M. Howsam et al., PAHs in the soils of a mature, mixed-deciduous (Quercus-Fraxinus) woodlandand the surrounding pasture, WATER A S P, 121(1-4), 2000, pp. 379-398
A survey of PAHs in the soils of a mature, mixed-deciduous woodland and the
surrounding pasture was conducted along two transects. PAH 'profiles' were
not significantly different in the woodland soil compared with the pasture
. Sigma PAH concentrations in the woodland soil were significantly higher t
han soil from the surrounding pasture by a factor of 1.5-3 (P < 0.01), indi
cating enhanced deposition of PAHs to the soil under the canopy via leaf li
tter, stemflow and/or through-fall. A deposition 'edge effect' was only obs
erved at the windward edge of the canopy where the number and density of ae
rial and basal stems was highest (P < 0.05). The influence of predominant w
est/south-westerly winds was observable in the lack of an edge effect at th
e leeward edges, and the higher Sigma PAH concentrations in the predominant
ly leeward pasture compared to the windward pasture (P < 0.05).