[1]
Congyan Wang, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P. R. China; Institute of Environment and Ecology, Academy of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P. R. China.
[2]
Jun Liu, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P. R. China; Institute of Environment and Ecology, Academy of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P. R. China.
[3]
Hongguang Xiao, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P. R. China; Institute of Environment and Ecology, Academy of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P. R. China.
[4]
Jiawei Zhou, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P. R. China; Institute of Environment and Ecology, Academy of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P. R. China.
The progressively diversified in the types of acid deposition may complicate the pronounced effects of acid deposition on the structure, function, and stability of ecosystems. Meanwhile, leaf functional traits are important indices in relation to the relationship between various environmental factors and leaf functioning of plant species. This study aims to assess the effects of five types of acid deposition with different SO42− to NO3− ratios (1:0, sulfuric acid; 3:1, sulfuric-rich acid; 1:1, mixed acid; 1:3, nitric-rich acid; 0:1, nitric acid) on the leaf functional traits of one of the common crops Amaranthus tricolor L.. Sulfuric-rich acid deposition and mixed acid deposition significantly decreased leaf shape index of A. tricolor. This may be attributed to the decreased soil pH values mediated by acid deposition which could show negative effects on leaf growth of A. tricolor. Sulfuric-rich acid deposition triggered more negative effects on leaf functional traits (especially leaf length, leaf width, leaf shape index, and leaf N concentration) of A. tricolor than nitric-rich and/or nitric acid deposition. This may be attributed to nitric deposition possibly exerting a fertilizing effect but not sulfuric deposition. Another reason may be the difference in exchange capacity with hydroxyl groups (OH–) between SO42– and NO3−. Therefore, the ratio of SO42− to NO3− in acid deposition may be a key factor determining the effects of acid deposition on leaf functional traits of A. tricolor.
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