Aerosol Deposition and Behavior on Leaves in Cool-temperate Deciduous Forests. Part 1: A Preliminary Study of the Effect of Fog Deposition on Behavior of Particles Deposited on the Leaf Surfaces by Microscopic Observation and Leaf-washing Technique

Abstract

To establish the method for investigating the behavior of aerosol particles deposited on the leaf surface against fog water under natural conditions, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis and wash water analysis by ion chromatography after the washing treatment were performed using leaves of white birch collected from low part of the tree crown and the top of the tree in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, northern Japan. Each of collected leaves was divided into two parts according to the treatment performed: leaf surface (adaxial side) was 1) untreated, and 2) washed with deionized water with a pipette. In untreated samples, many particles of various shapes, including soil particles and organic debris, were deposited on the surface. Particles containing S were found on the surface of samples collected from only low part of the tree crown. After the washing treatment, SEM-EDX analysis revealed that soil particles and particles containing S had been washed off with water, although some particles such as soil particles and organic debris still remained on the leaf surface. The major anion such as SO42- was detected in wash water of all samples, although the peak of S in X-ray spectra was not detected from samples collected at top of the tree. The combination of SEM-EDX analysis with wash water analysis indicated that SO42- was deposited on the leaf surface in dissolved state and/or in state of submicron particles. These results suggested that fog water could remove soil particles and particles containing S and SO42- from the leaf surfaces, but not all particles. There was no difference in sampling position in the tree crown. Our study suggested that combination with SEM-EDX analysis and wash water analysis would be effective for investigation of the behavior of particles on the leaf surface against fog water.

Keywords

• aerosol particles
• birch leaves
• sem-edx
• cleaning technique