The Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Spring Wheat Leaves at the Jointing Stage

In order to investigate the effect of acid rain on photosynthetic characteristics of spring wheat,spring wheat at the jointing stage was sprayed with simulated acid rain at different pH levels of 1.5,2.5,3.5,4.5 and 5.6,and then,the photosynthetic parameters of spring wheat leaf was monitored.The results indicated that the pH value of simulated acid rain was positively and very significantly correlated with the net photosynthetic rate,stomata conductance,transpiration rate,water use efficiency and the chlorophyll relative content,whereas very significantly and negatively correlated with intercellular CO2 concentration.Due to acid rain,the net photosynthetic rate,stomata conductance,transpiration rate and the chlorophyll relative content decreased by 4.08%-67.04%,17.44%-58.44%,12.08%-48.08% and 12.16%-37.23% respectively,while intercellular CO2 concentration increased by 9.01%-14.29%.After simulated treatment with acid rain,the net photosynthetic rate had high significant positive correlation with stomata conductance,transpiration rate,water use efficiency,and the chlorophyll relative content,but high significant negative correlation with intercellular CO2 concentration.At the same time,transpiration rate was observed to be very significantly and positively correlated to stomata conductance and chlorophyll relative content,being significantly and positively correlated with water use efficiency,and very significantly and negatively correlated with intercellular CO2 concentration.In a word,the influence of simulated acid rain on photosynthetic characteristics of spring wheat leaf became more and more obvious with the increase of hydrogen ion concentration.

Effect of Simulated Acid Rain on Potential Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization in Forest Soils

Acid rain is a serious environmental problem worldwide. In this study, a pot experiment using forest soils planted with the seedlings of four woody species was performed with weekly treatments of pH 4.40, 4.00, 3.52, and 3.05 simulated acid rain (SAR) for 42 months compared to a control of pH 5.00 lake water. The cumulative amounts of C and N mineralization in the five treated soils were determined after incubation at 25 ℃ for 65 d to examine the effects of SAR treatments. For all five treatments, cumulative CO2-C production ranged from 20.24 to 27.81 mg kg-1 dry soil, net production of available N from 17.37 to 48.95 mg kg-1 dry soil, and net production of NO-3 -N from 9.09 to 46.23 mg kg-1 dry soil. SAR treatments generally enhanced the emission of CO2-C from the soils; however, SAR with pH 3.05 inhibited the emission. SAR treatments decreased the net production of available N and NO3-N. The cumulative CH4 and N2O productions from the soils increased with increasing amount of simulated acid rain. The cumulative CO2-C production and the net production of available N of the soil under Acmena acuminatissima were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than those under Schima superba and Cryptocarya concinna. The mineralization of soil organic C was related to the contents of soil organic C and N, but was not related to soil pH. However, the overall effect of acid rain on the storage of soil organic matter and the cycling of important nutrients depended on the amount of acid deposition and the types of forests.

Effects of simulated acid rain on fertility of litchi

The regulatory role of calcium in fertility of pollen and pistil under simulated acid rain was investigated. The germination percentage of pollen treated with acid rain of pH 4.5 was 9.42% lower than that of control, and that of pH 3.5, pH 2.5 and pH 1.5 were 22.47%, 45.49% and 71.62%, respectively. Simultaneously, the injury character of pollen was obviously observed when flowers were treated with acid rain of pH 3.5. The difference in fruit setting rate between the female flower treated with acid rain of pH 4.0 and the control was significant at p 〈 0.05. Ca（NO3 ）5 of 0.2-0.4 mmol/L could promote pollen germination under the stress of acid rain. The beneficial function was reduced when calcium concentration surpassed 0.8 mmol/L. Spraying 2 mmol/L Ca（NO3 ）5 reduced the injury of acid rain to pistil and increased fruit-setting rate significantly. The physiological importance of calcium during pollen germination and pistil development was also discussed.

