Forest fire effects on mercury deposition in the boreal forest.
Particulate Hg (pHg) is a component of smoke from biomass burning and has the potential for local redeposition. Throughfall (precipitation collected beneath a conifer or deciduous canopy) and open precipitation samples were collected pre- and postfire in 2005 and 2006 using passive precipitation collectors across the Superior National Forest, located in northern Minnesota, USA. Samples were collected approximately every two weeks and analyzed for total Hg (THg) and methyl Hg (MeHg). THg concentrations increased significantly postfire in conifer throughfall (> 4x increase), open precipitation (2.5x), and when all canopy types were considered (2.9x). MeHg concentrations also increased after fire regardless of the covertype (conifer throughfall: 10x increase; open precipitation: 3.5x increase; deciduous throughfall: 1.7x increase; all canopy types analyzed together: 8x increase). Total Hg deposition increased significantly under conifer cover (3.8x). Methyl Hg deposition increased significantly after fire when all canopy types were analyzed together (4.6x) and in conifer throughfall (5.9x). Canopy type influenced the magnitude of postfire THg and MeHg increase and the duration of elevated MeHg levels. Particulate Hg present in forest fire smoke represents a short-term source of increased Hg in the atmosphere that is available for local redeposition during and following fire.
University of Minnesota, Department of Soil, Water, and Climate. 1991 Upper Buford Circle, 439 Borlaug Hall. St. Paul Minnesota 55108, USA. Emma.Witt@uky.edu
Emma L
EL
Witt
Randall K
RK
Kolka
Edward A
EA
Nater
Trent R
TR
Wickman
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D005390:Fires; D008628:Mercury / Q000737:chemistry*; D008910:Minnesota; D011891:Rain; D012906:Smoke; D014197:Trees
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D012906:Smoke; D008628:Mercury