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Li JY, Dong YP, Wang Y, Deng TY, Zhao ZT. Moss differentiating the fluxes and sources of nitrogen deposition between 1984 and 2021 in a mountain area of Northern China. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142684. [PMID: 38909864 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142684] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic reactive nitrogen (N) deposition has increased significantly since the industrial revolution. Northern China has become a global hotspot for N deposition. However, few studies have been conducted to quantify the historical changes of atmospheric N deposition fluxes and source contributions in Northern China. By investigating N contents and δ15N values of mosses at Mount Tai (Northern China) in 1984 and 2021, we reconstructed fluxes and source contributions of wet inorganic N deposition and evaluated their historical changes. Compared with 1984, moss N contents (from 1.7 ± 0.3% to 2.1 ± 0.4%) showed a significant increase in 2021, which was mainly attributed to a significant increase in nitrate N deposition fluxes at Mount Tai. Moss δ15N values (from -5.9 ± 0.9‰ to -5.2 ± 2.4‰) showed a slight increase from 1984 to 2021 at Mount Tai. The importance of combustion-related NH3 (including vehicle exhaust, coal combustion, and biomass burning) in 2021 (51.2%) were higher than those in 1984 (43.9%), while the importance of volatilization NH3 sources (including waste and fertilizers) in 2021 (48.8%) were lower than those in 1984 (56.1%). It was fossil-fuel NOx (from vehicle exhaust and coal combustion) (54.1%) rather than non-fossil fuel NOx (from biomass burning and microbial N cycles) (45.9%) dominated NOx emissions in both 1984 and 2021. Our results revealed significant contributions of combustion-related NH3 and fossil-fuel NOx sources emissions to the elevation of N deposition at Mount Tai in Northern China, which are beneficial for mitigating N emissions and conducting ecological benefit assessments in Northern China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yi Li
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China
| | - Yu-Ping Dong
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China.
| | - Yang Wang
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China
| | - Tong-Yue Deng
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China
| | - Zun-Tian Zhao
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China
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2
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Morera-Gómez Y, Armas-Camejo A, Santamaría JM, Alonso-Hernández CM, Lasheras E, Widory D, Elustondo D. Chemical and C and N stable isotope compositions of three species of epiphytic Tillandsia in a Caribbean coastal zone: air pollution sources and biomonitoring implications. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2024; 60:141-161. [PMID: 38270129 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2024.2304756] [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: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
We characterized the elemental and C and N stable isotope compositions of Tillandsia fasciculata Sw., Tillandsia balbisiana Schult. & Schult.f. and Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L. samples collected in Cienfuegos (Cuba). Results showed high enrichment factors for S, Hg, Cd, Pb, P, Zn, Cu, Mo, Sb and Ca in all Tillandsia species, indicating inputs from local anthropogenic activities (road traffic, industries and cement production). Carbon concentrations and δ13C varied from 38.3-47.7 % and -20.4 to -13.4 ‰ within the three species, respectively. δ13C showed seasonal dependence with the dry and wet periods and more 13C-depleted values in urban/industrial areas, coherent with the input of anthropogenic emissions. Nitrogen concentrations (0.4-1.3 %) and δ15N values (-9.9-4.4 ‰) exhibit larger variations and are positively correlated in the three species. The most positive δ15N in T. recurvata (-0.2-4.4 ‰) are attributed to contributions from industrial activities and road traffic. In fact, both δ15N and total nitrogen (TN) values increase in sites with higher road traffic and show significant correlations with typical road traffic and industrial tracers. Finally, we calculate an average total nitrogen deposition rate of 4.4 ± 2.3 kg ha-1 a-1 from N content in T. recurvata, similar to the existing values determined in the region by field measurements, but higher than the global terrestrial average.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Morera-Gómez
- Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente BIOMA, Pamplona, España
- Centro de Estudios Ambientales de Cienfuegos, Cienfuegos, Cuba
| | - Alejandro Armas-Camejo
- Centro de Estudios Ambientales de Cienfuegos, Cienfuegos, Cuba
- Research and Development Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | | | - Carlos Manuel Alonso-Hernández
- Centro de Estudios Ambientales de Cienfuegos, Cienfuegos, Cuba
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
