Effect of simulated acid precipitation on soil microbial activity in a typic quartzipsamment

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6861062

Will, M E; Graetz, D A; Roof, B S

The effects of acid precipitation on microbial and enzyme activities were determined in a field study near Melrose, FL. Three transects of two plots each were irrigated with lake water acidified with 7:3 (v/v) H/sub 2/SO/sub 4//HNO/sub 3/ to pH 3.0 or 3.6, or with unacidified lakewater (pH 4.6, control) at a rate of 10 cm/week for 20 weeks. The experimental plots were divided into covered and uncovered subplots to determine the effect of excluding natural rainfall (pH 4.6). The application of 200 cm of simulated acid precipitation did not significantly influence soil pH, respiration, or arylsulfatase activity. Phosphatase activity decreased under the pH 3.0 treatment and urease activity was stimulated by the pH 3.6 treatment. The amount of N mineralized over a 12-week incubation period was lower in soil from the pH 3.0 treatment than in soil from the pH 3.6 and 4.6 treatments. After the application of 200 cm of simulated acid rain; soil pH, respiration, and phosphatase activity levels were lower in the plots protected from natural rainfall. Twenty-four weeks after the last acid application there were no differences in any of the measured parameters between the pH treatments.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Florida, Gainesville
• OSTI ID: 6861062
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 15:4; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID RAIN
AMIDINASES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
ESTERASES
HYDROLASES
MICROORGANISMS
MINERALIZATION
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NON-PEPTIDE C-N HYDROLASES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PHOSPHATASES
RAIN
RESPIRATION
SIMULATION
SOILS
UREASE