BER 17 (3–4), 2012

ISSN 1239-6095 (print), ISSN 1797-2469 (online)
© Boreal Environment Research 2012

Contents of Volume 17 no. 3–4

Saarnio, K., Niemi, J. V., Saarikoski, S., Aurela, M., Timonen, H., Teinilä, K., Myllynen, M., Frey, A., Lamberg, H., Jokiniemi, J. & Hillamo, R. 2012: Using monosaccharide anhydrides to estimate the impact of wood combustion on fine particles in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 163–183.
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Biasi, C., Pitkämäki, A. S., Tavi, N. M., Koponen, H. T. & Martikainen, P. J. 2012: An isotope approach based on ¹³C pulse-chase labelling vs. the root trenching method to separate heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration in cultivated peatlands. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 184–192.
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Reinap, A., Wiman, B. L. B., Svenningsson, B. & Gunnarsson, S. 2012: Forest-edge effects on sea-salt aerosol deposition: a wind-tunnel study using living oak leaves. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 193–209.
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Hartikainen, E. S., Lankinen, P., Rajasärkkä, J., Koponen, H., Virta, M., Hatakka, A. & Kähkönen, M. A. 2012: Impact of copper and zinc on the growth of saprotrophic fungi and the production of extracellular enzymes. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 210–218.
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Chepinoga, V. V., Zverev, V. E., Zvereva, E. L. & Kozlov, M. V. 2012: Vascular plants on the islands and peninsulas of Maloe More (Lake Baikal): patterns of diversity and species turnover. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 219–236.
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Thouvenot-Korppoo, M., Lukkari, K., Järvelä, J., Leivuori, M., Karvonen, T. & Stipa, T. 2012: Phosphorus release and sediment geochemistry in a low-salinity water bay of the Gulf of Finland. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 237–251.
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Dumnicka, E. & Galas, J. 2012: Temporal changes in oligochaete fauna of three alpine ponds in the Tatra Mountains (Poland). Boreal Env. Res. 17: 252–262.
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Silvan, N., Silvan, K., Väisänen, S., Soukka, R. & Laine, J. 2012: Excavation-drier method of energy-peat extraction reduces long-term climatic impact. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 263–276.
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Beaulne, J.-S., Lucotte, M., Paquet, S. & Canuel, R. 2012: Modeling mercury concentrations in northern pikes and walleyes from frequently fished lakes of Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Quebec, Canada): a GIS approach. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 277–290.
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Ahlbeck, I. & Holliland, P. B. 2012: Rearing environment affects important life skills in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). Boreal Env. Res. 17: 291–304.
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Estlander, S., Horppila, J., Olin, M., Vinni, M., Lehtonen, H., Rask, M. & Nurminen, L. 2012: Troubled by the humics — effects of water colour and interspecific competition on the feeding efficiency of planktivorous perch. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 305–312.
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Kangas, K., Vuori, K.-M., Määttä-Juntunen, H. & Siikamäki, P. 2012: Impacts of ski resorts on water quality of boreal lakes: a case study in northern Finland. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 313–325.
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The spatiotemporal variation of ambient particles under the influence of biomass burning emissions was studied in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area (HMA) in selected periods during 2005–2009. Monosaccharide anhydrides (MAs; levoglucosan, mannosan and galactosan), commonly known biomass burning tracers, were used to estimate the wood combustion contribution to local particulate matter (PM) concentration levels at three urban background sites close to the city centre, and at three suburban sites influenced by local small-scale wood combustion. In the cold season (October–March), the mean MAs concentrations were 115–225 ng m^–3 and 83–98 ng m^–3 at the suburban and urban sites, respectively. In the warm season, the mean MAs concentrations were low (19–78 ng m^–3), excluding open land fire smoke episodes (222–378 ng m^–3). Regionally distributed wood combustion particles raised the levels over the whole HMA while particles from local wood combustion sources raised the level at suburban sites only. The estimated average contribution of wood combustion to fine particles (PM_2.5) ranged from 18% to 29% at the urban sites and from 31% to 66% at the suburban sites in the cold season. The PM measurements from ambient air and combustion experiments showed that the proportions of the three MAs can be utilised to separate the wildfire particles from residential wood combustion particles.

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We tested an isotope method based on ¹³C pulse-chase labelling for determining the fractional contribution of soil microbial respiration to overall soil respiration in an organic soil (cutaway peatland, eastern Finland), cultivated with the bioenergy crop, reed canary grass. The plants were exposed to ¹³CO₂ for five hours and the label was thereafter determined in CO₂ derived from the soil–root system. A two-pool isotope mixing model was used to separate sources of respiration. The isotopic approach showed that a minimum of 50% of the total CO₂ originated from soil-microbial respiration. Even though the method uses undisturbed soil–plant systems, it has limitations concerning the experimental determination of the true isotopic signal of all components contributing to autotrophic respiration. A trenching experiment which was comparatively conducted resulted in a 71% fractional contribution of soil-microbial respiration. This value was likely overestimated. Further studies are needed to evaluate critically the output from these two partitioning approaches.