| | - Esther Lasheras
- Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente BIOMA, Pamplona, España
| | - David Widory
- Geotop/Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal, Canada
| | - David Elustondo
- Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente BIOMA, Pamplona, España
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3
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Du C, Guo Q, Wu P, Yi Z, Wei R, Dong X, Zerizghi T, Wang Z, Zhang J. Estimating atmospheric nitrogen deposition within a large river basin using moss nitrogen and isotope signatures. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 347:140617. [PMID: 37926163 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140617] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Assessing flux and primary sources of the atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition with high spatial resolution remained challenging. The epilithic moss is considered a suitable biological monitor to explore N deposition. Our study presented a detailed analysis of flux and major source contributions of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) deposition using N and δ15N signatures of epilithic moss collected densely from the Yangtze River basin. The results showed a more negative δ15N and higher N concentration of the moss in cropland and urban area than in forest and grassland of the basin. A gradient of the estimated N deposition (9.6-34.0 kg ha-1 yr-1) occurred from the Tibetan Plateau to lower reaches, with amount of NH4+ was approximately three times higher than NO3- deposition. The contribution from volatilization to NH4+ deposition (33.28 ± 8.10%) was less than the contribution from combustion (66.72 ± 8.10%), inconsistent with the traditional findings that N fertilizer and livestock waste are the principal sources of NH3 emissions. Fossil fuel was the dominant sources of NO3- deposition, accounted for 70.22 ± 18.67%. From 2006 to 2019, the source contribution of N deposition in forest remained unchanged, while NH3 volatilization and fossil fuel emitted NOx in urban areas have increased. Our findings highlighted the importance of combustion sources to N deposition in the Yangtze River basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenjun Du
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qingjun Guo
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Pengcheng Wu
- Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Zhaoqin Yi
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, China
| | - Rongfei Wei
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xinyuan Dong
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Teklit Zerizghi
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, PO Box 100281, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Ziteng Wang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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4
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Hu CC, Liu XY. Plant nitrogen-use strategies and their responses to the urban elevation of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in southwestern China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119969. [PMID: 35981639 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119969] [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: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The elevation of nitrogen (N) deposition by urbanization profoundly impacts the structure and function of surrounding forest ecosystems. Plants are major biomass sinks of external N inputs into forests. Yet, the N-use strategies of forest plants in many areas remain unconstrained in city areas, so their responses and adapting mechanisms to the elevated N deposition are open questions. Here we investigated concentrations and N isotope (δ15N) of total N (TN) and nitrate (NO3-) in leaves and roots of four plant species in subtropical shrubberies and pine forests under N deposition levels of 13 kg-N ha-1 yr-1 and 29 kg-N ha-1 yr-1 at the Guiyang area of southwestern China, respectively. The δ15N differences between plant NO3- and soil NO3- revealed a meager NO3- reduction in leaves but a preferentially high NO3- reduction in roots. δ15N mass-balance analyses between plant TN and soil dissolved N suggested that soil NO3- contributed more than reduced N, and dissolved organic N contributed comparably with ammonium to plant TN, and the study plants preferred NO3- over reduced N. The elevation of N deposition induced root but not leaf NO3- reduction and enhanced the contribution of soil NO3- to plant TN, but plant NO3- preference decreased due to much higher magnitudes of soil NO3- enrichment than plant NO3- utilization. We conclude that plants in subtropical forests of southwestern China preferred NO3- over reduced N, and NO3- was reduced more in roots than in leaves, anthropogenic N pollution enhanced soil NO3- enrichment and plant NO3- utilization but reduced plant NO3- preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Chen Hu
- School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xue-Yan Liu
