Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Acid rain effects on soil and aquatic microbial processes

  • The Ecological Effects of Acid Deposition Part II
  • Published:
Experientia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Abrahamsen, G., Hovland, J., and Hagvar, S., Effects of artificial acid rain and liming on soil organisms and the decomposition of organic matter, in: Effects of Acid Precipitation on Terrestrial Ecosystems, pp. 341–362. Eds T. C. Hutchinson and M. Havas. Plenum Press, New York 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Alexander, M., Effects of acidity on microorganisms and microbial processes in soil, in: Effects of Acid Precipitation on Terrestrial Ecosystems, pp. 363–374. Eds T. C. Hutchinson and M. Havas. Plenum Press, New York 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Alexander, M., Introduction to Soil Microbiology, 2nd edn. John Wiley and Sons, New York 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Almer, B., Dickson, W., Ekstrom, C., and Hornstrom, E., Sulfur pollution and the aquatic ecosystem, in: Sulfur in the Environment, part II: Ecological Impacts, pp. 271–311. Ed. J. O. Nriagu. John Wiley and Sons, New York 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Anderson, I., Grahan, O., Hultberg, H., and Landner, L., Jamforande undersokning au olika teknider for alterstallande au forsurade sjoar. Institute for Water and Air Research, Stockholm, STU Report 73–3651, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Baath, E., Lundgren, B., and Soderstrom, B., Effect of artificial acid rain on microbial activity and biomass. Bull. envir. Contam. Toxic.23 (1979) 737–740.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Baath, E., Berg, B., Lohm, U., Lundgren, B., Lundkvist, H., Rosswall, T., Soderstrom, B., and Wiren, A., Effects of experimental acidification and liming on soil organisms and decomposition in a Scots pine forest. Pedobiologia20 (1980) 85–100.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Baath, E., Berg, B., Lohm, U., Lundgren, B., Lundkvist, B., Rosswall, T., Soderstrom, B., and Wiren, A., Soil organisms and litter decomposition in a Scots pine forest—effects of experimental acidification, in: Effects of Acid Precipitation on Terrestrial Ecosystems, pp. 375–380. Eds T. C. Hutchinson and M. Havas. Plenum Press, New York 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Baath, E., Lundgren, B., and Soderstrom, B., Fungal populations in podzolic soil experimentally acidified to simulate acid rain. Microb. Ecol.10 (1984) 197–203.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Baker, M. D., Inniss, W. E., Mayfield, C. I., and Wong, P. T. S., Effect of acidification, metals and metalloids on sediment microorganisms. Water Res.17 (1983) 925–930.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Baker, M. D., Inniss, W. E., Mayfield, C. I., and Wong, P. T. S., Effect of pH on the growth and activity of heterotrophic sediment microorganisms. Chemosphere11 (1982) 973–983.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Best, J. A., and Weber, J. B., Disappearance of s-triazines as affected by soil pH using a balance-sheet approach. Weed Sci.22 (1974) 364–373.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Bewley, R. J. F., and Stotzky, G., Degradation of vanillin in soil-clay mixtures treated with simulated acid rain. Soil Sci.137 (1984) 415–418.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Bick, H., and Drews, E. F., Selbstreinigung und Ciliatenbesiedlung in saurem Milieu (Modellversuche) [Self-purification and cilicate communities in an acid milieu (model experiments)]. Hydrobiologia42 (1973) 393–402.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Bitton, G., Volk, B. G., Graetz, D. A., and Byers, G. E., Effects of acid precipitation on soil microbiological and chemical parameters in soils: The Florida experience. Devl Ecol. Envir. Qual. Proc. Int. Meet. A. ecol. Soc. (1983) 177–189.

