ECLAIRE: Effects of Climate Change on Air Pollution Impacts and Response Strategies for European Ecosystems. Project final report

The central goal of ECLAIRE is to assess how climate change will alter the extent to which air pollutants threaten terrestrial ecosystems. Particular attention has been given to nitrogen compounds, especially nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia (NH3), as well as Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) in relation to tropospheric ozone (O3) formation, including their interactions with aerosol components. ECLAIRE has combined a broad program of field and laboratory experimentation and modelling of pollution fluxes and ecosystem impacts, advancing both mechanistic understanding and providing support to European policy makers. The central finding of ECLAIRE is that future climate change is expected to worsen the threat of air pollutants on Europe’s ecosystems. Firstly, climate warming is expected to increase the emissions of many trace gases, such as agricultural NH3, the soil component of NOx emissions and key BVOCs. Experimental data and numerical models show how these effects will tend to increase atmospheric N deposition in future. By contrast, the net effect on tropospheric O3 is less clear. This is because parallel increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations will offset the temperature-driven increase for some BVOCs, such as isoprene. By contrast, there is currently insufficient evidence to be confident that CO2 will offset anticipated climate increases in monoterpene emissions. Secondly, climate warming is found to be likely to increase the vulnerability of ecosystems towards air pollutant exposure or atmospheric deposition. Such effects may occur as a consequence of combined perturbation, as well as through specific interactions, such as between drought, O3, N and aerosol exposure. These combined effects of climate change are expected to offset part of the benefit of current emissions control policies. Unless decisive mitigation actions are taken, it is anticipated that ongoing climate warming will increase agricultural and other biogenic emissions, posing a challenge for national emissions ceilings and air quality objectives related to nitrogen and ozone pollution. The O3 effects will be further worsened if progress is not made to curb increases in methane (CH4) emissions in the northern hemisphere. Other key findings of ECLAIRE are that: 1) N deposition and O3 have adverse synergistic effects. Exposure to ambient O3 concentrations was shown to reduce the Nitrogen Use Efficiency of plants, both decreasing agricultural production and posing an increased risk of other forms of nitrogen pollution, such as nitrate leaching (NO3-) and the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O); 2) within-canopy dynamics for volatile aerosol can increase dry deposition and shorten atmospheric lifetimes; 3) ambient aerosol levels reduce the ability of plants to conserve water under drought conditions; 4) low-resolution mapping studies tend to underestimate the extent of local critical loads exceedance; 5) new dose-response functions can be used to improve the assessment of costs, including estimation of the value of damage due to air pollution effects on ecosystems, 6) scenarios can be constructed that combine technical mitigation measures with dietary change options (reducing livestock products in food down to recommended levels for health criteria), with the balance between the two strategies being a matter for future societal discussion. ECLAIRE has supported the revision process for the National Emissions Ceilings Directive and will continue to deliver scientific underpinning into the future for the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution

ECLAIRE third periodic report

The ÉCLAIRE project (Effects of Climate Change on Air Pollution Impacts and Response Strategies for European Ecosystems) is a four year (2011-2015) project funded by the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)

Dépôts atmosphériques particulaires sur les écosystèmes forestiers de la moitié Nord de la France : influence sur les cycles biogéochimiques

