Effect of pH on leaf decomposition in low alkalinity lakes
- Northeastern Univ., Boston, MA (United States)
Two microcosm experiments were conducted to study the effects of low pH on leaf decomposition in low-alkalinity lakes. In the first experiment, a mix of oak and birch litter was incubated for six months in water from Little Rock Lake, Wisconsin, at pH 5.0 and 6.5. In the second experiment, maple litter was incubated for three months in water from Round Pond, Massachusetts, at pH 4.0, and in water from Walden Pond, Massachusetts, at pH 6.0. In both experiments, litter weight loss was less at the lower pH. However, the initial carbon loss from maple litter at pH 4.0 was faster than at pH 6.0 in the second experiment. Calcium and magnesium leaching were greater at the lower pH in both experiments, suggesting that low pH may also be associated with increased leaching of individual elements. Date on ionic inputs to Little Rock Lake from leaves demonstrate the potential importance of leaves as a nutrient source to seepage lakes, or any lakes in which leaf inputs may be significant.
- OSTI ID:
- 6505734
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York); (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York); (United States) Vol. 119:1; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
ACID RAIN
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIRCHES
CALCIUM
CARBON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DECOMPOSITION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
FOREST LITTER
LAKES
LEACHING
LEAVES
MAGNESIUM
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
MAPLES
MASSACHUSETTS
MATERIALS
METALS
MICROCOSMS
MINERAL CYCLING
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
OAKS
PH VALUE
PLANTS
RAIN
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SURFACE WATERS
TREES
USA
WATER CHEMISTRY
WISCONSIN