Present cement dust pollution still effects Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Abstract

Up-to-date field studies and monitoring document cement pollution impact on forests (Farmer, 2002). In Lithuania, since the 1990s, reduced level of emissions in a cement factory (CF) caused further adverse changes in the surrounding forests and some disturbances were registered in the ongoing decade. The present study was aimed to evaluate whether present level of pollution caused by the cement factory affects nutrition and general vitality of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing along 10 km transect. Sites near the CF differed in the amounts of aerial sulfur dioxide up to 9 times. The highest total deposition of calcium, potassium and sulphur reached 4.9 kg Ca ha-1 month-1 (creating 12-24 times differences between sites), 0.9 kg K ha-1 month-1 and 2.0 kg S ha–1 month–1 respectively and bark acidity (pH) of the transect pines ranged between 6.5 and 5.1. The concentration of 29 elements (N, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, B, Cu, Co, Mo, Al, Sr, Ba, Ti, Ni, Cr, Pb, V, Ag, Zr, La, Li, Nb, Y, Ga, Sc, Sn, Yb) were determined in the soil samples and 23 elements (C,N, K, P, Ca, S, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, B, Cu, Co, Mo, Al, Sr, Ba, Ti, Ni, Cr, Pb, V, Ag) in the needles of pine. In addition, on the surface of the needles Ca and some other elements were analysed. Significant differences between the stands were found according to the concentration of most elements. The highest concentrations of some nutritional elements – Fe, Mg, Mo, Cu and nonessential elements – Al, Ti, Sr, Ba, Cr, Pb, V, Ag were found in the needles of pines growing in the most polluted site. Relations between the cement dust, the needle, needle surface and soil elemental concentrations are discussed. Elevated concentrations of non-essential elements in the needles of pines growing in the most polluted area around the factory might be a reason of the worst condition of the trees.