Quantifying the little-known inputs of atmospheric particulate deposition (APD) is critically important for a sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Indeed, harvesting and subsequent nutrient losses are going to increase so as to meet the demand in renewable energy, including fuel-wood. This work aims at filling this gap by (i) describing the deposition rate, mineralogical and chemical compositions of APD and (ii) evaluating the influence of APD nutrient inputs on forest biogeochemical cycles. To do so, 4 beech stands in North French forests were equipped for a 4-week sampling. After a metrological development, samplers out of and below canopy were used for a 2-year sampling, as well as methods to separate APD from atmospheric dissolved deposition. These methods were conceived to separate the organic and mineral fractions of APD according to the conceptual model designed in this work. My results validated this model and indicated (i) a quite constant deposition rate of 19±3 kg.ha-1.year-1 of hardly soluble minerals over the North of France, made of various minerals suggesting heterogeneous sources of particles, (ii) nutrient inputs inferior to those of atmospheric dissolved deposition and soil weathering, but improving ecosystem fertility, (iii) an interception effect of the canopy, and (iv) the dissolution of mineral particles in the atmosphere which enriched atmospheric dissolved deposition in nutrients. Extending and optimizing the sampling would allow confirming and clarifying these results, especially concerning high atmospheric load periods and APD below canopyQuantifier la totalité des apports atmosphériques, notamment particulaires, est nécessaire pour mieux comprendre les cycles biogéochimiques en vue d'une gestion durable des écosystèmes forestiers. En effet, l'intensification des récoltes de bois-énergie induit une pression nutritive supplémentaire sur les forêts. Le but de ce travail est de combler les lacunes concernant le dépôt atmosphérique particulaire (taux de dépôt, composition minéralogique et chimique), ainsi que d'étudier son influence sur les cycles biogéochimiques forestiers. Pour ce faire, un échantillonnage de 2 ans a été mis en place dans 4 hêtraies de la moitié Nord de la France. Un développement métrologique a été nécessaire pour concevoir les capteurs hors et sous canopée et pour séparer les particules de la phase dissoute puis compartimenter le dépôt particulaire en fonction du modèle conceptuel organo-minéral établi dans cette étude. Les résultats obtenus valident ce modèle et montrent (i) un taux de dépôt annuel de 19±3 kg.ha-1.an-1 de minéraux peu solubles témoignant d'origines diverses, (ii) des flux de nutriments inférieurs à ceux des dépôts dissous et de l'altération des minéraux du sol mais qui contribuent à améliorer la fertilité des forêts, (iii) un captage supplémentaire induit par la canopée et (iv) une dissolution des particules minérales lors de leur transport atmosphérique qui enrichit les précipitations en nutriments. Un échantillonnage optimisé sur le long terme est indispensable pour confirmer et préciser les tendances observées, en particulier concernant les épisodes de très fort dépôt particulaire et le dépôt sous la canopé

Atmospheric particulate deposition on forest ecosystems in the North of France : influence on their biogeochemical cycles

Quantifier la totalité des apports atmosphériques, notamment particulaires, est nécessaire pour mieux comprendre les cycles biogéochimiques en vue d'une gestion durable des écosystèmes forestiers. En effet, l'intensification des récoltes de bois-énergie induit une pression nutritive supplémentaire sur les forêts. Le but de ce travail est de combler les lacunes concernant le dépôt atmosphérique particulaire (taux de dépôt, composition minéralogique et chimique), ainsi que d'étudier son influence sur les cycles biogéochimiques forestiers. Pour ce faire, un échantillonnage de 2 ans a été mis en place dans 4 hêtraies de la moitié Nord de la France. Un développement métrologique a été nécessaire pour concevoir les capteurs hors et sous canopée et pour séparer les particules de la phase dissoute puis compartimenter le dépôt particulaire en fonction du modèle conceptuel organo-minéral établi dans cette étude. Les résultats obtenus valident ce modèle et montrent (i) un taux de dépôt annuel de 19±3 kg.ha-1.an-1 de minéraux peu solubles témoignant d'origines diverses, (ii) des flux de nutriments inférieurs à ceux des dépôts dissous et de l'altération des minéraux du sol mais qui contribuent à améliorer la fertilité des forêts, (iii) un captage supplémentaire induit par la canopée et (iv) une dissolution des particules minérales lors de leur transport atmosphérique qui enrichit les précipitations en nutriments. Un échantillonnage optimisé sur le long terme est indispensable pour confirmer et préciser les tendances observées, en particulier concernant les épisodes de très fort dépôt particulaire et le dépôt sous la canopéeQuantifying the little-known inputs of atmospheric particulate deposition (APD) is critically important for a sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Indeed, harvesting and subsequent nutrient losses are going to increase so as to meet the demand in renewable energy, including fuel-wood. This work aims at filling this gap by (i) describing the deposition rate, mineralogical and chemical compositions of APD and (ii) evaluating the influence of APD nutrient inputs on forest biogeochemical cycles. To do so, 4 beech stands in North French forests were equipped for a 4-week sampling. After a metrological development, samplers out of and below canopy were used for a 2-year sampling, as well as methods to separate APD from atmospheric dissolved deposition. These methods were conceived to separate the organic and mineral fractions of APD according to the conceptual model designed in this work. My results validated this model and indicated (i) a quite constant deposition rate of 19±3 kg.ha-1.year-1 of hardly soluble minerals over the North of France, made of various minerals suggesting heterogeneous sources of particles, (ii) nutrient inputs inferior to those of atmospheric dissolved deposition and soil weathering, but improving ecosystem fertility, (iii) an interception effect of the canopy, and (iv) the dissolution of mineral particles in the atmosphere which enriched atmospheric dissolved deposition in nutrients. Extending and optimizing the sampling would allow confirming and clarifying these results, especially concerning high atmospheric load periods and APD below canop