- School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
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5
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Du C, Guo Q, Zhang J. A review on moss nitrogen and isotope signatures evidence for atmospheric nitrogen deposition. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150765. [PMID: 34666089 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150765] [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: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Moss nitrogen (N) concentration and isotopic composition (δ15N) values can reveal a better understanding of atmospheric N deposition patterns. Here, we summarize the moss N content and δ15N signatures using data compiled from 104 papers. Based on the dataset, we summarize the models for assessing the level and reduced (NHx): oxidised compounds (NOx) ratio of atmospheric N deposition. Results showed a historical increase in N concentration and 15N depletion of specimen mosses close to anthropogenic N sources from intensive animal production and agricultural activities (NHx emission) since the 1800s. However, an increase of moss N with a less negative 15N observed in the last three decades could be due to a substantial fossil fuel combustion contributed NOx emission. Spatially, N deposition in Europe decreased due to successful control actions, but Asia has become a hotspot for NHx emission from agriculture. The present results highlight the importance of moss N and δ15N values for estimating atmospheric N deposition patterns at spatio-temporal trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenjun Du
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qingjun Guo
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Selecting Biomonitors of Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition: Guidelines for Practitioners and Decision Makers. NITROGEN 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/nitrogen2030021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollution is a major threat to public health and is the cause of important economic losses worldwide. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is one of the most significant components of environmental pollution, which, in addition to being a health risk, is one of the leading drivers of global biodiversity loss. However, monitoring pollution is not possible in many regions of the world because the instrumentation, deployment, operation, and maintenance of automated systems is onerous. An affordable alternative is the use of biomonitors, naturally occurring or transplanted organisms that respond to environmental pollution with a consistent and measurable ecophysiological response. This policy brief advocates for the use of biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Descriptions of the biological and monitoring particularities of commonly utilized biomonitor lichens, bryophytes, vascular epiphytes, herbs, and woody plants, are followed by a discussion of the principal ecophysiological parameters that have been shown to respond to the different nitrogen emissions and their rate of deposition.
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Bourgeois I, Clément JC, Caillon N, Savarino J. Foliar uptake of atmospheric nitrate by two dominant subalpine plants: insights from in situ triple-isotope analysis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2019; 223:1784-1794. [PMID: 30802966 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The significance of foliar uptake of nitrogen (N) compounds in natural conditions is not well understood, despite growing evidence of its importance to plant nutrition. In subalpine meadows, N-limitation fosters the dominance of specific subalpine plant species, which in turn ensures the provision of essential ecosystems services. Understanding how these plants absorb N and from which sources is important in predicting ecological consequences of increasing N deposition. Here, we investigate the sources of N to plants from subalpine meadows with distinct land-use history in the French Alps, using the triple isotopes (Δ17 O, δ18 O, and δ15 N) of plant tissue nitrate (NO3- ). We use this approach to evaluate the significance of foliar uptake of atmospheric NO3- (NO3-atm ). The foliar uptake of NO3-atm accounted for 4-16% of the leaf NO3- content, and contributed more to the leaf NO3- pool after peak biomass. Additionally, the gradual 15 N enrichment of NO3- from the soil to the leaves reflected the contribution of NO3-atm assimilation to plants' metabolism. The present study confirms that foliar uptake is a potentially important pathway for NO3-atm into subalpine plants. This is of major significance as N emissions (and deposition) are predicted to increase globally in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilann Bourgeois
- CNRS, IRD, Grenoble INP, IGE, University of Grenoble Alpes, F-38000, Grenoble, France
- CNRS, LECA, University of Grenoble Alpes, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Clément
- CNRS, LECA, University of Grenoble Alpes, F-38000, Grenoble, France
