Terrain-modulated deposition of atmospheric lead in the soils of alpine forest, central China

Alpine ecosystem has a potential to intercept the transport of atmospheric metals, while the regulation mechanisms with variations in altitude and slope direction remain unclear. In this study, the soil and moss samples on the northern and southern slopes of Shennongjia Mountain were collected with altitude to quantitatively identify the sources of lead (Pb) and to decipher the regulation mechanisms of altitude and slope on the Pb distribution. The results showed that the concentrations of Pb decreased evidently with soil depth, and in the O (organic soils) and A (surface mineral soils) horizons they increased with altitude. The Pb isotopes and moss biomonitoring revealed that Pb was mainly from atmospheric deposition, and the sources included fossil fuel combustion, ore mining and smelting. Based on a binary mixing model of Pb isotopes, the percentage of atmospheric Pb in the O and A horizons and mosses averaged 58.8%, 43.7% and 71.0%, respectively. Atmospheric wet deposition strikingly controlled the distribution of soil Pb along the altitude. Canopy filtering and leaching also impacted the accumulation of Pb in the forest floor. The significant difference in the atmospheric Pb accumulation in the soils between the two slopes was not observed as expected, since atmospheric dry deposition from northwestern China contributed to the Pb accumulation on the northern slope according to the Pb isotopic ratios and air mass trajectories. The results of this study indicate that altitude determines the distribution pattern of atmospheric Pb, while slope direction screens the source region of Pb in alpine ecosystems. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study collected soil and moss samples from different slopes and altitudes in Shennongjia Mountain to identify the sources of lead and the regulation mechanisms of altitude and slope on its distribution. The results showed that atmospheric deposition was the main source of lead, and altitude determined the distribution pattern of atmospheric lead.