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Design and Performance of Branch Chambers Suitable for Long‐Term Ozone Fumigation of Foliage in Large Trees
Author(s) -
Teskey R. O.,
Dougherty P. M.,
Wiselogel A. E.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1991.00472425002000030015x
Subject(s) - fumigation , ozone , horticulture , phenology , botany , environmental science , photosynthesis , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry
Fumigation chambers for exposing branches of mature trees to ozone (O 3 ) were developed and used in a 2‐yr field study. The performance compared very favorably with that of open‐top chambers. The branch chambers were cylindrical, with dimensions of 1.5 by 0.5 m. To examine the effects that the chamber alone might have on branch or foliage physiology and phenology, six chambers were placed on the branches of trees that had no additional treatments (i.e., no charcoal filtration or O 3 amendments). These chambers produced no significant effects on the growth of the branches or foliage within them, as compared with adjacent, nonchambered branches. Hourly net photosynthetic rates were also very similar. The air in the chambers was exchanged 10 times per minute, which resulted in nearly identical air temperatures, relative humidities, and CO 2 concentrations inside and outside the chambers. Only light levels were significantly lower within the chambers, which was due primarily to the light transmission properties of the PVC plastic covering the chambers. This approach allows long‐term fumigations to be made on mature tissue of large trees, providing an alternative to the use of seedlings in studies of the effects of O 3 or other gases on forest species.