Nitrate formation in acid forest soils from the Adirondacks

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1983.03615995004700030022x· OSTI ID:7018731

Klein, T M; Kreitinger, J P; Alexander, M

Nitrate formation in three forest soils from the Adirondacks region of New York was studied in the laboratory. The organic and surface mineral layers of the soils has pH values ranging from 3.6 to 4.1. Nitrate was formed when the soils were treated with artificial rain at pH 3.5, 4.1, or 5.6. Compared to simulated rain at pH 5.6, simulated rain at pH 3.5 enhanced nitrate formation in one soil and inhibited it in two other soils. The rate of nitrate accumulation was about 10 times higher in the organic horizon than in the mineral horizon, and nitrate formation was not enhanced by ammonium additions. Nitrate formation in soil suspensions was dependent on the amount of soil in the suspension, and none was formed if little soil was present. Ammonium did not enhance nitrate production in the suspensions. It is suggested that nitrate formation in these acid soils is not limited by the ammonium supply. 19 references, 2 figures, 2 tables.

• OSTI ID: 7018731
• Journal Information: Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States), Vol. 47
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
SIMULATION
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
SOILS
NITRATES
SYNTHESIS
PH VALUE
FORESTS
NITRIFICATION
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
MOUNTAINS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RAIN
510200* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)