Use of Passive Samplers, Sentinel Plants and Native Bioindicators for Evaluating Ozone Effects on Forests in the Carpathian Mountains

摘要

Due to changing economy of the former communist countries of Central Europe, levels of industrial pollutants have been declining with a simultaneous increase of the photochemical pollution importance, e.g., ozone. Ozone is a well known phytotoxic agent causing damage to vergetation in parts of North America and Europe. Since 1991 the US scientists in cooperation with their European colleagues have investigated effects of ozone on forest ecosystems in the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Ozone concentrations have been monitored on a network of ozone passive samplers Ogawa & Co., USA Inc.) calibrated against ozone UV absorption monitors (Thermo Environmental Model 49). Ozone phytotoxicity have been evaluated with ozone-sensitive (Bel-W3) and ozone-tolerant (Bel-B) tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cultivars treated and untreated with ethylenediurea (EDU). In addition, native indicators of ozone phytotoxicity have been selected and will be used in future monitoring studies. For the new, 1997-1999 USDA sponsored study, a network of 26 site sfor monitoring ozone concentration and evaluation of ozone phytotoxic effects has been established in forests of the Carpathian Mountains in teh Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania. These activities will be coordinated with studies on forest health and biodiversity in the Carpathian Mountains.