Characterization of a thermo-osmotic gas transport mechanism in Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. |
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Authors: | Peter Schröder |
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Institution: | (1) Botanisches Institut der Universität zu Köln, Gyrhofstrasse 15, D-5000 Köln 41, Germany;(2) Present address: Fraunhofer Institute for Atmospheric Environmental Research, Kreuzeckbahnstrasse 19, D-8100 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany |
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Abstract: | Summary A gas transport system based upon the physico-chemical effect of thermo-osmosis of gases in described for the black alder, Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. Air is transported through the alder's stem to the roots, thus improving O2 supply to respiring tissues of the root system. The gas transport system is investigated by means of a tracer gas technique (11% ethane in air, v/v). Gas transport depends on any source of radiant heat generating a temperature difference between the tree's stems and the atmosphere. The amount of gas transported in leafless trees is four times higher than the amount of gas reaching the roots by gas diffusion. Two-thirds of the gas is transported in the wood, only one-third in the bark. Intercellular spaces inside the porous lenticels of the bark are responsible for this kind of gas transport. Their diameters are estimated by the effusion rates of different tracer gases to be in the range of 1 m. |
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Keywords: | Alder Alnus glutinosa Gas transport Root aeration Thermo-osmosis of gases |
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