Abstract
Segments of the forest floor (litter and top 5 cm of the mineral soil) collected from two forest soils (one impacted by 25 yr of elevated S input, the other representing background conditions) were placed in 16 × 27 cm plastic boxes, and maintained in a controlled environment while being subjected to various S additions over a 12-wk period to simulate a growing season response time. CO2 evolution, as measured by the soda-lime technique, was used as an index of decomposer organism response to S additions. High-S (0.45 ppm SO2,0.4 g SO4 m−2 wk−1) inputs reduced respiration rates. This rate is equivalent to an annual S input in excess of ∼ 66 kg ha−1 yr−1 Initial S additions at all levels produced a slight stimulation of respiration, but low to moderate inputs produced no lasting effects. However, there does appear to be a threshold level below which the addition of S has a neutral to positive impact on decomposition but beyond which negative impacts on respiration rates will begin to occur. Microcosms taken from the two study sites showed no differences in physical characteristics, respiration rates, or response to simulated growing season S treatments even though one site had been subjected to approximately 25 yr of elevated S input.
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Larkin, R.P., Kelly, J.M. A short-term microcosm evaluation of CO2 evolution from litter and soil as influenced by SO2 AND SO4 additions. Water Air Soil Pollut 37, 273–280 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192940
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192940