Spatial patterns in elemental concentrations of the forest floor across the North Central USA

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Quality; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1989.00472425001800030022x· OSTI ID:7000154

Grigal, D F ^[1]; Ohmann, L F ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul (USA)
2. North Central Forest Experimental Station, Grand Rapids, MN (USA)

Forest floor material was sampled in 171 forest stands, representing five forest types, across the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Elemental concentrations of forest floor material were related to forest type, and for most elements, concentrations were also related to location defined by five sampling zones along a northwest-southeast geographic gradient. Calcium, Mg, K, Na, and P decreased in concentration from west to east; Pb and Cd increased; Cu and Zn did not differ among zones, and although Ni differed, there was no pattern to those differences. The trends are consistent with atmospheric deposition of Ca, Mg, K, Na, and P from westerly soil-derived sources and deposition of Pb and Cd from eastern anthropogenic sources.

• OSTI ID: 7000154
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality; (USA) Vol. 18:3; ISSN JEVQA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540210* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COPPER
DEPOSITION
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION V
FOREST LITTER
LEAD
MAGNESIUM
MATERIALS
METALS
MICHIGAN
MINNESOTA
NICKEL
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
PHOSPHORUS
POLLUTION SOURCES
POTASSIUM
PRECIPITATION SCAVENGING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SODIUM
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
THROUGHFALL
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
WASHOUT
WISCONSIN
ZINC