  16. Bollag, J. M., Drzymala, S., and Kardos, L. T., Biological versus chemical nitrite decomposition in soil. Soil Sci.116 (1973) 44–50.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Boylan, C. W., Schick, M. O., Roberts, D. A., and Singer, R., Microbiological survey of Adirondack lakes with various pH values. Appl. Envir. Microbiol.45 (1983) 1538–1544.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Bremner, J. M., and Shaw, K., Denitrification in soil. II. Factors affecting denitrification. J. Agric. Sci.51 (1958) 40–52.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Bromfield, E. S. P., and Jones, D. G., Studies on acid tolerance ofRhizobium trifoli in culture and soil. J. appl. Bact.48 (1980) 253–264.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Bryant, R. D., Gordy, E. A., and Laishley, E. J., Effects of soil acidification on the soil microflora. Water Air Soil Pollut.11 (1979) 437–445.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Burton, T. M., Stanford, R. M., and Allan, J. W., The effects of acidification on stream biota and organic matter processing, in: Proceedings of the Effects of Acid Precipitation on Ecological Systems. Inst. of Water Research MSU, East Lansing, MI 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Carpenter, J., Odum, W. E., and Mills, A., Leaf litter decomposition in a reservoir affected by acid mine drainage. Oikos41 (1983) 165–172.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Chang, F.-H., and Alexander, M., Effect of simulated acid precipitation on algal fixation of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in forest soils. Envir. Sci. Technol.17 (1983) 11–13.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Chang, F.-H., and Alexander, M., Effect of simulated acid precipitation on growth and nodulation of leguminous plants. Bull. Envir. Contam. Toxic.30 (1983) 379–387.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Dancer, W. S., Peterson, L. A., and Chesters, G., Ammonification and nitrification of N as influenced by soil pH and previous N treatments. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc.37 (1972) 67–69.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Evans, L. S., Lewin, K. F., and Vella, P. A., Effects of nutrient medium pH on symbiotic nitrogen fixation byRhizobium leguminosarum andPisum sativum. Pl. Soil56 (1980) 71–80.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Fjerdingstad, E., and Nilssen, J. P., Bacteriological and hydrological studies on acidic lakes in Southern Norway. Arch. Hydrobiol. Suppl.64 (1982) 443–483.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Focht, D. D., and Martin, J. P., Microbiological and biochemical aspects of semi-acid agricultural soils, in: Agriculture in Semi-Acid Environments. Eds G. Cannell and A. E. Hall. Springer-Verlag, New York 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Focht, D. D., and Verstraete, W., Biochemical ecology of nitrification and denitrification, in: Advances in Microbial Ecology, vol. 1. pp. 135–214. Ed. M. Alexander. Plenum Press, New York 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Francis, A. J., Effects of acidic precipitation and acidity on soil microbial processes. Water Air Soil Pollut.18 (1982) 375–394.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Francis, A. J., Hendrey, G. R., and Quinby, H. L., Allochthonous litter decomposition in three Adirondack lakes. Final Report to EPRI, BNL 34553, May 1983.

  32. Francis, A. J., Olson, D., and Bernatsky, R., Effect of acidity on microbial processes in a forest soil, in: Proceedings of the International Conference on Ecological Impact of Acid Precipitation, pp. 166–167. Eds D. Drabløs and A. bTollan. SNSF-Project, Norway 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Francis, A. J., Olson, D., and Bernatsky, R., Microbial activity in acid and acidified forest soils. BNL 51379, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Francis, A. J., Quinby, H. L., and Hendrey, G. R., Effect of lake pH on microbial decomposition of allochthonous litter, in: Early Biotic Responses to Advancing Lake Acidification, pp. 1–21. Ed. G. R. Hendrey. Butterworth Publishers, Boston 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Friberg, F., Otto, C., and Svensson, B. S., Effects of acidification on the dynamics of allochthonous leaf material and benthic invertebrate communities in running waters, in: Proceedings of the International Conference on Ecological Impact of Acid Precipitation, pp. 304–305. Eds D. Drabløs and A. Tollan. SNSF-Project, Norway 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Gahnstrom, G., Andersson, G., and Fleischer, S., Decomposition and exchange processes in acidified lake sediment, in: Proceedings of the International Conference on Ecological Impact of Acid Precipitation, pp. 306–307. Eds D. Drabløs and A. Tollan. SNSF-Project, Norway 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Grahan, O. J., Hultberg, H., and Landner, L., Oligotrophication—a self-accelerating process in lakes subjected to excessive supply of acid substances. Ambio3 (1974) 93–94.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Griffiths, A. P., and McCormick, L. H., Effects of soil acidity on nodulation ofAlnus glutinosa and viability of Frankia. Pl. Soil79 (1984) 429–434.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Haines, B., and Best, G. R., The influence of an endomycorrhizal symbiosis on nitrogen movement through soil columns under regimes of artificial throughfall and artificial rain, in: Proc. 1st Int. Symp. on Acid Precipitation and the Forest Ecosystem, pp. 951–961. Eds L. S. Dochinger and T. A. Seliga. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-23 1975.

