Aerosol deposition on plant leaves

Multi-year Assessment of Airborne Metals in Fallon, Nevada, Using Leaf-surface Chemistry

“…The urban forest of Fallon contains many kinds of trees, and elm (Ulmus), mulberry (Morus), cottonwood (Populus), and ash (Fraxinus) were the most common tree types sampled. Accumulation of aerosols onto leaves can be affected by leaf characteristics such as roughness, pubescence, moisture, and stickiness (Wedding et al, 1977), but these characteristics of leaves do not vary appreciably across the tree species sampled in this study.…”

Removal of atmospheric particles by leaves and twigs of urban trees: Some preliminary observations and assessment of research needs

“…In an Ohio study, Dochinger (1972) examined dustfall and suspended particulate matter in three areas; treeless, deciduous canopy, and conifer canopy, and concluded that trees have the capacity to reduce particulate pollutants in the atmosphere. Wedding et al (1975) found, under controlled wind tunnel conditions, that particulate deposition on rough pubescent sunflower leaves was 10 times greater than on smooth, waxy tulip poplar leaves. They concluded that particulate retention could be quantitatively determined for plants existing in an environment of known aerosol concentration.…”

“…Lead particles observed on the bark of pine and elm trees ranged from 3 to 13 /zm in size (Heichel and Hankin 1972). Wedding et al (1975) concluded that deposition rate per unit leaf area for assemblages of leaves was essentially identical to single leaves, that is, the rate was linearly related to the total leaf area.…”

Canopy, leaf surface structure and tree phenology: Arboreal factors influencing aerosol deposition in forests

“…Laboratory experiments determined that the presence of trichomes has an effect on the deposition of fine particles on leaf surfaces (Little, 1977;Wedding et al, 1977;Beckett et al, 2000b). Wedding et al (1977) and Little (1977) showed that pubescent leaves captured more aerosols than smooth leaves.…”

“…Wedding et al (1977) and Little (1977) showed that pubescent leaves captured more aerosols than smooth leaves. Beckett et al (2000b) also showed that hairy leaves enhanced the particle capture efficiency in NaCl exposure experiments.…”