Dépôts atmosphériques particulaires sur les écosystèmes forestiers de la moitié Nord de la France (influence sur les cycles biogéochimiques)

Quantifier la totalité des apports atmosphériques, notamment particulaires, est nécessaire pour mieux comprendre les cycles biogéochimiques en vue d'une gestion durable des écosystèmes forestiers. En effet, l'intensification des récoltes de bois-énergie induit une pression nutritive supplémentaire sur les forêts. Le but de ce travail est de combler les lacunes concernant le dépôt atmosphérique particulaire (taux de dépôt, composition minéralogique et chimique), ainsi que d'étudier son influence sur les cycles biogéochimiques forestiers. Pour ce faire, un échantillonnage de 2 ans a été mis en place dans 4 hêtraies de la moitié Nord de la France. Un développement métrologique a été nécessaire pour concevoir les capteurs hors et sous canopée et pour séparer les particules de la phase dissoute puis compartimenter le dépôt particulaire en fonction du modèle conceptuel organo-minéral établi dans cette étude. Les résultats obtenus valident ce modèle et montrent (i) un taux de dépôt annuel de 19+-3 kg.ha-1.an-1 de minéraux peu solubles témoignant d'origines diverses, (ii) des flux de nutriments inférieurs à ceux des dépôts dissous et de l'altération des minéraux du sol mais qui contribuent à améliorer la fertilité des forêts, (iii) un captage supplémentaire induit par la canopée et (iv) une dissolution des particules minérales lors de leur transport atmosphérique qui enrichit les précipitations en nutriments. Un échantillonnage optimisé sur le long terme est indispensable pour confirmer et préciser les tendances observées, en particulier concernant les épisodes de très fort dépôt particulaire et le dépôt sous la canopéeQuantifying the little-known inputs of atmospheric particulate deposition (APD) is critically important for a sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Indeed, harvesting and subsequent nutrient losses are going to increase so as to meet the demand in renewable energy, including fuel-wood. This work aims at filling this gap by (i) describing the deposition rate, mineralogical and chemical compositions of APD and (ii) evaluating the influence of APD nutrient inputs on forest biogeochemical cycles. To do so, 4 beech stands in North French forests were equipped for a 4-week sampling. After a metrological development, samplers out of and below canopy were used for a 2-year sampling, as well as methods to separate APD from atmospheric dissolved deposition. These methods were conceived to separate the organic and mineral fractions of APD according to the conceptual model designed in this work. My results validated this model and indicated (i) a quite constant deposition rate of 19+-3 kg.ha-1.year-1 of hardly soluble minerals over the North of France, made of various minerals suggesting heterogeneous sources of particles, (ii) nutrient inputs inferior to those of atmospheric dissolved deposition and soil weathering, but improving ecosystem fertility, (iii) an interception effect of the canopy, and (iv) the dissolution of mineral particles in the atmosphere which enriched atmospheric dissolved deposition in nutrients. Extending and optimizing the sampling would allow confirming and clarifying these results, especially concerning high atmospheric load periods and APD below canopyMETZ-SCD (574632105) / SudocNANCY1-Bib. numérique (543959902) / SudocNANCY2-Bibliotheque electronique (543959901) / SudocNANCY-INPL-Bib. électronique (545479901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Complementary methods to distinguish organic and mineral matter in atmospheric particulate deposition and their respective nutrient inputs to temperate forest ecosystems

International audienceSampling atmospheric particulate deposition (APD) in forest ecosystems highlights the need for methods to measure and analyze its organic and mineral repartition. We validated an organo-mineral repartition model of APD composition in open fields and below canopy with a mineral fraction, named mineral dust deposition (MOD), and particulate organic matter (POM). MDD is subdivided into soluble (S-MDD) and hardly soluble (H-MDD) fractions. To (i) monitor APD and its nutrient fluxes in forest ecosystems in the north of France and (ii) quantify the relative contribution of POM and MDD to APD, we adapted sampling materials and preparation methods that were developed for regions close to mineral dust sources. We have also compared two protocols. The "APD" protocol led to quick results for APD rates and POM contents. The "H-MDD" protocol is a treatment for soil samples that uses hydrogen peroxide, which solubilized both POM and S-MDD, and allowed detailed analyses of H-MDD. Both protocols induced a mass loss that was a maximum for the "H-MDD" protocol (31 +/- 3%). The contribution of POM in APD in open fields (49 +/- 10%) was lower than below the canopy (at least 66 +/- 6%). H-MDD accounted for approximately 80% of the MDD mass and contained the largest portion of low-solubility elements (Si, Al and Fe). The fractions S-MDD and POM contained the largest portion of Ca and P (more than 70%). The two protocols were complementary and may be used successively to accurately describe APD

