Abstract:

From Boy et al. 2008:
Abstract: 
We explored the influence of biomass burning in Amazonia and northeastern Latin America on N, C, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, and Zn cycles of an Andean montane forest in south Ecuador exposed to the Amazon basin between May 1998 and April 2003. We assessed the response of the element budget of three microcatchments (8 - 13 ha) to the variations in atmospheric deposition between the intensive burning season and outside the burning season in Amazonia. There were significantly elevated H, N, and Mn depositions during biomass burning. Elevated H deposition during biomass burning caused elevated base metal loss from the canopy and the organic horizon and deteriorated already low base metal supply of the vegetation. N was only retained during biomass burning but not during nonfire conditions when deposition was much smaller. We conclude that biomass burning-related aerosol emissions in Amazonia are large enough to substantially increase element deposition at the western rim of Amazonia. Particularly the related increase of acid deposition impoverishes already base metal scarce ecosystems. As biomass burning is most intense during El Nino situations, a shortened El Nino - Southern Oscillation cycle because of global warming likely enhances the acid deposition at our study forest.

Abstract:

From Boy et al. 2008:
Abstract: 
We explored the influence of biomass burning in Amazonia and northeastern Latin America on N, C, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, and Zn cycles of an Andean montane forest in south Ecuador exposed to the Amazon basin between May 1998 and April 2003. We assessed the response of the element budget of three microcatchments (8 - 13 ha) to the variations in atmospheric deposition between the intensive burning season and outside the burning season in Amazonia. There were significantly elevated H, N, and Mn depositions during biomass burning. Elevated H deposition during biomass burning caused elevated base metal loss from the canopy and the organic horizon and deteriorated already low base metal supply of the vegetation. N was only retained during biomass burning but not during nonfire conditions when deposition was much smaller. We conclude that biomass burning-related aerosol emissions in Amazonia are large enough to substantially increase element deposition at the western rim of Amazonia. Particularly the related increase of acid deposition impoverishes already base metal scarce ecosystems. As biomass burning is most intense during El Nino situations, a shortened El Nino - Southern Oscillation cycle because of global warming likely enhances the acid deposition at our study forest.

Abstract:

Abstract:

Weekly time series of measured concentrations of Al, Mn, Zn, Cl, PO4-P, Total P, NH4-N, NO3-N, Total N, K, Na, Mg, Ca and Total organic C in precipitation in the ECSF area at the FN3 site on T2 near the ECSF meteorological station. The weekly time series extends between May 2000 and May 2013. Precipitation was sampled with 5 Hellmann-type collectors. Replicates were collected, volume-weighted and bulked to one sample per plot. Samples were immediately filtered (4-7 µm) in the laboratory of the ECSF and stored at -20 °C until transport in frozen state to Germany or to Switzerland for concentration measurements.