Download
Cite as:
Makowski, S.; Rollenbeck, R.; Trachte, K. &amp; Bendix, J. (2014): <b>Natural or anthropogenic? On the origin of atmospheric sulfate deposition in the Andes of southeastern Ecuador</b>. <i>Atmos. Chem. Phys</i> <b>14</b>, 11297–11312.

Resource Description

Title: Natural or anthropogenic? On the origin of atmospheric sulfate deposition in the Andes of southeastern Ecuador
FOR816dw ID: 1286
Publication Date: 2014-10-28
License and Usage Rights: PAK 823-825 data user agreement. (www.tropicalmountainforest.org/dataagreementp3.do)
Resource Owner(s):
Individual: Sandro Makowski
Contact:
Individual: Ruetger Rollenbeck
Contact:
Individual: Katja Trachte
Contact:
Individual: Joerg Bendix
Contact:
Abstract:
Atmospheric sulfur deposition above certain limits<br/> can represent a threat to tropical forests, causing nutrient<br/> imbalances and mobilizing toxic elements that impact biodiversity<br/> and forest productivity. Atmospheric sources of sulfur<br/> deposited by precipitation have been roughly identified in<br/> only a few lowland tropical forests. Even scarcer are studies<br/> of this type in tropical mountain forests, many of them megadiversity<br/> hotspots and especially vulnerable to acidic deposition.<br/> In these places, the topographic complexity and related<br/> streamflow conditions affect the origin, type, and intensity of<br/> deposition. Furthermore, in regions with a variety of natural<br/> and anthropogenic sulfur sources, like active volcanoes and<br/> biomass burning, no source emission data has been used for<br/> determining the contribution of each source to the deposition.<br/> The main goal of the current study is to evaluate sulfate<br/> (SO?<br/> 4 ) deposition by rain and occult precipitation at two topographic<br/> locations in a tropical mountain forest of southern<br/> Ecuador, and to trace back the deposition to possible emission<br/> sources applying back-trajectory modeling. To link upwind<br/> natural (volcanic) and anthropogenic (urban/industrial<br/> and biomass-burning) sulfur emissions and observed sulfate<br/> deposition, we employed state-of-the-art inventory and satellite<br/> data, including volcanic passive degassing as well. We<br/> conclude that biomass-burning sources generally dominate<br/> sulfate deposition at the evaluated sites. Minor sulfate transport<br/> occurs during the shifting of the predominant winds<br/> to the north and west. Occult precipitation sulfate deposition<br/> and likely rain sulfate deposition are mainly linked to<br/> biomass-burning emissions from the Amazon lowlands. Volcanic<br/> and anthropogenic emissions from the north and west<br/> contribute to occult precipitation sulfate deposition at the<br/> mountain crest Cerro del Consuelo meteorological Station and to rain-deposited sulfate at the upriver mountain pass El<br/> Tiro meteorological station.
Keywords:
| Nutrient deposition |
Literature type specific fields:
ARTICLE
Journal: Atmos. Chem. Phys
Volume: 14
Page Range: 11297–11312
Publisher: Copernicus Publications EGU
Metadata Provider:
Individual: Jörg Bendix
Contact:
Online Distribution:
Download File: http://www.tropicalmountainforest.org/publications.do?citid=1286


Quick search

  • Publications:
  • Datasets:



rnse logo

Radar Network Ecuador - Peru