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Impact of Emission from Oil Shale Fueled Power Plants on the Growth and Foliar Elemental Concentrations of Scots Pine in Estonia

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Abstract

To study the impact of air pollution on the growth and elemental composition of conifers, 5 sample plots wereestablished at different distances and directions from theEstonian Power Plant (Northeast Estonia) in 1999–2000. Theselected stands were 75–80(85)-yr-old parts (0.05 ha) of(Oxalis)-Myrtillus site type forest of 0.7–0.8density. The soils of all sample plots were Gleyic Podzols(Lkg) on sands. The several times higher Ca concentration inthe humus horizon of the sample plot NE from the Estonian PPis caused by the prevailing westerly and southerly winds whichcarry more pollutants NE from the power plant than to SSW. Toascertain the effect of power plants on the growth of Scotspine (Pinus sylvestris L.), the length growth of theneedles and shoots formed in 1997–2000, dry weight of 100needles, and density of needles on the shoots were measured.As compared to the control, the strongest inhibition of growthwas revealed in the sample plots situated 22 km north-east and17 km south-west from the Estonian Power Plant. As compared tocontrol, the needles of trees growing on sample plots closerto the power plant showed higher contents of Ca, S and Zn. Thecontent of Mg in needles increased with distance from thepollution source. Current year needles had higher contents ofCu and Zn than older needles. Today the amounts of fly ashemitted from Narva power plants are fallen. Long-term fly ashemission has caused changes in the measurements ofmorphological parameters and chemical composition of needles.

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  1. Department of Ecophysiology, Forest Research Institute, Estonian Agricultural University, Viljandi mnt. 18b, Tallinn, Estonia

    Katri Ots

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Ots, K. Impact of Emission from Oil Shale Fueled Power Plants on the Growth and Foliar Elemental Concentrations of Scots Pine in Estonia. Environ Monit Assess 85, 293–308 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023906428474

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