Chemical Composition of Air, Soil and Vegetation in Forests of the Silesian Beskid Mountains, Poland

For the first time concentrations of trace nitrogenous (N) air pollutants, gaseous nitric acid (HNO₃), nitrous acid (HNO₂), ammonia (NH₃), and fine particulate nitrate (NO₃) and ammonium (NH₄), were measured in the montane forests of southern Poland. Determinations were performed in two forest locations of the Silesian Beskid Mountains in the western range of the Carpathian Mountains, and in an industrial/urban location in Katowice, Poland. The measurements performed in summer 1997 with honeycomb denuder/filter pack systems showed elevated concentrations of the studied pollutants. These findings agree with the low carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios and the results of 15N analyses of soil and moss samples. High concentrations of N air pollutants help to explain previously determined high levels of NO₃ and NH₄ deposition to Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) canopies in these mountains. Ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone (O₃) were elevated and potentially phytotoxic. Deficiencies of phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) in Norway spruce foliage were found while concentrations of other nutrients were normal.