Lead distribution and fluxes in a high-elevation forest in northern Vermont

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1985.00472425001400030006x· OSTI ID:5256672

Friedland, A J; Johnson, A H

High-elevation forests receive large amounts of atmospheric lead (Pb) and accumulate it in the forest floor. In order to determine Pb partitioning in a montane, coniferous forest, we analyzed forest floor and mineral soil (Haplorthods and Fragiorthods), and vegetation parts (leaves, twigs, bark, wood) for their Pb content. Soil and stream water were sampled to estimate Pb flux. Mean Pb concentration in trees, in mg kg/sup -1/, was root bark (33.0), twigs (28.3), bark (23.0) > root wood (10.4) > foliage (3), wood (3). Total Pb in above-ground biomass (trees + shrubs + herbs) was 0.89 kg ha/sup -1/. Lead in the organic horizon (forest floor) was 20 kg ha/sup -1/ while Pb in the mineral horizon (E + B) was 63 kg ha/sup -1/. Monitoring of soil water for one year yielded volume-weighted mean Pb concentrations of 3.7, 1.8, 1.1, and 1.0 ..mu..g L/sup -1/ at 3-, 12-, 25-, and 40-cm depth, respectively. Stream Pb concentration averaged 0.6 ..mu..g l/sup -1/. We estimated annual Pb input of > 700 g ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/. Estimated output from the forest in stream water was < 12 g ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/. Annual accumulation in the forest floor is approximately 3% of the current forest floor Pb amount. At current accumulation rates, forest floor Pb amount will double in 30 to 40 yr. At current leaching rates, mean residence time of Pb in the forest floor is approximately 500 yr. The ratio of Pb input to output for the forest is 60:1.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Pennsylvania, PA
• OSTI ID: 5256672
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 14:3; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CHEMISTRY
DATA
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FEDERAL REGION I
FORESTS
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
INFORMATION
LEACHING
LEAD
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
PLANTS
POLLUTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOILS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
TREES
USA
VERMONT