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Landscape patchiness creates aerodynamic transition zones that affect the exchange of nutrients and pollutants between the atmosphere and vegetation. Using an artificially-generated NaCl aerosol (mass-versus-particle-size distribution with aerodynamic mean particle diameter 1.6 µm; geometric standard deviation 1.9), we investigated the forest-edge effect on aerosol deposition within a model oak (Quercus robur) canopy in a wind tunnel with an emulated beach-to-forest transition. The deposition rate around the forest edge was 2–3 times higher than to the beach and 50%–60% higher than to the interior of the forest. The deposition velocity at the edge was 0.06 cm s^–1, which is 2–3 times higher than the beach-deposition velocity. Our results can help improve estimates of aerosol-borne inputs of nutrients or pollutants to forested landscapes that experience shifts in meteorological regimes due to changes in climate and forestry practices, in particular with respect to deciduous species in coastal environments.

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To assess the impacts of Cu and Zn on fungi, we tested the growth of 18 taxonomically different saprotrophic (basidiomycete, ascomycete and zygomycete) fungi and their production of extracellular oxidative enzymes on Cu- (0, 100, 200, 400 mg kg^–1) or Zn- (0, 100, 200, 400 mg kg^–1) containing ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) agar plates. Coniothyrium sp. was the most tolerant ascomycete and Sordaria sp. the most sensitive to both Zn and Cu. The growth of 8 basidiomyceteous fungi was reduced by 22%–100% on ABTS plates with 200 mg Cu kg^–1. Bioluminescent Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast tests showed that Cu was 7-fold more toxic than Zn. Dose responses with respect to enzyme production varied among ascomycetous, zygomycetous and basidiomycetous fungi. Cu was more toxic than Zn for all tested fungi with all methods indicating that microbial functioning of soil is more vulnerable to Cu than Zn in the soil.

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Unique biota of the Lake Baikal region face many threats due to increasing human activities. We documented spatial patterns in diversity of vascular plants, explored effects of natural (bird colonies) and human-induced (tourism) disturbances on species richness of semi-desert and steppe-desert plant communities of 12 islands and 4 peninsulas, and estimated species turnover within a 30-year period. Floras of surveyed islands/peninsulas contained 9 to 143 species; species–area relationship followed the power law model. Species richness did not change between 1979 and 2009, but the proportion of ruderal species doubled during this period. Mean relative turnover rate was 1.17% of species per year. The islands with large bird colonies had lower species richness than the islands with small or no colonies. Imposing restrictions on tourist visitation to at least three islands (Zamogoj, Khubyn and Khunuk) is a feasible way to conserve substantial part of regional biodiversity.

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Sequestration of phosphorus in sediments is critical in controlling the availability of phosphate for algal growth in shallow bays of the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea). In the organic-rich, low-salinity-water bay studied, the release of phosphorus from the sediments was sensitive to bioirrigation and oxygen conditions in the water. This was explained by the importance of hydrated iron oxides in binding phosphorus at the sediment surface, the sensitivity of iron-bound phosphorus to redox conditions, and the presence of soluble iron and sulphate. Chemical forms of phosphorus, especially phosphorus bound by redox-sensitive hydrated iron oxides, are regulated by the amount of degradable organic matter, availability of oxygen, iron and sulphate as well as bioirrigation by benthic fauna. To improve the short-term prediction of the water quality and particularly the dynamics of algal blooms in the coastal areas of the Gulf of Finland, sediment phosphorus and especially hydrated iron oxides should be included in water quality models.

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Dumnicka, E. & Galas, J. 2012: Temporal changes in oligochaete fauna of three alpine ponds in the Tatra Mountains (Poland). Boreal Env. Res. 17: 252–262.

In our long-term (10-, 8- and 6-year) studies we assessed the richness of oligochaete species and changes in the composition of their taxocens as well as the density of the prevailing species over successive years in three ponds situated above the tree line in the Tatra Mts., Poland. In addition, abiotic parameters of the ponds were recorded. In two ponds, characterised by significant fluctuations in the water level and a slightly acidic pH, Enchytraeidae prevailed, represented by the genera Cognettia and Cernosvitoviella. In the third pond, with slightly warmer water and an almost stable water level, Naididae (Nais variabilis, Spirosperma ferox and Tubifex montanus) were the most numerous. A total of 26 oligochaete species were found. The number of species in particular ponds ranged from 13 to 15, but the number of species determined during all the years of studies was very low. The number of species found in particular years in each of the studied ponds was not stable. It varied from 3 in Czerwony Pańszczycki to 10 in Długi Gąsienicowy and Siwy Wyżni.

