陸域生態系における標高勾配に沿った有毒元素の駆動因子を解明(Study Clarifies Potential Drivers of Toxic Elements Along Elevational Gradients in Terrestrial Ecosystems)

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2025-04-11 中国科学院(CAS)

中国科学院西双版納熱帯植物園の研究者らは、標高勾配に沿った毒性元素の分布と蓄積パターンに関する包括的な文献レビューを通じて、これらの要因に気候や植生の変化が重要な影響を及ぼすことを明らかにした。特に大気沈着が主要因であり、工業由来のエアロゾルや微粒子が標高ごとに異なる形で蓄積される。また、沈着パターンには季節変動があり、夏季と冬季に顕著な増加が見られる。さらに、風や降水による長距離移動や湿性沈着の影響も指摘され、毒性元素は生態系の生物多様性や分解・栄養循環に深刻な影響を与える可能性がある。今後の生態系保全のためには、毒性元素の影響に関する研究が求められる。

<関連情報>

標高勾配を越えた陸上生態系における有害元素蓄積の促進要因 Drivers of toxic element accumulation in terrestrial ecosystems across elevational gradients

Baba Imoro Musah, Jie Yang, Guorui Xu

Ecological Indicators  Available online: 10 April 2025

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113446

陸域生態系における標高勾配に沿った有毒元素の駆動因子を解明(Study Clarifies Potential Drivers of Toxic Elements Along Elevational Gradients in Terrestrial Ecosystems)

Highlights

  • Terrestrial toxic elements mainly originate from natural and anthropogenic sources.
  • Atmospheric deposition is a key pathway for toxic elements in mountain regions.
  • Most toxic elements increase with elevation in terrestrial ecosystems.
  • Toxic elements harm terrestrial biota and can transfer through food webs.
  • Toxic elements affect litter decomposition and nutrient cycling.

Abstract

Terrestrial ecosystems, account for approximately 31% of the global land area and play a significant role in the biogeochemical cycling of toxic elements. Previous studies have explored the spatial patterns, effects, and drivers of toxic elements along urban gradients, agricultural lands, grasslands, and mining sites. However, the elevational patterns of toxic elements in montane ecosystems and the underlying drivers remain largely unknown. Atmospheric deposition is a crucial pathway through which toxic elements accumulate along terrestrial elevational gradients. The accumulation of toxic elements exhibited seasonal variability along elevational gradients, with higher deposition occurring in summer and winter. Approximately 46.77% of toxic elements (e.g. Hg) exhibited increasing trends with elevation, while 22.58% demonstrated decreasing patterns (Ba, Co). Furthermore, 8.06% displayed hump-shaped distributions (Ag), and 22.58% showed no distinct patterns (As and Zn). The accumulation of these elements is influenced by several key factors, including atmospheric deposition (26.56%), anthropogenic activities (14.11%), and precipitation (10.37%) primarily via wet deposition of atmospheric pollutants. The accumulation of toxic elements threatens terrestrial biodiversity by disrupting food chains, altering community structures, and causing individual mortality. These disruptions also pose risks to human health through contaminated food sources and food webs, potentially leading to health issues like cancer, organ damage, and reproductive challenges. This review offers key insights into the factors affecting the accumulation and distribution of toxic elements along elevation gradients. It also lays the groundwork for further study on how toxic elements impact ecosystem functions, which is crucial for protecting biodiversity under climate change.

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