Interception and Retention of a Simulated Fallout by Agricultural Plants

Stable (206Pb, 207Pb, 208Pb) and radioactive (210Pb) lead isotopes in 1year of growth of Sphagnum moss from four ombrotrophic bogs in southern Germany: Geochemical significance and environmental implications

“…Experimental studies using 86 Rb-labelled particles showed that aerosol retention by foliage varies with particle size and between plant species (Witherspoon and Taylor, 1970): on average, more than 60% of the fallout was removed in less than 2 days by wind alone and with rain events more than 95% of the fallout had been removed after only 20 days (Witherspoon and Taylor, 1970). Retention of particles by mosses was found to exceed that by lichens by 2-3 times, probably due to a combination of more efficient retention by the moss, greater plant density, and higher leaf surface area (Taylor and Witherspoon, 1972).…”

A model to predict concentration enrichment of contaminants on soil adhering to plants and skin

“…The model expressed as equation (9) did perform well for sandy soils adhering to other surfaces after a single exposure (Sheppard and Evenden, 1994). Ertel et al (1989), Foster et al (1985a), Lassey (1982) and Witherspoon and Taylor (1970) present convincing data that loss rate is not a simple first order process. Our model is multiple first order, and thus conforms in some respects to their conclusions.…”

“…Witherspoon and Taylor (1970) and Foster et al (1985a) differentiated the initial process of particle interception from the subsequent process of particle erosion, although both were considered to be dependent on particle size. In order to apply a simple first order model, we considered their data representative of one process.…”

“…Thus, most of the concentration enrichment because of particle size effects occurs before deposition onto the leaf surfaces. Several of the studies with larger particles used artificially generated particles such as ground silica, and these are not representative of soil particles (e.g., Witherspoon and Taylor, 1970). Miller and Hoffman (1983) and Simmonds and Linsley (1982) provide thorough reviews and summaries of the earlier work on particles adhering to plants.…”

Terrestrial perturbation experiments for environmental assessment

“…Simulated fallout particles consisting of 44-to 88-~m particles were uniformly spread by a modified and motorized fertilizer spreader that ran on raised tracks (Dahlman andothers 1969, Witherspoon andTaylor 1970). Particles smaller than 5-gm D a behave as aerosols and, therefore, travel farther from the point of release, whether a stack or a field dispenser.…”