Project Metadata Quality Assurance + Control Data Archiving

Trace Metal Dynamics in Contaminated Northern Forest Ecosystems (Processes)

Objectives being Investigated
a) Quantification and determination of the location of metal (Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) pools within forest biomass compartments;
b) Identification of the relationship between plant decomposition and losses of plant-integrated metals to soils;
c) Determination of the relationship between measures of soil available metals and plant metal concentrations; and
d) Development of a comprehensive model of ecosystem metal flux.

Study/Sampling Design
Study sites (3) were established along each of two transects following decreasing gradients of soil metal concentrations near Sudbury, Ontario, and Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. Plant biomass was estimated allometrically using dbh and density data obtained by the point-centred quarter method. Plant and soil material were collected randomly and analysed for metal contents. Open-field precipitation collectors, through-fall precipitation collectors and lysimeters (organic and mineral) were installed at each site to obtain measures of atmospheric metal inputs and outputs via leaching.

Location of Field Site(s)
Sudbury, Ontario, field sites
1. 46º 35.8´ N, 80º 49.9´ W
2. 46º 35.9´ N, 80º 37.4´ W
3. 46º 33.2´ N, 80º 15.6´ W

Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, field sites
1. 48º 17.0´ N, 78º 54.2´ W
2. 48º 18.5´ N, 78º 51.2´ W
3. 48º 32.3´ N, 78º 39.4´ W

Biota Studied

Species
A wide variety of northern forest plants (e.g., Betula papyrifera, Clintonia borealis, Abies balsamea, Populus tremuloides, Cornus Canadensis, etc.)

Metals, etc. Quantified
Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn

Biological Endpoint(s)
tissue concentrations

Physical Material(s) Studied

Medium/Media
organic soil, mineral soil, precipitation, lysimeter leachate (soil water), fine roots, bark, trunk wood, foliage and stems

Metals, etc. Quantified
Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn

Bibliographic References on-file with Secretariat: Yes

Data Available: Yes

Data Archived with MITHE-SN: No

Collaborators