UV-induced emissions of C2–C5 hydrocarbons from leaf litter
Leonie Derendorp A B , Rupert Holzinger A and Thomas Röckmann A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, the Netherlands.
B Corresponding author. Email: lderendorp@gmail.com
Environmental Chemistry 8(6) 602-611 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN11024
Submitted: 3 March 2011 Accepted: 23 September 2011 Published: 23 November 2011
Environmental context. Leaf litter can be found at the Earth’s surface in large quantities, and has the potential to release significant amounts of volatile compounds into the atmosphere where they influence atmospheric chemistry and local air quality. This study investigates the influence of UV radiation on the emission of C2–C5 hydrocarbons from leaf litter. Research on volatile compound emissions from leaf litter is limited, but essential for establishing their global budgets and understanding atmospheric chemistry.
Abstract. Leaf litter is available at many locations at the Earth’s surface. It has the potential to emit many different types of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, which may influence local atmospheric chemistry and air quality. In this study, emissions of several C2–C5 hydrocarbons from leaf litter were measured for different plant species and the influence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the emissions was determined. Within the ambient range of UV intensities, the emission rates increased linearly with the intensity of the UV radiation. UVB radiation (280–320 nm) was more efficient in the generation of hydrocarbons from leaf litter than UVA (320–400 nm). In the absence of oxygen, no emissions of C2–C5 hydrocarbons were observed. When leaf litter was placed in humid air, emission rates approximately tripled compared with emissions from leaf litter in dry air. Decay of the emission rates was visible on a timescale of months. A simple upscaling showed that UV-induced hydrocarbon emissions from leaf litter might have a small influence on atmospheric chemistry on the local scale, but do not contribute significantly to their global budgets.
References
[1] V. Isidorov, M. Jdanova, Volatile organic compounds from leaves litter. Chemosphere 2002, 48, 975.| Volatile organic compounds from leaves litter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XlvVelsL0%3D&md5=eaab44de8b1bad22bb049df1c6e96d4eCAS |
[2] C. M. Gray, R. K. Monson, N. Fierer, Emissions of volatile organic compounds during the decomposition of plant litter. J. Geophys. Res. 2010, 115, G03015.
| Emissions of volatile organic compounds during the decomposition of plant litter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[3] J. W. Leff, N. Fierer, Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from soil and litter samples. Soil Biol. Biochem. 2008, 40, 1629.
| Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from soil and litter samples.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXnt1eltbo%3D&md5=f3fd4a67e98dd4b037e171866002b943CAS |
[4] A. Wishkerman, S. Gebhardt, C. W. McRoberts, J. T. G. Hamilton, J. Williams, F. Keppler, Abiotic methyl bromide formation from vegetation and its strong dependence on temperature. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008, 42, 6837.
| Abiotic methyl bromide formation from vegetation and its strong dependence on temperature.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXpslOhtLk%3D&md5=ada13e73b840b6c2907c448ee9973053CAS |
[5] G. W. Schade, R.-M. Hofman, P. J. Crutzen, CO emissions from degrading plant matter (1). Measurements. Tellus B 1999, 51, 889.
[6] M. A. Tarr, W. L. Miller, R. G. Zepp, Direct carbon monoxide photoproduction from plant matter. J. Geophys. Res. 1995, 100, 11403.
| Direct carbon monoxide photoproduction from plant matter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXotlWjsr4%3D&md5=df88fbe1e51625cfab2d20c094ecd4f6CAS |
[7] I. Vigano, H. van Weelden, R. Holzinger, F. Keppler, A. McLeod, T. Röckmann, Effect of UV radiation and temperature on the emission of methane from plant biomass and structural components. Biogeosciences 2008, 5, 937.
| Effect of UV radiation and temperature on the emission of methane from plant biomass and structural components.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtVCqsLvI&md5=5a6bc523203a367c6aa359da8a4914a6CAS |
[8] F. Keppler, M. Boros, C. Frankenberg, J. Lelieveld, A. McLeod, A. M. Pirttilä, T. Röckmann, J.-P. Schnitzler, Methane formation in aerobic environments. Environ. Chem. 2009, 6, 459.
