Variations in sulphur and nitrogen foliar concentration of deciduous and conifers vegetation in Slovakia

Abstract

The foliage contents of Stotal and Ntotal were determined in 405 Permanent monitoring plots in four National Parks and sixteen Landscape Protection Areas and were compared with 1483 Permanent monitoring plots on Slovakia. The foliage content of S ranged from 0.72 to 6.77 g kg-1 in hardwoods and from 0.98 to 4.3 g kg-1 in softwoods. A critical increase was determined in one National Park and in four Landscape Protection Areas. The foliage content of N ranged from 9.7 to 48.7 g kg-1 in softwoods, and from 7.8 to 51.4 g kg -1 in hardwoods. An insufficient level of N was determined in one Landscape Protection Area and a critical increase in four Landscape Protection Areas. The sulphur to nitrogen ratio ranged from 0.08 to 0.176 in softwoods, and from 0.078 to 0.253 in hardwoods. The foliage surface on hitherto explored four National Parks and sixteen Landscape Protection Areas in network 4 × 4 km was covered by all categories of rigid fall-out particles. Fly-ash from coal combustion were observed each of National Parks and Landscape Protection Areas by scanning electron microscopy. Mycelia and spore, mineral matters, sand and soil particles were present on all National Parks and Landscape Protection Areas. Particles derived from aluminium production were observed at three Landscape Protection Areas. Particles derived from cement production and from lime works were observed at two National Parks and six Landscape Protection Areas. Particles derived from ferrous metals industry were observed at each of National Parks and Landscape Protection Areas and particles typical for other technologies were present in three of National Parks and twelve Landscape Protection Areas.