Long term changes in atmospheric N and S throughfall deposition and effects on soil solution chemistry in a Scots pine forest in the Netherlands.
In a Scots pine forest the throughfall deposition and the chemical composition of the soil solution was monitored since 1984. (Inter)national legislation measures led to a reduction of the deposition of nitrogen and sulphur. The deposition of sulphur has decreased by approximately 65%. The total mineral-nitrogen deposition has decreased by ca. 25%, which is mainly due to a reduction in ammonium-N deposition (-40%), since nitrate-N deposition has increased (+50%). The nitrogen concentration in the upper mineral soil solution at 10 cm depth has decreased, leading to an improved nutritional balance, which may result in improved tree vitality. In the drainage water at 90 cm depth the fluxes of NO3(-) and SO4(2-) have decreased, resulting in a reduced leeching of accompanying base cations, thus preserving nutrients in the ecosystem. It may take still several years, however, before this will meet the prerequisite of a sustainable ecosystem.
Boxman
Andries W
AW
Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Ecology, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands. d.boxman@science.ru.nl
Peters
Roy C J H
RC
Roelofs
Jan G M
JG
D015258:Acid Rain; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D009426:Netherlands; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D041605:Pinus sylvestris; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
D015258:Acid Rain; D000393:Air Pollutants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D013455:Sulfur; D009584:Nitrogen