  40. Hall, R. J., Likens, G. F., Fiance, S. B., and Hendrey, G. R., Experimental acidification of a stream in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire. Ecology61 (1980) 976–989.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Hamaker, J. W., Decomposition, quantitative aspects, in: Organic Chemicals in the Soil Environment, pp. 253–340. Eds C. A. Goring and J. W. Hamaker. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Harrison, A. D., The effects of sulphuric acid pollution on the biology of streams in the Transvaal, South Africa. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol.13 (1958) 603–610.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Hendrey, G. R., Effects of low pH on the growth of periphytic algae in artificial stream channels. SNSF-Project, 1432 Aas-NLH, Norway 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Hendrey, G. R., Baalsrud, K., Traaen, T. S., Laake, M., and Raddum, G., Acid precipitation: Some hydrobiological changes. Ambio5 (1976) 224–227.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Hileman, B., Acid deposition. Envir. Sci. Technol.16 (1982) 323A-327A.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Hovland, J., The effect of artificial acid rain on respiration and cellulose activity in Norway spruce needle litter. Soil Biol. Biochem.13 (1981) 23–26.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Hovland, J., Abrahamsen, G., and Ogner, G., Effects of artificial acid rain on decomposition of spruce needles on mobilization and leaching of elements. Pl. Soil56 (1980) 365–378.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Hovland, J., and Ishac, Y. Z., Effects of simulated acid precipitation and liming on nitrification in forest soil. SNSF-Project IR/14, 15 pp., 1975.

  49. Hultberg, H., and Anderson, I. B., Liming of acidified lakes and streams—Induced long-term changes. Water Air Soil Pollut.18 (1982) 5–6.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Ishaque M., and Cornfield, A. H., Evidence for heterotrophic nitrification in an acid Bangladesh soil lacking autotrophic nitrifying organisms. Trop. Agric., Trin.53 (1976) 157–160.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Ishaque, M., Cornfield, A. H., and Cawse, P. A., Effect of gamma irradiation of an acid tea soil from East Pakistan (Bangladesh) on nitrogen mineralization and nitrification during subsequent incubation. Pl. Soil34 (1971) 201–204.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Kelly, C. A., Rudd, J. W. M., Cook, R. B., and Schindler, D. W., The potential importance of bacterial processes in regulating rate of lake acidification. Limnol. Oceanogr.27 (1982) 868–882.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Kelly, C. A., Rudd, J. W. M., Furutani, A., and Schindler, D. W., Effects of lake acidification on rate of organic matter decomposition. Limnol. Oceanogr.29 (1984) 687–694.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Kelly, J. M., and Strickland, R. C., CO2 efflux from deciduous forest litter and soil in response to simulated acid rain treatment. Water Air Soil Pollut.23 (1984) 431–440.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Killham, K., Firestone, M. K., and McColl, J. G., Acid rain and soil microbial activity: Effects and their mechanisms. J. Envir. Qual.12 (1983) 133–137.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Klein, T. M., Kreitinger, J. P., and Alexander, M., Nitrate formation in acid forest soils from the Adirondacks. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.47 (1983) 506–508.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Klein, T. M., Novick, N. J., Kreitinger, J. P., and Alexander, M., Simultaneous inhibition of carbon and nitrogen mineralization in a forest soil by simulated acid precipitation. Bull. Envir. Contam. Toxic.32 (1984) 698–703.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Koskinen, W. C., and Kenney, D. R., Effect of pH on the rate of gaseous products of denitrification in a silt loam soil. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.46 (1982) 1165–1167.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Ladlie, J. S., Meggitt, W. F., and Penner, D., Effect of soil pH on microbial degradation, adsorption, and mobility of metribuzin. Weed Sci.24 (1976) 477–481.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Lake, M., Effects of low pH on some biological processes in natural and artificial lake sediments. SNSF-Project, Norway 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Lee, J. J., and Weber, D. E., Effects of sulfuric acid rain on decomposition rate and chemical element content of hardwood leaf litter. Can. J. Bot.61 (1983) 872–879.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Lohm, U., Effects of experimental acidification on soil organism populations and decomposition, in: Ecological Impact of Acid Precipitation. Eds D. Drabløs and A. Tollan. Norway 1980.

