Effect of simulated sulfuric acid rain on the chemistry of a sulfate-adsorbing forest soil

Technical Report · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6294252

Lee, J J

Simulated H2SO4 rain (pH 3.0, 3.5, 4.0) or control rain (pH 5.6) was applied for 3.5 yr to large lysimeter boxes containing a sulfate-adsorbing forest soil and either red alder (Alnus rubra) or sugar maple (Acer saccharum) seedlings. After removal of the plants and the litter layer, soil samples were obtained at 15-cm intervals to a total depth of 90 cm. Elevated SO4 concentrations caused by the simulated H2SO4 rain were most pronounced for the top 15 cm, but extended down to 45 cm(maple) or 75 cm(alder). There were no effects on SO4 concentrations at a depth of 75 to 90 cm. Elevated concentration of NO3 and extractable Zn throughout the alder systems indicated (1) either increased rates of symbiotic N-fixation or decreased rates of N immobilization; and (2) mobilization of Zn by all acid rain treatments.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR (USA). Environmental Research Lab.
• OSTI ID: 6294252
• Report Number(s): PB-85-244259/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CALCIUM
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FEDERAL REGION X
FORESTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
MAGNESIUM
METALS
NITROGEN FIXATION
NORTH AMERICA
OREGON
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM
RAIN
SIMULATION
SODIUM
SOILS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFURIC ACID
USA
ZINC