Acid precipitation and ionic movements in Adironack forest soils

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1982.03615995004600010026x· OSTI ID:5070580

Mollitor, A V; Raynal, D J

To examine potential effects of acid precipitation on forest soils in a hardwood and in a coniferous stand in the central Adirondacks of New York State, solution chemistry was studied in five strata of these ecosystems. Bulk precipitation, throughfall, and soil leachates were sampled and analyzed for pH, NO/sub 3/, SO/sub 4/, K, Ca, Mg, and Na. A subset of the samples were analyzed for Al. Organic anion concentrations were estimated from ionic charge balances. Concentrations of NO/sub 3/, H, and K in B horizon leachates were not significantly different than precipitation concentrations, while concentrations of SO/sub 4/, Ca, Mg, and Na in water leaving the sola were significantly greater than precipitation concentrations. Patterns of movement for most ions were similar for both study sites, but concentrations were generally greater in the conifer system. Cation leaching from the hardwood site appears about equally influenced by SO/sub 4/ and organic anion leaching. Sulfate and organic anion concentrations were greater in the conifer site but organic anion leaching dominated. Sulfate appears highly mobile in these soils. Chronic leaching by H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ combined with internally generated organic acids may represent a threat to the nutrient status of many Adirondack forest soils.

• Research Organization: State Univ. of New York, Syracuse
• OSTI ID: 5070580
• Journal Information: Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States) Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 46:1; ISSN SSSJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ACID RAIN
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
CALCIUM
CHEMISTRY
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FEDERAL REGION II
FORESTS
GEOCHEMISTRY
LEACHATES
MAGNESIUM
METALS
MIXTURES
NEW YORK
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
POTASSIUM
RAIN
SODIUM
SOILS
SOLUTIONS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
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