  63. Lohm, U., Larsson, K., and Nommik, H., Acidification and liming of coniferous forest soil: Long-term effects on turnover rates of carbon and nitrogen during an incubation experiment. Soil Biol. Biochem.16 (1984) 343–346.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Lowendorf, H. S., Baya, A. M., and Alexander, M., Survival ofRhizobium in acid soils. Appl. envir. Microbiol.42 (1981) 951–957.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Majumdar, S. K., Mrowca, A. M., Rall, G. F., and Mineo, L. C., Bacteriological survey of two acid-stressed lakes in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Abstr. A. Meeting Am. Soc. Microbiol., N97 1985.

  66. McKinley, V. L., and Vestal, J. R., Effects of acid on litter decomposition in an Arctic lake. Appl. envir. Microbiol.43 (1982) 1188–1195.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Moloney, K. K., Stratton, L. J., and Klein, R. M., Effects of simulated acidic, metal-containing precipitation on coniferous litter decomposition. Can. J. Bot.61 (1983) 3337–3342.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Muller, P., Effects of artificial acidification on the growth of periphyton. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.37 (1980) 355–363.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Munns, D. N., Holtenberg, J. S., Tighetti, T. L., and Lauter, D. J., Soil acidity tolerance of symbiotic and nitrogen-fertilized soybeans. Agron. J.73 (1981) 407–410.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Niese, G., On the abundance of bacteria and other microorganisms. Ecol. Stud.2 (1971) 119–122.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Nihlgård, B., The ammonium hypothesis- and additional explanation to the forest dieback in Europe. Ambio14 (1985) 2–8.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Nommik, H., Investigations on denitrification in soil. Acta agric. scand.6 (1956) 195–288.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Novick, N. J., Klein, T. M., and Alexander, M., Effect of simulated acid precipitation on nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in forest soils. Water Air Soil Pollut.23 (1984) 317–330.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Rao, S. S., and Dutka, B. J., Influence of acid precipitation on bacterial populations in lakes. Hydrobiologia98 (1983) 153–157.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Rao, S. S., Jurkovic, A. A., and Nriagu, J. O., Bacterial activity in sediments of lakes receiving acid precipitation. Envir. Pollut. Ser. A36 (1984) 195–205.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Remacle, J., The role of heterographic nitrification in acid forest soils—preliminary results. Ecol. Bull. (Stockholm)25 (1977) 560–561.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Roberts, T. M., Clark, T. A., Ineson, P., and Gray, T. R., Effects of sulfur deposition on litter decomposition and nutrient leaching in coniferous forest soils, in: Effects of Acid Precipitation on Terrestrial Ecosystems, pp. 381–393. Eds T. C. Hutchinson and M. Hava. Plenum Press, New York 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Runge, M., Investigations of the content and the production of mineral nitrogen in soils. Ecol. Stud.2 (1971) 191–202.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Ruschmeyer, O. R., and Schmidt, E. L., Cellulose decomposition in soil burial beds—II. Cellulolytic activity as influenced by alteration of soil properties. Appl. Microbiol.6 (1958) 115–120.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  80. Scheider, W. A., Adamski, J., and Paylor, M., Reclamation of acidified lakes near Sudbury, Ontario. Ont. Min. Envir. (1975) 129.

