ISSN 1239-6095 (print),   ISSN 1797-2469 (online)
© Boreal Environment Research 2011

Contents of Volume 16 Number 1

Kallasvuo, M., Lappalainen, A. & Urho, L. 2011: Coastal reed belts as fish reproduction habitats. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 1–14.
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Kaasik, M., Sofiev, M., Prank, M., Ruuskanen, T., Kukkonen, J., Hörrak, U. & Kulmala, M. 2011: Geographical origin of aerosol particles observed during the LAPBIAT measurement campaign in spring 2003 in Finnish Lapland. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 15–35.
Abstract
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Ketola, R. A., Kiuru, J. T., Kotiaho, T., Kitunen, V. & Smolander, A. 2011: Feasibility of membrane inlet mass spectrometry for on-site screening of volatile monoterpenes and monoterpene-alcohols in forest soil atmosphere. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 36–46.
Abstract
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Ekberg, A., Arneth, A. & Holst, T. 2011: Isoprene emission from Sphagnum species occupying different growth positions above the water table. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 47–59.
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Martinsson, J. & Nissling, A. 2011: Nursery area utilization by turbot (Psetta maxima) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) at Gotland, central Baltic Sea. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 60–70.
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Pärn, O. & Haapala, J. 2011: Occurrence of synoptic flaw leads of sea ice in the Gulf of Finland. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 71–78.
Abstract
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Kallasvuo, M., Lappalainen, A. & Urho, L. 2011: Coastal reed belts as fish reproduction habitats. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 1–14.

In this study, we investigated the temporal and spatial occurrence of early life stages of fish within shores covered by reeds (Phragmites australis) in two coastal areas of the northern Baltic Sea in spring and summer. Fish larvae of ten species were found, with cyprinids being the most common family comprising five species. The first occurring early life stages of fish in early May were the larvae of burbot (Lota lota) and pike (Esox lucius), which mainly utilized the previous year's old and flattened reeds, whereas larvae hatching later in June, such as some cyprinids, utilized the new reed growth. The reed belts in the inner bay areas with a low salinity, high water temperature and dense vegetation were especially productive fish reproduction habitats, since 74% of all captured larvae were found there. Therefore, according to the results of this study, reed belts particularly in the inner bay areas can be described as regionally significant key fish reproduction habitats in the northern Baltic Sea.
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Kaasik, M., Sofiev, M., Prank, M., Ruuskanen, T., Kukkonen, J., Hörrak, U. & Kulmala, M. 2011: Geographical origin of aerosol particles observed during the LAPBIAT measurement campaign in spring 2003 in Finnish Lapland. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 15–35.

A modelling analysis of observations of aerosol concentrations during the LAPBIAT measurement campaign is presented and possible sources of the aerosols and their precursors are discussed. The LAPBIAT measurement campaign at the SMEAR I station at Värriö in eastern Lapland took place from 26 April to 11 May 2003 and registered a series of particle formation events. The SILAM model was applied in adjoint (inverse) mode for back-tracing the air masses observed during several selected episodes. It was also applied in forward mode using the EMEP sulphur emission data in order to qualitatively evaluate the contribution of anthropogenic sulphur to the corresponding events. As shown by adjoint simulations, the air masses corresponding to the observed peaks of concentrations of the nucleation-size aerosol often originated from areas different from the source regions responsible for the observed aged pollution plumes. We examined the origins of air masses during three nucleation events registered during the Värriö campaign. Observations of the first nucleation event were interrupted when polluted plume from the Nikel metallurgy plant (Russia) was transported to the site, replacing the cleaner air masses with the on-going particle formation. The second (most intensive) event occurred in the air that was transported for substantial distances over the central part of Finland in prevailing dry and relatively warm conditions. Since such conditions correspond to large biogenic VOC emissions, one can expect a major contribution of these species in the observed event. During the third episode, the air masses were transported directly from the Arctic Sea, thus suggesting a significant impact of marine aerosols. Also, three episodes with elevated concentrations of accumulation and coarse range particles were found. According to adjoint simulations, urban and industrial emissions were responsible for these events.
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Ketola, R. A., Kiuru, J. T., Kotiaho, T., Kitunen, V. & Smolander, A. 2011: Feasibility of membrane inlet mass spectrometry for on-site screening of volatile monoterpenes and monoterpene-alcohols in forest soil atmosphere. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 36–46.

