SEM-EDX Analysis of Aerosol Particles in the Atmosphere and on the Leaf Surfaces

Abstract

To clarify the existence of elements that can neutralize acid rain on the leaf surfaces of several tree species, a SEM-EDX analysis of aerosol particles in the atmosphere and on leaf surfaces was conducted in the summer and fall seasons of 2002. Our results indicated that almost all the aerosol particles collected from the atmosphere predominantly contained a high frequency of the element Si and then of the element Al. Similarly, particles collected from the leaves of several kinds of trees contained mainly Si and Al elements. However, the frequen cies of these particles on the leaf surfaces were not at levels that could effectively neutralize acid rain. In contrast, particles that were collected from leaf surfaces during rainfall contained a 40 ~ 60 percent frequency of the element K. Based on these findings and our previous works, we consider that the element K exuded from the leaves to neutralize acid rain.