Métaux, pollution de l’air et santé : Les mousses, des alliées originales en épidémiologie

National audienceWhile evidence has accumulated about the links between long-term exposure to air pollution and health, little is known about the health effects of airborne metals. In France, the law makes it mandatory to monitor atmospheric concentrations and deposition of some airborne metals, through measurements or modelling. But the available data are either too scarce or irregular, making them difficult to use in large-scale epidemiology: using mosses in the wild offers a welcome alternative. Mosses belong to the few vegetal organisms able to accumulate airborne metals. As such, they have been used for decades in air quality survey networks in Europe. They provide data to assess population exposure to airborne metals and may complement classical research programmes on air pollution epidemiology. As an example, we estimated associations between exposure to airborne metals of anthropogenic origin and increased mortality in France

Aeolian dust deposition rates in Northern French forests and inputs to their biogeochemical cycles

International audienceThis study describes the Aeolian dust deposition (ADD) in 4 sites of Northern France. Between December 2009 and March 2012, we sampled (i) Aeolian dust every four weeks, and (ii) 6 episodes of forecasted high atmospheric dust load mainly from the Saharan desert, the largest source of Aeolian dust in the world. These samples were treated with oxygen peroxide to remove organic matter so as to only compare the mineral fraction of the samples in the 4 sampling sites and to analyze their mineralogy. The solid samples contained the hardly soluble part of Aeolian dust (H-ADD). Its deposition was of 1.9 +/- 0.3 g m(-2) year(-1) with a seasonal pattern of high deposition from spring to early autumn and a low deposition in winter. H-ADD deposition during the forecasted episodes of high atmospheric load did not systematically exceed the deposition rate during the rest of the sampling period. This indicates that such episodes little contributed to the annual H-ADD rate. The mineralogy revealed a heterogeneous set of minerals dominated by silicates with a common basis of major types (quartz, feldspars, mica, chlorite, kaolinite and interlayered clay minerals in every sample) with randomly trace minerals (Fe-oxides, sulfates, amphibole, talc, gibbsite and carbonates). The chemistry of H-ADD led to a dominant input of Si (up to 4.4 kg ha(-1) year(-1)), while the nutrients inputs of Ca, K, Mg and P from ADD and the atmospheric organics (APD) in openfield were together of 1.5 +/- 0.5 kg ha(-1) year(-1) with a high contribution of soluble minerals and organic matter of ca. 40% for Mg and K, and of ca. 80% for Ca and P. Nutrient inputs from APD are especially an interesting source of P for forests developed on acidic soils

Relationship Between Atmospheric Dissolved Deposition and Mineral Dust Deposition in French Forests

International audienceCalcium dissolved deposition shows an unusual spatial structure in France, probably due to the contribution of southern air masses from Mediterranean Sea and Saharan desert. These masses are often loaded with terrigenous particles that contain carbonates. However, no precise relationship has been quantified between dissolved Ca and mineral dust deposition (MDD). The database of the French network RENECOFOR, gathering atmospheric deposition <0.45 mu m in 27 sites near forests during 18 years, was used to determine the non-sea-salt atmospheric deposition over France. This study (1) explores the relationship between dissolved components to decipher their origin in atmospheric deposition nearby forests and (2) tests the use of dissolved Ca and Mg as proxies for MDD. In the RENECOFOR database, non-sea-salt Ca (nssCa) preferentially deposited between May and August. MDD observed in RENECOFOR was synchronic with high nssCa deposition, particularly in June 2008, when air mass highly loaded with Saharan dust covered France. The dissolution of this mineral dust likely contributed to the nssCa deposition of this period and suggested a relationship between the depositions of nssCa and MDD. Then, MDD was specifically sampled with dissolved deposition in four sampling sites. Encouraging relationships were found between MDD and the depositions of nssMg and nssCa, suggesting that the latter could be used as a proxy for MDD in regions where it is not monitored, and in a retrospective approach in order to calculate nutrient fluxes