| Methane formation in aerobic environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhslGjsbw%3D&md5=1852aceff597ed6b149000275ba0b9bdCAS |
[9] A. R. McLeod, S. C. Fry, G. J. Loake, D. J. Messenger, D. S. Reay, K. A. Smith, B.-W. Yun, Ultraviolet radiation drives methane emissions from terrestrial plant pectins. New Phytol. 2008, 180, 124.
| Ultraviolet radiation drives methane emissions from terrestrial plant pectins.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXht1ait7bN&md5=fc0ca7afa0ad20e940681f0858993f20CAS |
[10] L. Derendorp, R. Holzinger, A. Wishkerman, F. Keppler, T. Röckmann, Methyl chloride and C2–C5 hydrocarbon emissions from dry leaf litter and their dependence on temperature. Atmos. Environ. 2011, 45, 3112.
| Methyl chloride and C2–C5 hydrocarbon emissions from dry leaf litter and their dependence on temperature.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXltVKqtL4%3D&md5=0920bd65eb36bd3fad863be8598d89eeCAS |
[11] C. Warneke, T. Karl, H. Judmaier, A. Hansel, A. Jordan, W. Lindinger, P. J. Crutzen, Acetone, methanol, and other partially oxidized volatile organic emissions from dead plant matter by abiological processes: significance for atmospheric HOx chemistry. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 1999, 13, 9.
| Acetone, methanol, and other partially oxidized volatile organic emissions from dead plant matter by abiological processes: significance for atmospheric HOx chemistry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXhs12kt7o%3D&md5=b193c3129f69553576fd445e5ec5563fCAS |
[12] J. T. G. Hamilton, W. C. McRoberts, F. Keppler, R. M. Kalin, D. B. Harper, Chloride methylation by plant pectin: an efficient environmentally significant process. Science 2003, 301, 206.
| Chloride methylation by plant pectin: an efficient environmentally significant process.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXlsF2gu7o%3D&md5=4419f68f5bb670e36df4cf9c7d63e778CAS |
[13] F. Keppler, R. M. Kalin, D. B. Harper, W. C. McRoberts, J. T. G. Hamilton, Carbon isotope anomaly in the major plant C1 pool and its global biogeochemical implications. Biogeosciences 2004, 1, 123.
| Carbon isotope anomaly in the major plant C1 pool and its global biogeochemical implications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXpsFWgu7s%3D&md5=c5650d1a8cc8061b9f7e8c96bda71421CAS |
[14] W. L. Chameides, R. W. Lindsay, J. Richardson, C. S. Kiang, The role of biogenic hydrocarbons in urban photochemical smog: Atlanta as a case study. Science 1988, 241, 1473.
| The role of biogenic hydrocarbons in urban photochemical smog: Atlanta as a case study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXlslGmt70%3D&md5=96c49cff13eedd14eca3f9fb1c3940bbCAS |
[15] S. Sauvage, H. Plaisance, N. Locoge, A. Wroblewski, P. Coddeville, J. C. Galloo, Long term measurements and source apportionment of non-methane hydrocarbons in three French rural areas. Atmos. Environ. 2009, 43, 2430.
| Long term measurements and source apportionment of non-methane hydrocarbons in three French rural areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXktVejurg%3D&md5=a20ae3690539b331d45b755b41faa342CAS |
[16] E. L. Yates, R. G. Derwent, P. G. Simmonds, B. R. Greally, S. O’Doherty, D. E. Shallcross, The seasonal cycles and photochemistry of C2–C5 alkanes at Mace Head. Atmos. Environ. 2010, 44, 2705.
| The seasonal cycles and photochemistry of C2–C5 alkanes at Mace Head.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXnslags7s%3D&md5=b1016811af1dc04d81cf4080a3e8afe0CAS |
[17] A. Pozzer, J. Pollmann, D. Taraborrelli, P. Jöckel, D. Helmig, P. Tans, J. Hueber, J. Lelieveld, Observed and simulated global distribution and budget of atmospheric C2–C5 alkanes. Atmos. Chem. Phys. 2010, 10, 4403.
