How Do Beetle-Infested Trees Pollute the Air?

Effect of Bark Beetle Infestation on Secondary Organic Aerosol Precursor Emissions (Abstract ,Hardik Amin, P. Tyson Atkins, Rachel S. Russo, Aaron W. Brown, Barkley Sive, A. Gannet Hallar, and Kara E. Huff Hartz, Environmental Science & Technology, April 30, 2012)

 Also discussed here: Beetle-Infested Pine Trees Contribute More to Air Pollution and Haze in Forests (ScienceDaily, May 23, 2012)

And here: Emerald Ash Borer (City of Ottawa)

Today we review research that looks at how trees infested with beetles contribute to poorer air quality in and near forests. Results indicate up to a 20 fold increase in Volatile Organic Chemicals. Although the focus is on forests in the wild, one can speculate that the same process may be at work in urban areas with beetle diseased trees, such as the Emerald Ash Borer which has killed millions of ash trees in Ontario and many parts of the United States.

.  
Key Quotes:

“The emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were sampled from bark beetle infested and healthy lodgepole pine trees and from sites with and without active mountain pine beetle infestation”

“The beetles bore into the bark of pine trees to lay eggs. Gases, called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which act as defense mechanisms against the beetles, are released from the bore holes”

 “ The samples from bark beetle infested lodgepole pine trees suggest a 5- to 20-fold enhancement in total VOCs emissions….that foster haze and air pollution in forested areas”

 “The data suggest that the bark beetle epidemic in the western U.S. could have led to higher monoterpene concentrations in the air that can contribute to haze, which can harm human health, reduce visibility and impact climate, say the researchers”

Related articles

• Beetle-infested pine trees contribute to air pollution and haze in forests (eurekalert.org)
• Beetle-infested pine trees contribute more to air pollution and haze in forests (eurekalert.org)
• Environment: Pine beetles add insult to injury (summitcountyvoice.com)
• Beetle-infested pine trees contribute more to air pollution and haze in forests (terradaily.com)
• Beetle-infested pine trees contribute more to air pollution and haze in forests (esciencenews.com)
• Pine beetles contributing to forest smog, study shows (cbc.ca)
• Beetle-infested Pine Trees Contribute to Air Pollution and Haze in Forests (terradaily.com)
• Beetle-infested pine trees contribute more to air pollution and haze in forests (phys.org)
• City council will take on the beetle (saultstar.com)
• Pine beetle infested trees also produce haze, study says (rapidcityjournal.com)
• Emerald Ash Borer Beetle Spreading Throughout Maryland (baltimore.cbslocal.com)
• New Strategy Will Hopefully Slow Down Emerald Ash Borer Beetle (baltimore.cbslocal.com)