SOIL LIMING AND RUNOFF ACIDIFICATION MITIGATION

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Abstract
A measure often taken and frequently discussed in Sweden is to try to restore the runoff quality from acidified watersheds by soil liming. In Scandinavian acidified soils, where the base saturation often is below 20 percent, the dissolution of calcite will proceed without significantly improving runoff water quality until the base saturation is close to 100 percent. The dissolution rate of the calcitic minerals is governed by the particle size of the limestone used. Particles with a diameter over 0.3 mm will be used to a very small extent. As nearly all the runoff percolates through the soil column, a high base saturation is needed to get a stable and long lasting effect on the runoff water. The amounts needed to get a satisfying base saturation are estimated to be 35 to 50 ton/ha. This implies that soil liming is one order of magnitude more costly than standard lake liming techniques for surface water. Although vast efforts may soon be needed in soil and forestry management in Scandinavia, the costs involved in soil liming emphasize the importance of defining the goal of every liming project.

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