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Effect of Sulfur Dioxide on Woody Boreal Forest Species Grown on Native Soils and Tailings¹

ABSTRACT

A study was carried out on the influence of 15.2 µmol m^–3 (0.34 ppm) (Canadian maximum acceptable limit) of SO₂ on net CO₂ assimilation rate (NAR) and visible symptom development of several boreal forest woody species. Fumigation with SO₂ significantly reduced NAR in all species and produced visible symptoms of injury in 2 to 20 d. The decrease in NAR of deciduous species {aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), willow (Salix sp.), green alder [Alnus crispa (Ait.) Parsh], and paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh)} was significantly more rapid than of conifers { jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss], and black spruce [P. mariana (Mill.) BSP]} or an evergreen angiosperm [Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum Oeder)] when grown on a fertilized Brunisol. cases did not appear until NAR had decreased considerably. The response of these metabolic and visible responses appeared to be related to differences in S uptake owing in part to higher gas exchange rates for deciduous species than for conifers.

Conifers growing in oil sands tailings responded to SO₂ with a significantly more rapid decrease in NAR as compared with those growing in the Brunisol. Because both soils were fertilized, nutrient status was ruled out as a cause. It is suggested that the conifers obtained from the railings dike were predisposed to SO₂ fumigation by either the presence of toxic material in the tailings sand or their history of exposure to moderate levels of SO₂. Sulfur uptake and visible symptom development were not different on tailings as compared with the Brunisol.

Key Words: photosynthesis • sulfur uptake • visible symptoms

¹ Contribution of the Canadian Forestry Service, Northern Forest Res. Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6H 3S5, as part of the Alberta Oil Sands Environ. Res. Program.

² Ecophysiologist and Project Leader, Toxic Substances Program, and Program Manager, Environmental Forestry; and Biochemical Research Scientist, Alberta Environ. Centre, Vegreville, Alberta T0B 4L0.

Received for publication July 5, 1983.