Contribution of ambient ozone to changes in Scots pine defoliation. Step II of Lithuanian studies.
This study aimed to explore if changes in peak ozone (O3) concentrations may reinforce the phytotoxic effects of air concentration of acidifying compounds and their deposition, as well as unfavorable climatic factors on pine crown defoliation. Forty-eight pine stands with more than 8000 sample pine trees have been monitored annually. The impact of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on pine defoliation was found to be the most significant. The impacts of peak O3 concentrations, acid deposition, and amount of precipitation were considerably lower, whereas the impact of air temperature, the least. Contribution of peak O3 concentrations to the integrated impact of acid deposition and amount of precipitation on pine defoliation was most significant, whereas the contribution to the impact of acidifying air compounds, mainly SO2, was the least. No synergetic effect between peak O3 concentrations and high temperature during vegetation period was detected.
Augustaitis
Algirdas
A
Lithuanian University of Agriculture, LT-53362 Kaunas dstr., Lithuania. Algirdas.Augustaitis@lzuu.lt
Augustaitiene
Ingrida
I
Kliucius
Almantas
A
Girgzdiene
Rasele
R
Sopauskiene
Dalia
D
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008097:Lithuania; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D041605:Pinus sylvestris / Q000187:drug effects*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects
D000393:Air Pollutants; D010126:Ozone