Design and Performance of a Field Exposure System for Evaluation of the Ecological Effects of SO2 on Native Grassland

摘要

The report describes the design and performance of two replicate field exposure systems for evaluating the ecological effects of chronic SO2 exposure on 0.5 ha plots of native Montana grassland. The SO2 was supplied at a constant rate to each plot through a network of 2.5-cm inside diameter aluminum pipes set parallel to and approximately 0.7 m above the ground with 0.8-mm SO2 release holes at 3-m intervals. The resulting SO2 concentrations on the plots varied with micrometeorological conditions. Fumigations were essentially continuous from April through October for 5 yr on one set of four plots and for 4 yr on another set of four plots. Frequency distributions of SO2 concentrations were approximately log-normal and qualitatively similar to those from various area and point sources. The data from 5 years use of the system indicate that the fine-scale behavior of SO2 concentrations would be realistic.