- INRA, CARRTEL, University of Savoie Mont Blanc, F-74200, Thonon-Les Bains, France
| | - Nicolas Caillon
- CNRS, IRD, Grenoble INP, IGE, University of Grenoble Alpes, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Joël Savarino
- CNRS, IRD, Grenoble INP, IGE, University of Grenoble Alpes, F-38000, Grenoble, France
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8
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Zhu RG, Xiao HY, Zhang Z, Lai Y. Compound-specific δ 15N composition of free amino acids in moss as indicators of atmospheric nitrogen sources. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14347. [PMID: 30254224 PMCID: PMC6156404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32531-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Haplocladium microphyllum moss samples were collected in Nanchang, China. Free amino acid (FAA) concentrations and N isotope compositions (δ15NFAA) in the samples were determined and compared with the bulk N concentrations and δ15Nbulk values. The aim was to determine whether δ15NFAA values in moss (which are very variable) indicate the sources of atmospheric N. The δ15NFAA values among individual FAA varied widely (from -19.3‰ to +16.1‰), possibly because of the different sources of N and isotope fractionation in amino acids metabolic pathways. Total 15N-enrichment for the individual FAAs was equal to total 15N-depletion relative to δ15Nbulk. The concentration-weighted mean δ15N value for total FAAs (TFAA) (δ15NTFAA) was -3.1‰ ± 3.2‰, which was similar to δ15Nbulk (-4.0‰ ± 2.9‰). We concluded that a N isotope balance occurred during amino acid metabolism and that little isotope disparity occurred between the concentration-weighted TFAA and bulk N. We concluded that δ15NTFAA ≈ δ15Nbulk ≈ δ15Nsource. The mean δ15Nalanine (-4.1‰), δ15Nglutamate (-4.2‰), and δ15Nlysine (-4.0‰) were similar to the mean δ15Nbulk, which we attributed to little isotope fractionation occurring during their in situ the metabolic pathways. This suggests that δ15Nalanine, δ15Nglutamate, and δ15Nlysine in moss can be used to indicate the sources of atmospheric N deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Guo Zhu
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of the Causes and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China
- College of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China
| | - Hua-Yun Xiao
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of the Causes and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China.
- College of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China.
| | - Zhongyi Zhang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of the Causes and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China
- College of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China
| | - Yuanyuan Lai
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of the Causes and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China
- College of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China
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Díaz-Álvarez EA, de la Barrera E. Characterization of nitrogen deposition in a megalopolis by means of atmospheric biomonitors. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13569. [PMID: 30206292 PMCID: PMC6134112 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32000-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
An increase of nitrogen deposition resulting from human activities is not only a major threat for global biodiversity, but also for human health, especially in highly populated regions. It is thus important and in some instances legally mandated to monitor reactive nitrogen species in the atmosphere. The utilization of widely distributed biological species suitable for biomonitoring may be a good alternative. We assessed the suitability of an ensemble of atmospheric biomonitors of nitrogen deposition by means of an extensive sampling of a lichen, two mosses, and a bromeliad throughout the Valley of Mexico, whose population reaches 30 million, and subsequent measurements of nitrogen metabolism parameters. In all cases we found significant responses of nitrogen content, C:N ratio and the δ15N to season and site. In turn, the δ15N for the mosses responded linearly to the wet deposition. Also, the nitrogen content (R2 = 0.7), the C:N ratio (R2 = 0.6), and δ15N (R2 = 0.5) for the bromeliad had a linear response to NOx. However, the bromeliad was not found in sites with NOx concentrations exceeding 80 ppb, apparently of as a consequence of excess nitrogen. These biomonitors can be utilized in tandem to determine the status of atmospheric nitrogenous pollution in regions without monitoring networks for avoiding health problems for ecosystems and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edison A Díaz-Álvarez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, 58190, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Erick de la Barrera
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, 58190, Michoacán, Mexico.
