Cumulative impact of 40 years of industrial sulfur emissions on a forest soil in west-central Alberta (Canada).
The impact of 40 years of sulfur (S) emissions from a sour gas processing plant in Alberta (Canada) on soil development, soil S pools, soil acidification, and stand nutrition at a pine (Pinus contorta x Pinus banksiana) ecosystem was assessed by comparing ecologically analogous areas subjected to different S deposition levels. Sulfur isotope ratios showed that most deposited S was derived from the sour gas processing plant. The soil subjected to the highest S deposition contained 25.9 kmol S ha(-1) (uppermost 60 cm) compared to 12.5 kmol S ha(-1) or less at the analogues receiving low S deposition. The increase in soil S pools was caused by accumulation of organic S in the forest floor and accumulation of inorganic sulfate in the mineral soil. High S inputs resulted in topsoil acidification, depletion of exchangeable soil Ca2+ and Mg2+ pools by 50%, podzolization, and deterioration of N nutrition of the pine trees.
Prietzel
Jörg
J
Technische Universität München, Am Hochanger 2, D-85354 Freising, Germany. prietzel@wzw.tum.de
Mayer
Bernhard
B
Legge
Allan H
AH
D000416:Alberta; D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis; D002617:Chemical Industry; D017753:Ecosystem; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D028223:Pinus; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D012995:Solubility; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis*; D014867:Water
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014867:Water; D013455:Sulfur; D000535:Aluminum; D007501:Iron; D009584:Nitrogen