| Observed and simulated global distribution and budget of atmospheric C2–C5 alkanes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXptFWhu7s%3D&md5=6668d3fdf5e5e8a2653f7507760a8ad6CAS |
[18] T. M. Cahill, V. Y. Seaman, M. J. Charles, R. Holzinger, A. H. Goldstein, Secondary organic aerosols formed from oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. J. Geophys. Res. 2006, 111, D16312.
| Secondary organic aerosols formed from oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[19] M. Claeys, B. Graham, G. Vas, W. Wang, R. Vermeylen, V. Pashynska, J. Guyon, M. O. Andreae, P. Artaxo, W. Maenhaut, Formation of secondary organic aerosols through photooxidation of isoprene. Science 2004, 303, 1173.
| Formation of secondary organic aerosols through photooxidation of isoprene.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhsVWgtb4%3D&md5=2f4de99e49a5090d3e6c568bea911353CAS |
[20] R. Holzinger, A. Lee, K. T. Paw, A. H. Goldstein, Observations of oxidation products above a forest imply biogenic emissions of very reactive compounds. Atmos. Chem. Phys. 2005, 5, 67.
| Observations of oxidation products above a forest imply biogenic emissions of very reactive compounds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXktlyqsbw%3D&md5=146d0fc00c5fc468fd811340de7f916bCAS |
[21] P. Di Carlo, W. H. Martinez, H. Harder, R. Lesher, X. Ren, T. Thornberry, M. A. Carroll, V. Young, P. B. Shepson, D. Riemer, E. Apel, C. Campbell, Missing OH reactivity in a forest: evidence for unknown reactive biogenic VOCs. Science 2004, 304, 722.
| Missing OH reactivity in a forest: evidence for unknown reactive biogenic VOCs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXjsV2gt7c%3D&md5=fe8c39e4a8c568b8b6e5235a1266f897CAS |
[22] E. Matthews, Global litter production, pools, and turnover times: estimates from measurement data and regression models. J. Geophys. Res. 1997, 102, 18771.
[23] E. Ayres, H. Steltzer, B. L. Simmons, R. T. Simpson, J. M. Steinweg, M. D. Wallenstein, N. Mellor, W. J. Parton, J. C. Moore, D. H. Wall, Home-field advantage accelerates leaf litter decomposition in forests. Soil Biol. Biochem. 2009, 41, 606.
| Home-field advantage accelerates leaf litter decomposition in forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXit1Omt7c%3D&md5=a57d686f251be431cfaeda9e18309d04CAS |
[24] L. A. Brandt, J. Y. King, D. G. Milchunas, Effects of ultraviolet radiation on litter decomposition depend on precipitation and litter chemistry in a shortgrass steppe ecosystem. Glob. Change Biol. 2007, 13, 2193.
| Effects of ultraviolet radiation on litter decomposition depend on precipitation and litter chemistry in a shortgrass steppe ecosystem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[25] L. A. Brandt, C. Bohnet, J. Y. King, Photochemically induced carbon dioxide production as a mechanism for carbon loss from plant litter in arid ecosystems. J. Geophys. Res. 2009, 114, G02004.
| Photochemically induced carbon dioxide production as a mechanism for carbon loss from plant litter in arid ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[26] T. A. Day, E. T. Zhang, C. T. Ruhland, Exposure to solar UV-B radiation accelerates mass and lignin loss of Larrea tridentata litter in the Sonoran Desert. Plant Ecol. 2007, 193, 185.
| Exposure to solar UV-B radiation accelerates mass and lignin loss of Larrea tridentata litter in the Sonoran Desert.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[27] A. T. Austin, L. Vivanco, Plant litter decomposition in a semi-arid ecosystem controlled by photodegradation. Nature 2006, 442, 555.
| Plant litter decomposition in a semi-arid ecosystem controlled by photodegradation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xnsl2jsLg%3D&md5=3acd25a79f96c327c009609689e79456CAS |
[28] A. M. Anesio, L. J. Tranvik, W. Granéli, Production of inorganic carbon from aquatic macrophytes by solar radiation. Ecology 1999, 80, 1852.