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Díaz-Álvarez EA, Lindig-Cisneros R, de la Barrera E. Biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition: potential uses and limitations. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy011. [PMID: 29564134 PMCID: PMC5848806 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is the third largest cause of global biodiversity loss, with rates that have more than doubled over the past century. This is especially threatening for tropical regions where the deposition may soon exceed 25 kg of N ha-1 year-1, well above the threshold for physiological damage of 12-20 kg of N ha-1 year-1, depending on plant species and nitrogenous compound. It is thus urgent to monitor these regions where the most diverse biotas occur. However, most studies have been conducted in Europe, the USA and recently in China. This review presents the case for the potential use of biological organisms to monitor nitrogen deposition, with emphasis on tropical plants. We first present an overview of atmospheric chemistry and the nitrogen metabolism of potential biomonitors, followed by a framework for monitoring nitrogen deposition based on the simultaneous use of various functional groups. In particular, the tissue nitrogen content responds to the rate of deposition, especially for mosses, whose nitrogen content increases by 1‰ per kilogram of N ha-1 year-1. The isotopic signature, δ15N, is a useful indicator of the nitrogen source, as the slightly negative values (e.g. 5‰) of plants from natural environments can become very negative (-11.2‰) in sites with agricultural and husbandry activities, but very positive (13.3‰) in urban environments with high vehicular activity. Mosses are good biomonitors for wet deposition and atmospheric epiphytes for dry deposition. In turn, the nitrogen saturation of ecosystems can be monitored with trees whose isotopic values increase with saturation. Although given ecophysiological limitations of different organisms, particular studies should be conducted in each area of interest to determine the most suitable biomonitors. Overall, biomonitors can provide an integrative approach for characterizing nitrogen deposition in regions where the deployment of automated instruments or passive monitoring is not feasible or can be complementary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edison A Díaz-Álvarez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, C.U., Mexico City 04510, Mexico
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ant. Ctra. a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia, Michoacán 58190, Mexico
| | - Roberto Lindig-Cisneros
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ant. Ctra. a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia, Michoacán 58190, Mexico
| | - Erick de la Barrera
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ant. Ctra. a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia, Michoacán 58190, Mexico
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11
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Liu XY, Xiao HW, Xiao HY, Song W, Sun XC, Zheng XD, Liu CQ, Koba K. Stable isotope analyses of precipitation nitrogen sources in Guiyang, southwestern China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 230:486-494. [PMID: 28688925 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
To constrain sources of anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition is critical for effective reduction of reactive N emissions and better evaluation of N deposition effects. This study measured δ15N signatures of nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+) and total dissolved N (TDN) in precipitation at Guiyang, southwestern China and estimated contributions of dominant N sources using a Bayesian isotope mixing model. For NO3-, the contribution of non-fossil N oxides (NOx, mainly from biomass burning (24 ± 12%) and microbial N cycle (26 ± 5%)) equals that of fossil NOx, to which vehicle exhausts (31 ± 19%) contributed more than coal combustion (19 ± 9%). For NH4+, ammonia (NH3) from volatilization sources (mainly animal wastes (22 ± 12%) and fertilizers (22 ± 10%)) contributed less than NH3 from combustion sources (mainly biomass burning (17 ± 8%), vehicle exhausts (19 ± 11%) and coal combustions (19 ± 12%)). Dissolved organic N (DON) accounted for 41% in precipitation TDN deposition during the study period. Precipitation DON had higher δ15N values in cooler months (13.1‰) than in warmer months (-7.0‰), indicating the dominance of primary and secondary ON sources, respectively. These results newly underscored the importance of non-fossil NOx, fossil NH3 and organic N in precipitation N inputs of urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yan Liu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China; Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China.
| | - Hong-Wei Xiao
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment (Ministry of Education), East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Hua-Yun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China.
