic drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Ochoa-Hueso
- Department of Ecology, Autonomous University of Madrid, 2 Darwin Street, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Tatiana Mondragon-Cortés
- Department of Biology, Botany Unit, Autonomous University of Madrid, 2 Darwin Street, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Concostrina-Zubiri
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, 6° Piso, Sala 11, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Lilia Serrano-Grijalva
- Department of Ecology, Autonomous University of Madrid, 2 Darwin Street, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Estébanez
- Department of Biology, Botany Unit, Autonomous University of Madrid, 2 Darwin Street, 28049, Madrid, Spain
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Cabal C, Ochoa-Hueso R, Pérez-Corona ME, Manrique E. Long-term simulated nitrogen deposition alters the plant cover dynamics of a Mediterranean rosemary shrubland in Central Spain through defoliation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:26227-26237. [PMID: 28386899 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8879-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) deposition due to anthropogenic pollution is a major driver of the global biodiversity loss. We studied the effect of experimental N and phosphorus (P) fertilization (0, 10, 20, and 50 kg N ha-1 year-1 and 14 kg P ha-1 year-1 over the background deposition levels) on plant cover dynamics of a rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) shrubland after 8 years of nutrient addition in a semiarid Mediterranean ecosystem from Central Spain. We specifically aimed at testing whether N deposition has the potential to influence the observed expanding trend of woody vegetation into areas dominated by grassland, biological soil crusts, and bare soil. Our results show that N addition loads above 10 kg N ha-1 year-1 reverted the cover dynamics of shrubs. Under N addition conditions, N was no longer a limiting nutrient and other elements, especially P and calcium, determined the seasonal growth of young twigs. Interestingly, N fertilization did not inhibit the growth of young shoots; our estimates point to a reduced rosemary leaf lifespan that is driving individuals to death. This may be triggered by long-term accumulation of N compounds in leaves, suggesting the need to consider the old organs and tissues in long-lived perennial plants, where N toxicity effects could be more mediated by accumulation processes. Shrublands are a widely distributed ecosystem type in biodiverse Mediterranean landscapes, where shrubs play a key role as nurse plants. Therefore, the disappearance of shrublands may accelerate the biodiversity loss associated with other global change drivers, hamper the recruitment of seedlings of woody species, and, as a consequence, accelerate desertification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Cabal
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales CSIC, Serrano 115 dpdo, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| | - Raúl Ochoa-Hueso
- Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Esther Pérez-Corona
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esteban Manrique
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales CSIC, Serrano 115 dpdo, 28006, Madrid, Spain
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Ochoa-Hueso R, Munzi S, Alonso R, Arróniz-Crespo M, Avila A, Bermejo V, Bobbink R, Branquinho C, Concostrina-Zubiri L, Cruz C, Cruz de Carvalho R, De Marco A, Dias T, Elustondo D, Elvira S, Estébanez B, Fusaro L, Gerosa G, Izquieta-Rojano S, Lo Cascio M, Marzuoli R, Matos P, Mereu S, Merino J, Morillas L, Nunes A, Paoletti E, Paoli L, Pinho P, Rogers IB, Santos A, Sicard P, Stevens CJ, Theobald MR. Ecological impacts of atmospheric pollution and interactions with climate change in terrestrial ecosystems of the Mediterranean Basin: Current research and future directions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 227:194-206. [PMID: 28460237 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mediterranean Basin ecosystems, their unique biodiversity, and the key services they provide are currently at risk due to air pollution and climate change, yet only a limited number of isolated and geographically-restricted studies have addressed this topic, often with contrasting results. Particularities of air pollution in this region include high O3 levels due to high air temperatures and solar radiation, the stability of air masses, and dominance of dry over wet nitrogen deposition. Moreover, the unique abiotic and biotic factors (e.g., climate, vegetation type, relevance of Saharan dust inputs) modulating the response of Mediterranean ecosystems at various spatiotemporal scales make it difficult to understand, and thus predict, the consequences of human activities that cause air pollution in the Mediterranean Basin. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement coordinated research and experimental platforms along with wider environmental monitoring networks in the region. In particular, a robust deposition monitoring network in conjunction with modelling estimates is crucial, possibly including a set of common biomonitors (ideally cryptogams, an important component of the Mediterranean vegetation), to help refine pollutant deposition maps. Additionally, increased attention must be paid to functional diversity measures in future air pollution and climate change studies to establish the necessary link between biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services in Mediterranean ecosystems. Through a coordinated effort, the Mediterranean scientific community can fill the above-mentioned gaps and reach a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying the combined effects of air pollution and climate change in the Mediterranean Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Ochoa-Hueso
- Autonomous University of Madrid, Department of Ecology, 2 Darwin Street, Madrid 28049, Spain.
| | - Silvana Munzi
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rocío Alonso
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - María Arróniz-Crespo
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Avila
- Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Victoria Bermejo
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Roland Bobbink
- B-WARE Research Centre, Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Laura Concostrina-Zubiri
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Cruz
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Cruz de Carvalho
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Teresa Dias
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - David Elustondo
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, University of Navarre, Irunlarrea, 1-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Susana Elvira
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Belén Estébanez
- Departamento de Biología, Unidad de Botánica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Darwin 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lina Fusaro
- Dept. of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Gerosa
- Dept. of Mathematics and Physics, Catholic University of Brescia, Via dei Musei 41, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sheila Izquieta-Rojano
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, University of Navarre, Irunlarrea, 1-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mauro Lo Cascio
- Department of Science for Nature and Natural Resources, University of Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola 1, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Riccardo Marzuoli
- Dept. of Mathematics and Physics, Catholic University of Brescia, Via dei Musei 41, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paula Matos
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Simone Mereu
- Department of Science for Nature and Natural Resources, University of Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola 1, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - José Merino
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera km. 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Lourdes Morillas
- Department of Science for Nature and Natural Resources, University of Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola 1, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Alice Nunes
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elena Paoletti
- IPSP-CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Paoli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Pedro Pinho
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal; CERENA-IST-UL, Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isabel B Rogers
- Lancaster Environment Center, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Arthur Santos
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pierre Sicard
- ACRI-ST, 260 route du Pin Montard, BP 234, 06904 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France
| | - Carly J Stevens
- Lancaster Environment Center, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Mark R Theobald
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
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