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Foliar leaching, translocation, and biogenic emission of 35S in radiolabeled loblolly pines

Journal Article · · Ecology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1940263· OSTI ID:978731
Foliar leaching, basipetal (downard) translocation, and biogenic emission of sulfur (S), as traced by {sup 35}S, were examined in a field study of loblolly pines. Four trees were radiolabeled by injection with amounts of {sup 35}S in the MBq range, and concentrations in needle fall, stemflow, throughfall, and aboveground biomass were measured over a period of 15-20 wk after injection. The contribution of dry deposition to sulfate-sulfur (SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}-S) concentrations in net throughfall (throughfall SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}-S concentration minus that in incident precipitation) beneath all four trees was >90%. Calculations indicated that about half of the summertime SO{sub 2}2 dry deposition flux to the loblolly pines was fixes in the canopy and not subsequently leached by rainfall. Based on mass balance calculations, {sup 35}S losses through biogenic emissions from girdled trees were inferred to be 25-28% of the amount injected. Estimates based on chamber methods and mass balance calculations indicated a range in daily biogenic S emission of 0.1-10 {micro}g/g dry needles. Translocation of {sup 35}S to roots in nongirdled trees was estimated to be between 14 and 25% of the injection. It is hypothesized that biogenic emission and basipetal translocation of S (and not foliar leaching) are important mechanisms by which forest trees physiologically adapt to excess S in the environment.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
978731
Journal Information:
Ecology, Journal Name: Ecology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 71; ISSN 0012-9658; ISSN ECOLAR
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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