Uptake of Semi-volatile Organic Compounds by Forests

Abstract

Forests have been known to act as a filter for semi-volatile organic compounds (SOCs). In this study, two methods estimating SOCs fluxes to forest canopies and three processes determining the uptake of SOCs by forests were introduced. An indirect method using bulk samplers is appropriate to estimate long-term fluxes, while a direct method using a vertical gradient of SOCs and the modified Bowen ratio (MBR) method can be used for the estimation of short-term fluxes. The uptake of compounds with intermediate KOA values occurs mainly in the form of kinetically limited gaseous deposition. In addition, a case study carried out in a Canadian mixed deciduous forest was introduced. Vertical profiles and gas/particle partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) indicated that intermediate PAHs (such as phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene) were subject to net uptake by the forest canopy in early spring. Based on these results, further studies and applications to Korean forests were proposed.clos