“…The estimation ability is only qualitative, as many different poorly quantified processes occur in tandem and affect VOC concentrations in the tree. These processes include VOC uptake by roots and their transfer into the transpiration stream (6,7), upward transport in the xylem (8,9), diffusion both into the tree stem and out to the atmosphere (10)(11)(12), sorption onto the woody tissues of the tree (1,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17), and compound transformations inside the tree (3,18,19). Basic understanding of these mechanisms and their interactions in the subsurface-tree-atmosphere continuum, along with obtaining good estimates for the dominant parameters, is essential for the goal of quantifying the relationship between VOC concentrations in the tree and in the subsurface.…”