BIBLIOS

Document type
Journal articles

Document subtype
Full paper

Title
Using nitrogen concentration and isotopic composition in lichens to spatially assess the relative contribution of atmospheric nitrogen sources in complex landscapes

Participants in the publication
P. Pinho (Author)
C. Barros (Author)
S. Augusto (Author)
M.J. Pereira (Author)
C. Máguas (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
cE3c
C. Branquinho (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
cE3c

Summary
Reactive nitrogen (Nr) is an important driver of global change, causing alterations in ecosystem biodiversity and functionality. Environmental assessments require monitoring the emission and deposition of both the amount and types of Nr. This is especially important in heterogeneous landscapes, as different land-cover types emit particular forms of Nr to the atmosphere, which can impact ecosystems distinctively. Such assessments require high spatial resolution maps that also integrate temporal variations, and can only be feasibly achieved by using ecological indicators. Our aim was to rank land-cover types according to the amount and form of emitted atmospheric Nr in a complex landscape with multiple sources of N. To do so, we measured and mapped nitrogen concentration and isotopic composition in lichen thalli, which we then related to land-cover data. Results suggested that, at the landscape scale, intensive agriculture and urban areas were the most important sources of Nr to the atmosphere. Additionally, the ocean greatly influences Nr in land, by providing air with low Nr concentration and a unique isotopic composition. These results have important consequences for managing air pollution at the regional level, as they provide critical information for modeling Nr emission and deposition across regional as well as continental scales.


Where published
Environmental Pollution

Publication Identifiers
ISSN - 0269-7491

Publisher
Elsevier BV



Document Identifiers
URL - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.102
DOI - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.102

Rankings
Web Of Science Q1 (2017) - 4.358 - ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES - SCIE
SCOPUS Q1 (2017) - 1.615 - Pollution
SCIMAGO Q1 (2017) - 1.615 - Pollution

Keywords
Reactive nitrogen Eutrophication Isoscapes Multiple pollution sources