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Airborne sea salt: a quantitative study of some of its effects on plants

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6499347
A study was undertaken to establish a quantitative relationship between airborne sea salt and some of its effects on plants. Air concentrations and sedimentation rates of sea salt under sea breeze conditions were determined. Air concentrations ranged from 291 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/ at the edge of the surf to 12 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/ at 600 meters inland. Sedimentation rates ranged from 36 ..mu..g/m/sup 2//sec. at the edge of the surf to 1.7 ..mu..g/m/sup 2//sec. at 600 meters inland. A rapid decrease in both air concentrations and sedimentation rates of sea salt within the first 200 meters from the surf was observed. A reproducible method for the simulation of ambient sea salt sedimentation was developed. Using this method, a number of experiments on the effect of airborne sea salt on plants was performed. The critical level for chloride toxicity in bean plants was found to be 2.6% of the dry weight. Calcium sprays or anti-transpirants had no effect in preventing airborne salt injury or uptake. Airborne sea salt treatments similar to levels measured in the field alleviated magnesium deficiency symptoms and increased the fruiting responses of beans grown under calcium, potassium and magnesium deficiency conditions.
OSTI ID:
6499347
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English