Plant physiology is the study of internal plant activities including phytochemistry, environmental interactions, plant morphology, molecular and cell biology, and cellular interactions. It explores plant functions and processes, the effects that plants have on their surroundings and the way plants react to their aquatic environments.

At AWAE, Plant physiology and atmospheric deposition are used to study Air and water quality in high elevation natural ecosystems, and the impact of energy development on natural ecosystems.

Air Quality in Mountain Ecosystems - Ozone

The monitoring of ozone in remote ecosystems is problematic, since continuous ozone monitors need electric power to operate. Two solutions to this problem exist. The first is to use passive samplers to estimate ozone loading. Passive samplers utilize a chemical reaction of ozone with nitrite to form nitrate. The amount of nitrate indicates the amount of ozone loading. Nitrite-coated filters are exposed for 1-2 weeks and then analyzed for nitrate. The second method is to use portable battery powered ozone monitors for continuous monitoring of ozone in remote ecosystems.

Briefing Paper