| | - Wei Song
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xin-Chao Sun
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xu-Dong Zheng
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Cong-Qiang Liu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China
| | - Keisuke Koba
- Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan; Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Shiga, 520-2113, Japan
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12
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Dong YP, Liu XY, Sun XC, Song W, Zheng XD, Li R, Liu CQ. Inter-species and intra-annual variations of moss nitrogen utilization: Implications for nitrogen deposition assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 230:506-515. [PMID: 28692942 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.058] [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: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Moss nitrogen (N) concentrations and natural 15N abundance (δ15N values) have been widely employed to evaluate annual levels and major sources of atmospheric N deposition. However, different moss species and one-off sampling were often used among extant studies, it remains unclear whether moss N parameters differ with species and different samplings, which prevented more accurate assessment of N deposition via moss survey. Here concentrations, isotopic ratios of bulk carbon (C) and bulk N in natural epilithic mosses (Bryum argenteum, Eurohypnum leptothallum, Haplocladium microphyllum and Hypnum plumaeforme) were measured monthly from August 2006 to August 2007 at Guiyang, SW China. The H. plumaeforme had significantly (P < 0.05) lower bulk N concentrations and higher δ13C values than other species. Moss N concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in warmer months than in cooler months, while moss δ13C values exhibited an opposite pattern. The variance component analyses showed that different species contributed more variations of moss N concentrations and δ13C values than different samplings. Differently, δ15N values did not differ significantly between moss species, and its variance mainly reflected variations of assimilated N sources, with ammonium as the dominant contributor. These results unambiguously reveal the influence of inter-species and intra-annual variations of moss N utilization on N deposition assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ping Dong
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xue-Yan Liu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China.
| | - Xin-Chao Sun
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
| | - Wei Song
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xu-Dong Zheng
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Rui Li
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Cong-Qiang Liu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China
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Díaz-Álvarez EA, Reyes-García C, de la Barrera E. A δ(15)N assessment of nitrogen deposition for the endangered epiphytic orchid Laelia speciosa from a city and an oak forest in Mexico. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2016; 129:863-872. [PMID: 27282994 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-016-0843-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric nitrogen deposition poses a major threat to global biodiversity. Tropical epiphytic plants are especially at risk given their reliance on atmospheric sources of nutrients. The leaf, pseudobulb, and root carbon and nitrogen content, C:N ratio, as well as the nitrogen isotopic composition were studied for individuals of Laelia speciosa from a city and from an oak forest in Mexico. The nitrogen content of leaves was similar between the city and the oak forest, reaching 1.3 ± 0.2 % (dry mass). The δ(15)N of leaves, pseudobulbs, and roots reached 5.6 ± 0.2 ‰ in the city, values found in sites exposed to industrial and vehicular activities. The δ(15)N for plant from the oak forest amounted to -3.1 ± 0.3 ‰, which is similar to values measured from sites with low industrial activities. Some orchids such as Laelia speciosa produce a single pseudobulb per year, i.e., a water and nutrient storage organ, so the interannual nitrogen deposition was studied by considering the ten most recent pseudobulbs for plants from either site formed between 2003 and 2012. The C:N ratio of the ten most recent pseudobulbs from the oak forest, as well as that of the pseudobulbs formed before 2010 for plants in the city were indistinguishable from each other, averaging 132.4 ± 6.5, while it was lower for the two most recent pseudobulbs in the city. The δ(15)N values of pseudobulbs from the oak forest averaged ‒4.4 ± 0.1 ‰ for the entire series. The δ(15)N ranged from 0.1 ± 1.6 ‰ for the oldest pseudobulb to 4.7 ± 0.2 ‰ for the pseudobulb formed in the city from 2008 onwards. Isotopic analysis and the C:N ratio for L. speciosa revealed that rates of nitrogen deposition were higher in the city than in the forest. The δ(15)N values of series of pseudobulbs showed that it is possible to track nitrogen deposition over multiple years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edison A Díaz-Álvarez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, México, Distrito Federal, Mexico
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua carretera a Páztcuaro 8701. Col. Ex-Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, 58190, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | | | - Erick de la Barrera
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua carretera a Páztcuaro 8701. Col. Ex-Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, 58190, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.
