Exploring the edge of a natural disaster

Michael W. Jenkins, Dan J. Krofcheck, Rachel Teasdale, James Houpis, James Pushnik

Center for Ecosyetem Research (CER), California State University, Chico, USA;Department of Geological and Environmental Science, California State University, Chico, USA.
Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA.
Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences and Office of Academic Affairs, California State University, East Bay Office of the Academic Affairs, East Bay, USA.
Department of Geological and Environmental Science, California State University, Chico, USA;Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Chico, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/oje.2012.24026                

Abstract

Natural geological, chronic and acute release of volcanic gases can have a dramatic impact on vegetative ecosystems and potential impact on regional agriculture and human health. This research incorporates a series of observations using leaf level gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and remotely sensed reflectance measurements of vegetation experiencing chronic exposure to volcanic gas emissions; to develop techniques for monitoring the relative health of vegetation along the edge of an acute vegetative kill zone of a natural disaster and potential preeruption vegetation physiology. Experiments were conducted along an elevation gradient that corresponds to the SO₂ gradient on vegetation along the south flank of Volcán Turrialba, Costa Rica. This study site is a natural environment with high volcanic degassing activity with significant SO₂ emissions (n/d-0.281 ppm). Corresponding to an SO₂ gradient, a substantial increase in CO₂ concentration of (430-517 ppm) was identified. We further show the physiological interactions of SO₂ and CO₂ have on vegetation along the kill zone of this natural disaster can be assessed by examining the SO₂/CO₂ ratios. The physiological indices tested and relationships among measurements emphasized in this research will add to the assessment of the impact atmospheric volcanic gas emissions have on the physiology of surrounding vegetation as well as advance the capability of remotely sensed environmental stress in natural settings.

Keywords

Carbon Dioxide; Chlorophyll Fluorescence; Leaf Level Gas Exchange; Natural Disaster; Remote Sensing; Sulphur Dioxide; Volcanic Gas Emissions

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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