DETERMINATION OF ALUMINUM, CALCIUM, AND MAGNESIUM IN FRASER FIR (ABIES FOLIAGE) FOLIAGE AND SURROUNDING SOIL IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

Abstract

& Located at high elevation sites in the Southern Appalachians, the Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) has suffered visible decline in recent years. This study involved the measurement of concentration levels of aluminum, calcium, and magnesium by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry to determine the contribution of acidic deposition to this decline. Calcium and magnesium are nutrients, and hence one would anticipate relatively high foliar concentrations of these elements in the absence of pollution. Conversely, aluminum is toxic to the trees, and one would expect higher foliar concentrations in polluted locations. Statistical comparisons of the metal concentrations did not demonstrate a causal relationship between the location or elevation of Fraser fir stands. However, compared to previous studies, the foliar concentrations of calcium and magnesium were higher than concentrations previously reported in the 1990s, suggesting pollution controls may have reduced atmospheric deposition.