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Cui J, Zhou J, Peng Y, Chan A, Mao J. Effects of atmospheric deposition nitrogen flux and its composition on soil solution chemistry from a red soil farmland, southeast China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2015; 17:2082-2091. [PMID: 26515781 DOI: 10.1039/c5em00383k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A detailed study on the solution chemistry of red soil in South China is presented. Data are collected from two simulated column-leaching experiments with an improved setup to evaluate the effects of atmospheric N deposition (ADN) composition and ADN flux on agricultural soil acidification using a (15)N tracer technique and an in situ soil solution sampler. The results show that solution pH values decline regardless of the increase of the NH4(+)/NO3(-) ratio in the ADN composition or ADN flux, while exchangeable Al(3+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and K(+) concentrations increase at different soil depths (20, 40, and 60 cm). Compared with the control, ADN (60 kg per ha per year N, NH4(+)/NO3(-) ratio of 2 : 1) decreases solution pH values, increases solution concentrations of NO3(-)-N, Al(3+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) at the middle and lower soil depths, and promotes their removal. NH4(+)-N was not detected in red soil solutions of all the three soil layers, which might be attributed to effects of nitrification, absorption and fixation in farmland red soil. Some of the NO3(-)-N concentrations at 40-60 cm soil depth exceed the safe drinking level of 10 mg L(-1), especially when the ADN flux is beyond 60 kg ha(-1) N. These features are critical for understanding the ADN agro-ecological effects, and for future assessment of ecological critical loads of ADN in red soil farmlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Cui
- Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China. and Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Ying Peng
- Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Andrew Chan
- Division of Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Semenyih, 43500, Malaysia
| | - Jingdong Mao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529-0126, USA
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Harmens H, Schnyder E, Thöni L, Cooper DM, Mills G, Leblond S, Mohr K, Poikolainen J, Santamaria J, Skudnik M, Zechmeister HG, Lindroos AJ, Hanus-Illnar A. Relationship between site-specific nitrogen concentrations in mosses and measured wet bulk atmospheric nitrogen deposition across Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2014; 194:50-59. [PMID: 25094057 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
To assess the relationship between nitrogen concentrations in mosses and wet bulk nitrogen deposition or concentrations in precipitation, moss tissue and deposition were sampled within a distance of 1 km of each other in seven European countries. Relationships for various forms of nitrogen appeared to be asymptotic, with data for different countries being positioned at different locations along the asymptotic relationship and saturation occurring at a wet bulk nitrogen deposition of ca. 20 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1). The asymptotic behaviour was more pronounced for ammonium-N than nitrate-N, with high ammonium deposition at German sites being most influential in providing evidence of the asymptotic behaviour. Within countries, relationships were only significant for Finland and Switzerland and were more or less linear. The results confirm previous relationships described for modelled total deposition. Nitrogen concentration in mosses can be applied to identify areas at risk of high nitrogen deposition at European scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Harmens
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Elvira Schnyder
- FUB-Research Group for Environmental Monitoring, Alte Jonastrasse 83, CH-8640 Rapperswil, Switzerland (1)
| | - Lotti Thöni
- FUB-Research Group for Environmental Monitoring, Alte Jonastrasse 83, CH-8640 Rapperswil, Switzerland (1)
| | - David M Cooper
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Gina Mills
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Sébastien Leblond
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 57 rue Cuvier, Case 39, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Karsten Mohr
- Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen, Mars-la-Tour Str. 1-13, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Jarmo Poikolainen
- Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 413, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland.
