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Title: Rhizosphere pH responses to simulated acid rain as measured with glass microelectrodes

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to develop a useful experimental system for studying the rhizosphere of growing roots, and to investigate the effects of bulk soil pH and foliar acid rain application on the rhizosphere pH of alfalfa, corn and soybeans. First, a study was done to compare soil pH measurements made with a standard glass pH electrode with those made using an antimony (Sb) microelectrode. Because of uncertainty with the Sb microelectrodes' response, glass pH-sensitive microelectrodes were made and tested for rhizosphere pH measurements. The influence of soil water pressure gradients in the range of {minus}10 to {minus}1500 kPa in the proximity of the pH and reference electrodes on pH measurements made with microelectrodes was studied. The effect of foliar acid rain application on the rhizosphere pH of alfalfa, corn, and soybean as a function of soil pH were studied. Alfalfa, corn, and soybean were grown into minirhizotrons containing reformed samples of both Seymour A and Bt soil horizons, and the rhizosphere pH measured. The measured in situ bulk soil pH ranged from 4.9 to 6.2 in the A horizon and from 4.0 to 5.7 in the Bt horizon. Plants received acid or non-acid foliar rain applications. Rhizospheremore » pH was measured using a glass pH-sensitive microelectrode. Acid rain applications caused foliar damage, but had little effect on the rhizosphere pH. The general trend was for the lateral root pH values to be slightly higher than the main root values.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Missouri Univ., Columbia, MO (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
6811273
Resource Type:
Miscellaneous
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; 01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; ACID RAIN; TOXICITY; AIR POLLUTION; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; ALFALFA; SENSITIVITY; GLYCINE HISPIDA; MAIZE; FOLIAR UPTAKE; MEASURING METHODS; PH VALUE; ROOT ABSORPTION; SIMULATION; SOILS; ABSORPTION; ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS; CEREALS; GRASS; LEGUMINOSAE; LILIOPSIDA; MAGNOLIOPHYTA; MAGNOLIOPSIDA; PLANTS; POLLUTION; RAIN; UPTAKE; 540220* - Environment, Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-); 560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology; 010900 - Coal, Lignite, & Peat- Environmental Aspects

Citation Formats

Conkling, B L. Rhizosphere pH responses to simulated acid rain as measured with glass microelectrodes. United States: N. p., 1988. Web.
Conkling, B L. Rhizosphere pH responses to simulated acid rain as measured with glass microelectrodes. United States.
Conkling, B L. 1988. "Rhizosphere pH responses to simulated acid rain as measured with glass microelectrodes". United States.
@article{osti_6811273,
title = {Rhizosphere pH responses to simulated acid rain as measured with glass microelectrodes},
author = {Conkling, B L},
abstractNote = {The objectives of this study were to develop a useful experimental system for studying the rhizosphere of growing roots, and to investigate the effects of bulk soil pH and foliar acid rain application on the rhizosphere pH of alfalfa, corn and soybeans. First, a study was done to compare soil pH measurements made with a standard glass pH electrode with those made using an antimony (Sb) microelectrode. Because of uncertainty with the Sb microelectrodes' response, glass pH-sensitive microelectrodes were made and tested for rhizosphere pH measurements. The influence of soil water pressure gradients in the range of {minus}10 to {minus}1500 kPa in the proximity of the pH and reference electrodes on pH measurements made with microelectrodes was studied. The effect of foliar acid rain application on the rhizosphere pH of alfalfa, corn, and soybean as a function of soil pH were studied. Alfalfa, corn, and soybean were grown into minirhizotrons containing reformed samples of both Seymour A and Bt soil horizons, and the rhizosphere pH measured. The measured in situ bulk soil pH ranged from 4.9 to 6.2 in the A horizon and from 4.0 to 5.7 in the Bt horizon. Plants received acid or non-acid foliar rain applications. Rhizosphere pH was measured using a glass pH-sensitive microelectrode. Acid rain applications caused foliar damage, but had little effect on the rhizosphere pH. The general trend was for the lateral root pH values to be slightly higher than the main root values.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6811273}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988},
month = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988}
}

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