CO/sub 2/ efflux from deciduous forest litter and soil in response to simulated acid rain treatment

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6120061

Kelly, J M; Strickland, R C

Using both field and laboratory measurements of CO/sub 2/ evolution as an index of decomposer activity, forest microcosms were used to evaluate the impact of simulated acidic precipitation on decomposition. The following pH treatments: 5.7, 4.5, 4.0 and 3.5 annual average were applied for a 30 month period. No statistically significant effect of treatment on decomposition could be found in the field measurements. When the microcosm was partitioned into 01 and 02 litter, mineral soil (A and B horizons), and roots within the mineral soil horizons for laboratory determination of CO/sub 2/ efflux, only the 02 litter exhibited a statistically significant decrease as a function of treatment. The data collected do not allow a complete evaluation of the potential impact of this decrease. However, efflux of CO/sub 2/ from the 02 layer was small compared to the other layers, and this may account for the failure to detect a significant response in the field measurements. Although the field data did not exhibit a significant response, there is sufficient question concerning the 02 response to warrant additional investigation, especially since many plants derive a major portion of their nutritional requirements directly from the 02 litter layer. 14 references, 2 figures, 3 tables.

• Research Organization: Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, AL
• OSTI ID: 6120061
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 23:4; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
DIFFUSION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOREST LITTER
FORESTS
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
MICROCOSMS
MINERALIZATION
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
RAIN
SIMULATION