| | | | - Mitja Skudnik
- Slovenian Forestry Institute, Vecna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Liu XY, Koba K, Makabe A, Liu CQ. Nitrate dynamics in natural plants: insights based on the concentration and natural isotope abundances of tissue nitrate. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2014; 5:355. [PMID: 25101106 PMCID: PMC4108036 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2014.00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The dynamics of nitrate (NO(-) 3), a major nitrogen (N) source for natural plants, has been studied mostly through experimental N addition, enzymatic assay, isotope labeling, and genetic expression. However, artificial N supply may not reasonably reflect the N strategies in natural plants because NO(-) 3 uptake and reduction may vary with external N availability. Due to abrupt application and short operation time, field N addition, and isotopic labeling hinder the elucidation of in situ NO(-) 3-use mechanisms. The concentration and natural isotopes of tissue NO(-) 3 can offer insights into the plant NO(-) 3 sources and dynamics in a natural context. Furthermore, they facilitate the exploration of plant NO(-) 3 utilization and its interaction with N pollution and ecosystem N cycles without disturbing the N pools. The present study was conducted to review the application of the denitrifier method for concentration and isotope analyses of NO(-) 3 in plants. Moreover, this study highlights the utility and advantages of these parameters in interpreting NO(-) 3 sources and dynamics in natural plants. We summarize the major sources and reduction processes of NO(-) 3 in plants, and discuss the implications of NO(-) 3 concentration in plant tissues based on existing data. Particular emphasis was laid on the regulation of soil NO(-) 3 and plant ecophysiological functions in interspecific and intra-plant NO(-) 3 variations. We introduce N and O isotope systematics of NO(-) 3 in plants and discuss the principles and feasibilities of using isotopic enrichment and fractionation factors; the correlation between concentration and isotopes (N and O isotopes: δ(18)O and Δ(17)O); and isotope mass-balance calculations to constrain sources and reduction of NO(-) 3 in possible scenarios for natural plants are deliberated. Finally, we offer a preliminary framework of intraplant δ(18)O-NO(-) 3 variation, and summarize the uncertainties in using tissue NO(-) 3 parameters to interpret plant NO(-) 3 utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesGuiyang, China
- Department of Environmental Science on Biosphere, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchu, Japan
| | - Keisuke Koba
- Department of Environmental Science on Biosphere, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchu, Japan
| | - Akiko Makabe
- Department of Environmental Science on Biosphere, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchu, Japan
| | - Cong-Qiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesGuiyang, China
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17
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Liu XY, Koba K, Makabe A, Li XD, Yoh M, Liu CQ. Ammonium first: natural mosses prefer atmospheric ammonium but vary utilization of dissolved organic nitrogen depending on habitat and nitrogen deposition. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2013; 199:407-419. [PMID: 23692546 DOI: 10.1111/nph.12284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Mosses, among all types of terrestrial vegetation, are excellent scavengers of anthropogenic nitrogen (N), but their utilization of dissolved organic N (DON) and their reliance on atmospheric N remain uncharacterized in natural environments, which obscures their roles in N cycles. Natural (15) N abundance of N sources (nitrate (NO(3)(-)), ammonium (NH(4)(+)) and DON in deposition and soil) for epilithic and terricolous mosses was analyzed at sites with different N depositions at Guiyang, China. Moss NO(3)(-) assimilation was inhibited substantially by the high supply of NH(4)(+) and DON. Therefore, contributions of NH(4)(+) and DON to moss N were partitioned using isotopic mass-balance methods. The N contributions averaged 56% and 46% from atmospheric NH(4)(+), and 44% and 17% from atmospheric DON in epilithic and terricolous mosses, respectively. In terricolous mosses, soil NH(4)(+) and soil DON accounted for 16% and 21% of bulk N, which are higher than current estimations obtained using (15) N-labeling methods. Moreover, anthropogenic NH(4)(+) deposition suppressed utilization of DON and soil N because of the preference of moss for NH(4)(+) under elevated NH(4)(+) deposition. These results underscore the dominance of, and preference for, atmospheric NH(4)(+) in moss N utilization, and highlight the importance of considering DON and soil N sources when estimating moss N sequestration and the impacts of N deposition on mosses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China
- Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, 1838509, Japan
| | - Keisuke Koba
- Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, 1838509, Japan
| | - Akiko Makabe
- Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, 1838509, Japan
| | - Xiao-Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China
| | - Muneoki Yoh
- Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, 1838509, Japan
| | - Cong-Qiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China
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