Effects of simulated acid rain on seedling emergence and growth of five broad-leaved species

Seeds and seedlings of five broad-leaved species were separately exposed to simulated acid rain at pH values of 2.0, 3.5, 5.0, and 6.0, or to distilled water (the control). The results showed that seed germination was remarkably inhibited by pH 2.0 treatment for three species. Significant foliar damage, decline in chlorophyll contents, and retardation of the seedlings growth of all the species, were observed at pH 2.0 treatment. The pH 2.0 treatment seemed to be a threshold level for inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth for all the treated species, while seedling was stimulated at pH value between 3.5 and 5.0.

Application of Ground Phosphate Rock to Dimmish the Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on Soil Properties

The effects of simulated acid rain retained in soil on the properties of acid soil and its diminishing by application of ground phosphate rock were investigated by using the sorption method. Results show as follows: (1) For yellow brown soil, the effect of simulated acid rain on the properties of soil with a pH value of 5.9 was relatively small, except a great quantity of acid rain deposited on it. (2) For red soil, the effect of simulated acid rain on the properties of soil was significant. With the increase of the amount of acid deposition, the pH value of soil was declined, but the contents of exchangeable H+, Al3+ and Mn2+ and the amount of SO42- retention were increased. (3) Many properties of acid soils could be improved by applying ground phosphate rock. For example, pH value of soils and the amounts of available P and exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ were increased, and the amounts of exchangeable H+ and Al3+ and SO42- retained was reduced. The application of ground posphate rock could effctively dimmish the pollution of acid rain to soil.

Corrosion and Runoff Behavior of Carbon Steel in Simulated Acid Rain

Under the condition of simulated rain precipitation in the laboratory, with EIS and SEM observation, the effects of pH value of simulated rain on corrosion and runoff behavior of carbon steel A3 were studied. The corrosion rate of A3 steel increased and runoff action of rain precipitation on A3 steel surface was intensified with decreasing pH value, of simulated rainwater. The runoff and corrosion traces were formed along the flowing direction of rainwater, which appeared more apparently with decreasing pH value.

Effects of simulated acid rain on root growth of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Schima superba saplings planted in acidified soil

Results from pot culture (with one-year old Cunninghamia lanceolata and Schima superba) are described. It was found that the biomass production and elongation of C. lanceolata was seriously inhibited at pH 2.0 rain, but for S. superba, was not affected markedly. When pH values of experimental rain were higher than 2.0, the root growth of both species was not adversely affected. Aluminium had already accumulated to some degrees in the roots of both trees, and started to affect the root growth of C. lanceolata at pH 2.0 rain. The soil chemistry was also examined. Increased acidity of experimental rain increased the leaching of Ca and Mg. The Al/Ca mol ratio increased from 0.3 to 0.9 in top soil, and in rhizosphere to 1.5 when the pH values of simulated acid rain were 4.5 to 2.0. In this experiment, NO3- fertilization effect was discovered.

Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on Main Nutritional Indicators of Three Leafy Vegetables

The purpose of this paper was to identify content changes in the main nutritional indicators of three common leafy vegetables, and to provide a theoretical basis for the protection of leafy vegetables from acid rain. The experiment investigated the effects of simulated acid rain on four main nutritional indicators, including soluble sugar, total free amino acid, soluble protein and vitamin C during the application of simulated acid rain(SAR) in pakchoi(Brassica rapa chinensis), rape(Brassica campestris L.) and lettuce(Lactuca sativa Linn. var. ramosa Hort). The vegetables were respectively exposed to SAR of pH=7.0, 5.6, 5.0, 4.0, 3.0 and a control level of pH=6.5. The concentrations of the four main nutritional indicators were determined at harvest. The results show that nutritional quality of the three leafy vegetable species decreased with the declining of pH values of SAR. The higher the acidity of SAR was, the more significant the inhibitions were. Nutritional quality of lettuce was the most affected by simulated acid rain, followed by pakchoi and rape. The change range of soluble protein content was higher than those of the other three indicators’ contents, which indicates that soluble protein is most sensitive to simulated acid rain.