  81. Schmidt, E. L., and Ruschmeyer, O. R., Cellulose decomposition in soil burial beds—I. Soil properties in relation to cellulose degradation. Appl. Microbiol.6 (1958) 108–114.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  82. Shriner, D. S., Effects of simulated rain acidified with sulfuric acid on host-parasite interactions. Water Air Soil Pollut.8 (1977) 9–14.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Shriner, D. S., and Johnston, J. W., Effects of simulated acidified rain on nodulation of leguminous plants byRhizobium spp. Envir. expl. Bot.21 (1981) 199–209.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Smith, F. B., and Whitehead, Jr., T., The effect of substituted cations in the soil complex on the decomposition of organic matter. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. Am.5 (1940) 248–253.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Sobotka, A., Einfluss von Immissionen auf die Wurzelbildung mit begrantem Wuchs bei der Fichte. I. U. F. R. O. IXC. Internationale Tagung über die Luftverunreinigung und Forstwirtschaft. 15.–18. Oktober, Marianske Lazne, Tschechoslowakei, Tagungsbericht 1974.

  86. Strayer, R. F., and Alexander, M., Effects of simulated rain on glucose mineralization and some physicochemical properties of forest soils. J. envir. Qual.10 (1981) 460–465.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Strayer, R. F., Lin, C. J., and Alexander, M., Effect of simulated acid rain on nitrification and nitrogen mineralization in forest soils. J. envir. Qual.10 (1981) 547–551.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Tabatabai, M. A., Effect of acid rain on soils. CRC Critical Reviews in Environmental Control15 (1985) 65–110.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Tamm, C. O., Acid precipitation: Biological effects in soil and forest vegetation. Ambio5 (1976) 235–238.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Tamm, C. O., Wiklander, G., and Popovic, B., Effects of application of sulfuric acid on poor pine forests. Water Air Soil Pollut.8 (1977) 75–87.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Tamm, C. O., Wiklander, G. W., and Popovic, B., Effects of application of sulfuric acid to poor pine forest ecosystem. USDA Forest Service General Tech. Rep. NE-23, p. 1011, 1976.

  92. Torstensson, N. T. L., Degradation of 2,4-D and MCPA in soils of low pH, in: Environmental Quality and Safety, pp. 262–265. Eds F. Coulston and F. Korte. Georg Thieme, Stuttgart 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Traaen, T. S., Effects of acidity on decomposition of organic matter in aquatic environments, in: Ecological Impact of Acid Precipitation, pp. 340–341. Eds D. Drabløs and A. Tollan. Oslo, As, Norway 1980.

  94. Wainwright, M., Effect of exposure to atmospheric pollution on microbial activity in soil. Pl. Soil55 (1980) 199–204.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Wainwright, M., Microbial S-oxidation in soils exposed to heavy atmospheric pollution. Soil Biol. Biochem.11 (1979) 95–98.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Walker, N., and Wickramasinghe, K. N., Nitrification and autotrophic nitrifying bacteria in acid tea soils. Soil Biol. Biochem.11 (1979) 231–236.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Wang, C. J. K., Ziobro, R. J., and Setliff, D. L., Effects of acid precipitation on microbial populations of forest litter and soil, in: Actual and Potential Effects of Acid Precipitation on a Forest Ecosystem in the Adirondack Mountains. ERDA-80, pp. 5–1. New York State Energy Research and Develop. Authority, Albany, NY 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  98. Waring, S. A., and Gilliam, J. W., Effect of acidity on nitrate reduction and denitrification in lower Coastal Plain soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.47 (1983) 246–251.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Wassel, R. A., and Mills, A. L., Changes in water and sediment bacterial community structure in a lake receiving acid mine drainage. Microb. Ecol.9 (1983) 155–169.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Weber, D. F., and Gainey, P. L., Relative sensitivity of nitrifying organisms to hydrogen ions in soils and solutions. Soil Sci.94 (1962) 138–145.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. White, J. W., Holbech, F. J., and Jeffries, C. D., Cellulose-decomposing power in relation to reaction of soils. Soil Sci.68 (1949) 229–235.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Wijler, J., and Delwiche, C. C., Investigations on the denitrifying process in soil. Pl. Soil5 (1954) 155–169.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Division, Department of Applied Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, 11973, Long Island, New York, USA

    A. J. Francis

Authors
  1. A. J. Francis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Francis, A.J. Acid rain effects on soil and aquatic microbial processes. Experientia 42, 455–465 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01946683

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01946683

Key words

Search

Navigation