| Production of inorganic carbon from aquatic macrophytes by solar radiation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[29] M. E. Gallo, A. Porras-Alfaro, K. J. Odenbach, R. L. Sinsabaugh, Photoacceleration of plant litter decomposition in an arid environment. Soil Biol. Biochem. 2009, 41, 1433.
| Photoacceleration of plant litter decomposition in an arid environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXnt1Oltbk%3D&md5=6a8f64dd9633db6e2b9f85ce662d8ae3CAS |
[30] T. W. Kimmerer, T. T. Kozlowski, Ethylene, ethane, acetaldehyde, and ethanol production by plants under stress. Plant Physiol. 1982, 69, 840.
| Ethylene, ethane, acetaldehyde, and ethanol production by plants under stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL38Xhslyjt78%3D&md5=6f416f4efe66a3bf4473d919d755fc01CAS |
[31] G. Bernhard, B. Mayer, G. Seckmeyer, A. Moise, Measurements of spectral solar UV irradiance in tropical Australia. J. Geophys. Res. 1997, 102, 8719.
| Measurements of spectral solar UV irradiance in tropical Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXjsVyrsLo%3D&md5=5e2cd16379aac66c23a753159ff98d6eCAS |
[32] B. Halliwell, J. M. C. Gutteridge, Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine, 4th edn 2008 (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK).
[33] W. W. John, R. W. Curtis, Isolation and identification of the precursor of ethane in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Plant Physiol. 1977, 59, 521.
| Isolation and identification of the precursor of ethane in Phaseolus vulgaris L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE2sXhsFaksro%3D&md5=d06ac82d18f474181575462959fe3535CAS |
[34] E. E. Dumelin, A. L. Tappel, Hydrocarbon gases produced during in vitro peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and decomposition of preformed hydroperoxides. Lipids 1977, 12, 894.
| Hydrocarbon gases produced during in vitro peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and decomposition of preformed hydroperoxides.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1cXhslOluw%3D%3D&md5=c9578aa4e06754413e095da66b41d8a3CAS |
[35] J. R. Konze, E. F. Elstner, Ethane and ethylene formation by mitochondria as indication of aerobic lipid degradation in response to wounding of plant tissue. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1978, 528, 213.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaE1cXhtFyjsrw%3D&md5=e797a900041087f88362ab5e535d9804CAS |
[36] M. M. Kvalevåg, G. Myhre, C. E. Lund Myhre, Extensive reduction of surface UV radiation since 1750 in world’s populated regions. Atmos. Chem. Phys. 2009, 9, 7737.
| Extensive reduction of surface UV radiation since 1750 in world’s populated regions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[37] A. McKinlay, B. L. Diffey, A reference action spectrum for ultraviolet induced erythema in human skin, in Human Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation: Risks and Regulations (Eds W. F. Passchier, B. F. M. Bosnajakovic) 1987¸ pp. 83–87 (Elsevier: Amsterdam, the Netherlands).
[38] D. Bruhn, T. N. Mikkelsen, J. Øbro, W. G. T. Willats, P. Ambus, Effects of temperature, ultraviolet radiation and pectin methyl esterase on aerobic methane release from plant material. Plant Biol. 2009, 11, 43.
| Effects of temperature, ultraviolet radiation and pectin methyl esterase on aerobic methane release from plant material.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXlslajsr4%3D&md5=6b0aea8f0f78c4fd7cefdfa9b14cce6cCAS |
[39] N. Poisson, M. Kanakidou, P. J. Crutzen, Impact of non-methane hydrocarbons on tropospheric chemistry and the oxidizing power of the global troposphere: 3-dimensional modeling results. J. Atmos. Chem. 2000, 36, 157.
| Impact of non-methane hydrocarbons on tropospheric chemistry and the oxidizing power of the global troposphere: 3-dimensional modeling results.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXjt1Grt7Y%3D&md5=910a54e642a787a028f803d3ec8f357dCAS |
[40] O. Stein, J. Rudolph, Modeling and interpretation of stable carbon isotope ratios of ethane in global chemical transport models. J. Geophys. Res. 2007, 112, D14308.
| Modeling and interpretation of stable carbon isotope ratios of ethane in global chemical transport models.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
