Summary
The uptake of ammonia (NH3) by leaves is studied using a leaf chamber, in which a leaf attached to the plant is enclosed. With this leaf chamber NH3 uptake, transpiration and photosynthesis are measured simultaneously. In a first series of experiments leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. were exposed for a short time to different light intensities. The leaves appeared to have a high affinity for NH3. Even at high NH3 concentrations (up to 400 µg m-3) the NH3 flux into the leaf increased linearly with NH3 concentration in the leaf chamber. Resistance analysis indicated that NH3 transport into the leaf is via the stomata: transport via the cuticle is negligible under the experimental conditions. There is no internal resistance against NH3 transport. Similar results were obtained with poplar leaves (Populus euramericana L.). Also the adsorption of NH3 on the leaf surface is studied. Preliminary measurements showed that the adsorbed quantity of NH3 is strongly dependent on relative humidity of the air. More over the adsorbed quantity appeared to be proportional with NH3 concentration.
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© 1988 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels and Luxembourg
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van Hove, L.W.A., Adema, E.H., Vredenberg, W.J. (1988). The Uptake of Atmospheric Ammonia by Leaves. In: Mathy, P. (eds) Air Pollution and Ecosystems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4003-1_89
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4003-1_89
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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