10.5061/DRYAD.7WM37PVSQ
Pleijel, Håkan
0000-0002-6975-5984
University of Gothenburg
Klingberg, Jenny
0000-0001-7081-2782
Gothenburg Botanical Garden
Nerentorp, Michelle
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
Broberg, Malin
University of Gothenburg
Nyirambangutse, Brigitte
University of Rwanda
Munthe, John
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
Wallin, Göran
0000-0002-5359-1102
University of Gothenburg
Broberg, Malin C.
University of Gothenburg
Mercury accumulation in leaves of different plant types – the significance
of tissue age and specific leaf area
Dryad
dataset
2021
Mercury
specific leaf area (SLA)
conifer
broadleaved trees
Wheat
ICP-MS
accumulation
Biogeochemistry
Swedish Research Council for Environment Agricultural Sciences and
Spatial Planning
https://ror.org/03pjs1y45
2017-00696
Strategic Research Area BECC - Biodiveristy and Ecosystem Services in a
Changing Climate*
Helge Ax:son Johnsons Stiftelse
https://ror.org/0527w1g58
2021-11-30T00:00:00Z
2021-11-30T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2021-117
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5744266
43056 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Mercury, Hg, is one of the most problematic metals from an environmental
perspective. To assess the problems caused by Hg in the environment it is
crucial to understand the processes of Hg biogeochemistry, but the
exchange of Hg between the atmosphere and vegetation is not sufficiently
well characterised. We explored the mercury concentration, [Hg], in
foliage from a diverse set of plant types, locations and sampling periods
to study whether there is a continuous accumulation of Hg in
leaves/needles over time. Measurements of [Hg] were made in deciduous and
conifer trees in Gothenburg, Sweden (Botanical Garden and city area) as
well as of evergreen trees in Rwanda. In addition, data for wheat from an
ozone experiment conducted at Östad, Sweden, were included. Conifer data
were quantitatively compared with literature data. In every case where
older foliage was directly compared with younger, [Hg] was higher in older
tissue. Covering the range of current year up to four-year old needles,
there was no sign of Hg saturation in conifer needles with age. Thus, over
time scales of approximately one month to several years, the Hg uptake in
foliage from the atmosphere always dominated over Hg evasion. Rwandan
broadleaved trees had generally older leaves due to lack of seasonal
abscission and higher [Hg] than Swedish broadleaved trees. The
significance of atmospheric Hg uptake in plants was shown in a wheat
experiment where charcoal filtrated air lead to significantly lower leaf
[Hg]. To search for general patterns, the accumulation rates of Hg in the
diverse set of tree species in the Gothenburg area were related to the
specific leaf area (SLA). Leaf area based [Hg] was strongly negatively and
non-linearly correlated with SLA, while mass-based [Hg] had a somewhat
weaker positive relationship with SLA (both relationships with p <
0.001). An elaborated understanding of the relationship behind [Hg] and
SLA would support large-scale modelling of Hg uptake by vegetation and Hg
circulation in general.
Analyses of mercury in leaves and needles of trees as well as wheat
collected in the field in Sweden and Rwanda. Chemical analysis was made by
ICP-MS. Specific leaf area was estimated and used to calculate unit leaf
area mercury concentration.
No missing values but some samples for wheat were below detection limit
(clearly indicated in the data file). Detailed descriptions of sites and
sampling methods will be described in a manuscript to be submitted to
Biogeosciences.