The role of land use on fate of metals in soils is poorly understood. In this work, we studied the incorporation of lead in two neighboring soils with comparable pedogenesis but under long-term different agricultural management. Distributions of anthropogenic Pb were assessed from concentrations and isotopic compositions determined on bulk horizon samples, systematical 5–10 cm increment samples, and on 24-h EDTA extracts. Minor amounts of anthropogenic lead were detected until 1-m depth under permanent grassland, linked to high earthworm activity. In arable land, exogenous Pb predominantly accumulated at depths <60 cm. Although the proximity between the two sites ensured comparable exposition regarding atmospheric Pb deposition, the isotopic compositions clearly showed the influence of an unidentified component for the cultivated soil. This work highlights the need for exhaustive information on historical human activities in such anthropized agrosystems when fate of metal pollution is considered.

Kinetic EDTA and citrate extractions were used to mimic metal mobilization in a soil contaminated by metallurgical fallout. Modeling of metal removal rates vs. time distinguished two metal pools: readily labile (QM1) and less labile (QM2). In citrate extractions, total extractability (QM1 + QM2) of Zn and Cd was proportionally higher than for Pb and Cu. Proportions of Pb and Cu extracted with EDTA were three times higher than when using citrate. We observed similar QM1/QM2 ratios for Zn and Cu regardless of the extractant, suggesting comparable binding energies to soil constituents. However, for Pb and Cd, more heterogeneous binding energies were hypothesized to explain different kinetic extraction behaviors. Proportions of citrate-labile metals were found consistent with their short-term, in-situ mobility assessed in the studied soil, i.e., metal amount released in the soil solution or extracted by cultivated plants. Kinetic EDTA extractions were hypothesized to be more predictive for long-term metal migration with depth.

The tropospheric level of the phytotoxic air pollutant ozone has considerably increased during the last century and is expected to continue to rise. Long-term exposures of higher plants to low ozone concentrations affect biochemical processes prior to any detectable symptoms of visible injury. On the other hand, the current critical level of ozone used to determine the threshold for damaging plants (biomass loss) is still based on the seasonal sum of the external concentrations of the pollutant above 40 nl l-1 (AOT40). Taking into account the stomatal conductance, a more relevant concept is based upon the actual ozone flux in the leaf through the stomata (cumulative uptake of ozone = CUO). CUO however ignores the internal capacity of leaf defense, which led to the concept of “effective ozone flux”, balance between stomatal flux and the intensity of cellular detoxification, with the aim to propose an improved threshold for ozone risk. Although the direct detoxification of ozone (and ROS issued from its decomposition) can primarily be carried out by cell wall ascorbate, the existing level of this antioxidant is not sufficient to indicate the degree of cell sensitivity. The capacity for regeneration of the antioxidant barrier is needed, implying the knowledge of the increased production of reducing power (NAD(P)H), primary supplier for detoxifying processes. It is made possible through the increased participation of the catabolic pathwaysand associated shunts which can provide NAD(P)H. In addition, the large change in the rubisco/PEPcase ratio, due to a huge increase in activity of the latter enzyme, leads to changes in carbon isotopic discrimination, which could be related to water use efficiency.Some results will be presented knowing that the challenge is to integrate the possible indicators in a leaf model to be used, through an upscaling process, in a tree and forest stand model.