2025-04-11 中国科学院(CAS)
<関連情報>
- https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research_news/life/202504/t20250415_1041259.shtml
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25003760
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
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.