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Silvan, N., Silvan, K., Väisänen, S., Soukka, R. & Laine, J. 2012: Excavation-drier method of energy-peat extraction reduces long-term climatic impact. Boreal Env. Res. 17: 263–276.

Climatic impacts of energy-peat extraction are of increasing concern due to EU emissions trading requirements. A new excavation-drier peat extraction method has been developed to reduce the climatic impact and increase the efficiency of peat extraction. To quantify and compare the soil GHG fluxes of the excavation drier and the traditional milling methods, as well as the areas from which the energy peat is planned to be extracted in the future (extraction reserve area types), soil CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O fluxes were measured during 2006–2007 at three sites in Finland. Within each site, fluxes were measured from drained extraction reserve areas, extraction fields and stockpiles of both methods and additionally from the biomass driers of the excavation-drier method. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), described at a principal level in ISO Standards 14040:2006 and 14044:2006, was used to assess the long-term (100 years) climatic impact from peatland utilisation with respect to land use and energy production chains where utilisation of coal was replaced with peat. Coal was used as a reference since in many cases peat and coal can replace each other in same power plants. According to this study, the peat extraction method used was of lesser significance than the extraction reserve area type in regards to the climatic impact. However, the excavation-drier method seems to cause a slightly reduced climatic impact as compared with the prevailing milling method.

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Using readily available geospatial data and statistical analyses we constructed models to predict mercury concentrations in northern pikes (Esox lucius) and walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum) in lakes frequently used by sport fishers, urban anglers and subsistance fishers in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region (Canada). Mercury concentrations in northern pikes were predicted with 74% accuracy using three variables: lake order, fraction of the lake watershed with gentle to moderate slopes (steepness 2%–6%) and the fraction of the watershed with mature forest cover. To construct the walleye model, we divided lakes into 3 categories: (1) lakes with mines or mine tailings located less than 1 km away from the shore; (2) lakes located on the Lake Ojibway-Barlow clay plain; and (3) lakes outside the clay plain. For watersheds without mines, walleye Hg concentrations were predicted with over 77% accuracy using the fraction of wetlands in the watershed.

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Ahlbeck, I. & Holliland, P. B. 2012: Rearing environment affects important life skills in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). Boreal Env. Res. 17: 291–304.

The effect of rearing environment on the behaviour of young-of-the-year pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) bred at three different production facilities was investigated. Two groups were reared in semi-natural ponds and one group in indoor tanks. Exploratory, foraging and anti-predator behaviours were studied in aquarium experiments. There were no significant differences between pond- and tank-reared fish in reluctance to explore their new environment, but pond-reared fish spent significantly more time in macro-vegetation. Pond-reared fish were significantly faster to start foraging on live prey (Neomysis integer) that they had not encountered before. As compared with tank-reared fish, pond-reared fish were also significantly more active in their anti-predator response. Rearing environment obviously influences the development of important life skills. These differences may impact the success rate when stocking young-of-the-year pikeperch into natural waters.

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In humic lakes in addition to various density-dependent interactions, dark water may be partly causing a bottleneck in perch (Perca fluviatilis) growth. This study focuses on clarifying the role of water colour and increasing fish density on the plankton feeding efficiency of perch. Both aquarium experiments and field data were used in this study. In the experiments, perch fed clearly less in highly humic water than in clear water, but the presence of roach had no significant effect on the feeding efficiency of perch. According to the field data, water colour had a significant effect on the length at which perch shifted from feeding primary on plankton to other food sources.

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Ski resorts are important tourist attractions in boreal and alpine regions. However, land use related to development of such mass tourism may damage ecosystems. We investigated the impact of ski resorts on water quality of lakes near two popular ski resorts in Finland. Furthermore, we examined how water quality problems induced by ski resorts relate to effects of agriculture and forestry on similar lake types. Human impact significantly increased nutrient concentrations, although the differences observed between impact and control lakes were generally small. Water quality of the ski resort lakes and lakes polluted by agriculture and forestry appeared to be quite similar, with the exception of a small, humic ski-resort lake with extremely high nutrient concentrations. Two ski-resort lakes and one agricultural lake failed the total phosphorus criteria set for reaching good ecological status. Our results indicate that water protection measures should be considered more carefully in management of ski resorts.

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