Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study: biogeochemistry of lead in the northern hardwood forest

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1981.00472425001000030015x· OSTI ID:6231516

Smith, W; Siccama, T G

The average annual Pb input to the northern hardwood forest at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in central New Hampshire was 266 g ha/sup -1/ year /sup -1/ based on 4 years of records. Lead output via streamwater and eroded particulate matter was 5.0 and 1.1 g ha/sup -1/ year/sup -1/, respectively. Lead concentration in precipitation averaged 22 ..mu..g liter/sup -1/ and showed a significant decline over the 4 sample years (1975 to 1978). Lead input to the ecosystem via meteorological vectors is accumulated in the forest floor. Total current Pb content of the forest floor was 8.6 kg ha/sup -1/ and showed no significant differences along the elevation gradient of the watershed (400 to 800 m). Lead concentration in the forest floor was maximum on the ridge due to a minimum forest floor mass relative to the rest of the watershed. Within the forest floor, maximum Pb concentration is in the fermented (F) layer. Total Pb content of the forest biomass (stems greater than or equal to 10 cm dbh) was 1248 g ha/sup -1/. Lead concentration in the biota was in the following order: lichens (213 ..mu..g g/sup -1/) > mosses (190 ..mu..g g/sup -1/) tree twigs (26 ..mu..g g/sup -1/) > roots (20 ..mu..g g/sup -1/) > bark (19 ..mu..g g/sup -1/) > leaves (7 ..mu..g g/sup -1/) = bracket fungi (7 ..mu..g g/sup -1/) > wood (0.7 ..mu..g g/sup -1/). Disturbance of the forest ecosystem through harvest cutting, other than through increased runoff, increased erosion, and transport of particulate matter, does not alter the biogeochemistry of Pb and does not result in increased mobility and export of Pb due to gross or subtle alterations of the behavior of Pb in the ecosystem.

• Research Organization: Yale Univ., New Haven, CT
• OSTI ID: 6231516
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 10:3; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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