Sulphur Pollution and its Dependency on the Altitude in the West Anatolian Scots Pine Forest

Abstract

In this study, the pollution levels of sulphur and its impact, depending on altitude were examined in the West Anatolian (Turkmen Mountain) Scots pine (Pious sylvestris subsp. hamata) forests. According to the average values, it was found that the total sulphur amount was 1243-1658 ppm, 1526-2003 ppm, 1387-1809 ppm in one-year old, two-year old and three-year old needles respectively. It was detected that there was a significant and negative relationship between altitude and the total sulphur amount in the needles (P<0.05). The sulphur amount in the forest floor decreased with altitude but this decrease was not significant (P>0.05). Sulphur in the B, C and Cv horizons of the soil correlated with the altitude positively (P<0.05), but no significant correlation was found between altitude and the sulphur amount of Ah, Ad l and Bst horizons (P>0.05). According to the results, The Turkmen Mountain Scots Pine Forest is under a sulphur pollution threat and the pollution has intensified more at the bottom of the mountain.