CHEMICAL CHANGES DUE TO ACID PRECIPITATION IN A LOESS-DERIVED SOIL IN CENTRAL EUROPE

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Abstract
In a stand of Fagus silvatica in the Solling highlands, Federal Republic of Germany, we followed the effect of acid precipitation on chemical soil state and the ion fluxes in the ecosystem between 1966 and 1979. As indicated by increasing aluminum concentration in the soil solution and an increase in organic matter storage in the forest floor, for example, the soil shifted during the measuring period from one state toward another one. During this transition, the acid precipitation has induced soil internal H+ ion production, partly by accumulation of organic matter poor in nitrogen, and partly by a probable change in the type of nitrogen nutrition. Two-thirds of the H+ ion buffering is due to the dissolution of polymeric hydroxoaluminum, resulting in the formation of solid AlOHSO4 and the leaching of Al ions. There are indications that the Al concentration in soil solution reaches toxic levels for the stand. The findings may have serious consequences for forestry in central Europe. In a stand of Fagus silvatica in the Solling highlands, Federal Republic of Germany, we followed the effect of acid precipitation on chemical soil state and the ion fluxes in the ecosystem between 1966 and 1979. As indicated by increasing aluminum concentration in the soil solution and an increase in organic matter storage in the forest floor, for example, the soil shifted during the measuring period from one state toward another one. During this transition, the acid precipitation has induced soil internal H+ ion production, partly by accumulation of organic matter poor in nitrogen, and partly by a probable change in the type of nitrogen nutrition. Two-thirds of the H+ ion buffering is due to the dissolution of polymeric hydroxoaluminum, resulting in the formation of solid AlOHSO4 and the leaching of Al ions. There are indications that the Al concentration in soil solution reaches toxic levels for the stand. The findings may have serious consequences for forestry in central Europe. © Williams & Wilkins 1980. All Rights Reserved.

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