Bidirectional exchange of methyl halides between tropical plants and the atmosphere. Issue 19 (7th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saito, Takuya; Yokouchi, Yoko; Phillip, Elizabeth; Okuda, Toshinori
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 40:Issue 19(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 5300
• Page End: 5304
• Publication Date: 2013-10-07
• Subjects: Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/grl.50997
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>[1] Using a stable isotope tracer technique, we studied the exchange of methyl chloride (CH₃Cl) and methyl bromide (CH₃Br) between plants and the atmosphere in a tropical rain forest in Malaysia. Most plant species examined showed not only production but also consumption of CH₃Cl with a large net emission overall. In contrast, CH₃Br consumption was comparable to its production, so the net emission was small. The rates of CH₃Cl and CH₃Br consumption were highly correlated with each other, and their ratio was consistent with reported values in terrestrial ecosystems, where microorganisms are responsible for the consumption. Such microorganisms might participate in the consumption we observed, as the consumption rates were faster in saplings, whose leaves were generally covered by epiphytic microorganisms, than in healthy looking leaves of mature trees.</p> </abstract>