Corrosion behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy in simulated acid rain solution

The corrosion mechanism of AZ31 magnesium alloy used as automobile components and the influence of the concentration of Cl- ion in simulated acid rain(SAR)were studied by electrochemical tests and SEM.The results show that pitting corrosion happens around the AlMn phases locating at the grain boundary.The corrosion of AZ31 magnesium alloy in SAR is controlled by the rate of anodic dissolution and hydrogen evolution,and the corrosion rate of AZ31 increases with increasing concentration of Cl- ion.However,the Cl- ion in SAR is not the main influencing factor inducing the pitting corrosion.

Responses of antioxidant enzyme and photosynthesis in rape seedling to the combined stresses of acid rain and ultraviolet-B radiation

Effects of the simulated acid rain（AR） and ultraviolet-B（UV-B, 280-320 nm） radiation with a single or two ways simultaneously （AR ＋ UV-B） on the antioxidant enzyme and photosynthesis of the rape seedlings were investigated by the hydroponic culture. The results of static experiment indicated that the tolerance of rape seedling to single stress（AR or UV-B） is stronger than that to dual stresses（AR ＋ UV-B）. Furthermore, the dual stresses had additive effect on catalase activity, and a synergistic effect on MDA content, net photosynthesis rate, water use efficiency as well as intercellular CO2 concentration. Meanwhile, it has an independent effect on chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate as well as membrane permeability. During 64 h restoration course, the dynamic change in the curves of physiological and biochemical indices were not identical, and none of them show a simple linear variation. According to the static and dynamic experiments, it was found that a responsive sequence of catalase activity, membrane permeability, MDA content and photosynthetic characteristics to the above-mentioned stresses was as follows： AR ＋ UV-B 〉 UV-B 〉 AR.

Seed germination and seedling emergence of four tree species of southern China in response to acid rain

Acid rain has become a major concern due to increasing atmospheric pollution,particularly in China.We investigated whether acid rain inhibits the germination of seeds and subsequent emergence of seedling of four tree species from southern China:Cunninghamia lanceolata,Fokienia hodginisi,Pinus massoniana and Phoebe zhennan by simulating acid rain with pH of 2.5,3.5,4.5 and 5.5.We hypothesized that the inhibitory effect of acid rain on germination of seeds and emergence of seedling varies between species and the degree of acidity.A solution of 1 N H2SO4 and 1 N HNO 3 in the ratio of 10–1 was prepared and diluted to four pH levels,and seeds were supplied with solutions of these pH values and distilled water as control and tested for germination in a controlled growth chamber.The results revealed that simulated acid rain of pH 2.5 adversely affected the germination capacity of F.hodginisi and P.zhennan;while all acid solutions significantly increased germination of P.Massoniana;but had no effect on germination of C.Lanceolata seeds.Strong acid solution(pH of 2.5)adversely affected elongation of radicle and hypocotyl as well as fresh and dry weights of radicle and hypocotyl of tender seedlings.The result demonstrated that seedling emergence is more sensitive than seed germination to simulated acid rain,and germination of conifer species are less sensitive than broad leaved species to simulated acid rain.As a whole,acid rain of pH of 3.5 is the threshold level and acid rain below this value will have a detrimental effect on seed germination and seedling emergence.

Effects of compost age on the release of nutrients

Composted organic materials are applied to help restore disturbed soils,speed revegetation,and control erosion;these changes are generally beneficial for stormwater quality.Ensuring that nutrient release from compost is adequate for plant needs without degrading stormwater quality is important since composts release nitrogen at variable rates(1–3%of total N/yr)and the leaching process can extend for many years.The aim of this work was to understand the effect of compost age on the extent and rates of nitrogen release by conducting detailed rainfall simulation studies of one compost type at three different ages.Models describing temporal changes in nitrogen release to runoff during a single storm and across multiple storms were developed and applied to the runoff data.Nitrogen content(%)and bulk density of compost increased with the increase in compost age and total nitrogen release decreased with increasing compost age.The three rain simulations(storms)performed on each of the three compost ages show that nitrogen release declined each day of the repeated daily storms.A first-order kinetic model was used to estimate the amount of nitrogen remaining on compost after several storms.