Volatile monoterpenes and monoterpene alcohols exist in the forest soil atmosphere and they may play an important role in controlling microbial processes related to C and N cycling in boreal forest soils. Therefore, information is needed about their actual concentrations in the soil atmosphere. Here, we developed and applied membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) with a simple sampling probe for an on-site determination of the most common monoterpenes and monoterpene alcohols in the forest soil atmosphere. The MIMS method was also compared with a chamber method for collection samples into sorbent tubes and an off-line static headspace GC-FID analysis. The sampling principles of the methods are different: the chamber method measures a bulk concentration of a 3-liter sample whereas with MIMS it was possible to measure smaller sample volumes at more localized sites. The chamber method gave higher concentrations than MIMS did, partly due to a fact that roots, cut during the installation of the chamber into the soil, could increase the concentrations of monoterpenes in the soil atmosphere and partly due to a possible interference of ambient air with MIMS measurements. The MIMS method can reliably give only the total concentrations of monoterpenes and monoterpene alcohols. On the other hand, the MIMS method is very rapid and easy to use and can provide analytical tools for direct on-site screening.
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Ekberg, A., Arneth, A. & Holst, T. 2011: Isoprene emission from Sphagnum species occupying different growth positions above the water table. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 47–59.

Isoprene emission from Sphagnum species naturally growing at different positions above the water table were measured in a subarctic peatland and at monoliths from a temperate bog. Our objectives were to investigate (1) whether emission rates were species and/or moisture dependent, and (2) whether short-term temperature history had an influence on emission capacity. We expected greater emission capacities in moist than dry growing conditions, and from species adapted to wet habitats. We also expected that higher emission capacities would be found in response to elevated temperatures. Average peak growing season isoprene emission capacities (standardized to 20 °C and PAR 1000 µmol m–2 s–1) at the subarctic site were 106 and 74 µg C m–2 h–1 from a S. balticum wet lawn and a S. balticum dry hummock/palsa, respectively. Emission capacities correlated strongly with gross primary productivity (GPP) and the average air temperature of the 48 hours prior to measurement (T48), but the effect of T48 seemed to be partly masked by the influence of GPP when moisture was not limiting. The laboratory experiments suggested that a typical hummock species, S. rubellum had higher capacity for isoprene emission than a typical lawn species S. magellanicum. Instantaneous emission rates increased with temperature, but no effect of temperature history was discernible. Sphagnum mosses are known to emit substantial amounts of isoprene, but in this study we also showed significant inter-species differences in emission capacity. The results imply that climate change induced alterations of peatland hydrology may change the total ecosystem isoprene source strength, as individual species adapt to new growth conditions or as a consequence of species succession.
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Martinsson, J. & Nissling, A. 2011: Nursery area utilization by turbot (Psetta maxima) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) at Gotland, central Baltic Sea. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 60–70.

To reveal the temporal and spatial utilization of a preferred nursery ground habitat by 0-group turbot and flounder in the Baltic Sea, sampling was conducted in six sandy bays in early–mid-July to early–mid-September 2003–2005 off the coast of Gotland (ICES SD 27 & 28-2). Settlement and peak abundance of turbot occurred from late July–early August to early September and from mid-August to early September, respectively. Settlement of flounder occurred from early–mid-July with decreasing numbers over time, except in 2005. Peak abundance of 0-group flounder occurred in late July–early August to mid-September, suggesting a considerable temporal overlap with 0-group turbot. 0-group turbot and flounder also overlapped in respect to depth with preference for 0.2 and 0.6 m over 1 m. The spatial and temporal overlap of the species was verified by a logistic regression analysis; the probability of sampling 0-group flounder when 0-group turbot was caught in a haul was 0.84 (0.80–0.87, 95% CI).
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Pärn, O. & Haapala, J. 2011: Occurrence of synoptic flaw leads of sea ice in the Gulf of Finland. Boreal Env. Res. 16: 71–78.

In spite of their importance to the marine ecosystem and winter navigation, flaw leads have not received much attention. This study presents an analysis of the flaw lead occurrence frequency in the Gulf of Finland. We used ice charts of the Estonian Meteorological and Hydrological Institute covering the years 1971–2007 and the Helsinki multi-category sea-ice model. Flaw leads are formed in the Gulf of Finland almost everywhere along the fast-ice edge when moderate or strong winds are acting, but the winds from W, NW, N and S sectors generate a rather uniform lead pattern, thus facilitating navigation in the ice. On average, flaw leads are most common in the Estonian coastal region where their occurrence is typically 10%–30%. However, during severe winters when northerly winds are more frequent flaw leads are also common in the Finnish coastal region.
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