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Chemical and biological relationships relevant to the effect of acid rainfall on the soil-plant system

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Abstract

This paper deals with problems concerning measurements of rainfall acidity and interpretation in terms of possible effects on the soil-plant system.

The theory of acidity relationships of the carbon dioxide-bicarbonate equilibria and its effect on rainfall acidity measurements is given. The relationship of a cation-anion balance model of acidity in rainfall to plant nutrient uptake processes is discussed, along with the relationship of this model to a rainfall acidity model previously proposed in the literature. These considerations lead to the conclusion that average H+ concentration calculated from pH measurements is not a satisfactory method of determining H+ loading from rainfall if the rain is not consistently acid. Calculating loading from H+ minus HCO3 − , strong acid anions minus basic cations, or net titratable acidity is suggested.

The flux of H+ ions in soil systems due to plant uptake processes and sulfur and nitrogen cycling is considered. H+ is produced by oxidation of reduced sulfur and nitrogen compounds mineralized during decomposition of organic matter. Plant uptake processes may result in production of either H+ or OH− ions. Fluxes of H+ from these processes are much greater than rainfall H+ inputs, complicating measurement and interpretation of rainfall effects. The soil acidifying potential due to the oxidation of the NH4 + rainfall is examined, with the conclusion that acidity from this source is of a similar magnitude to direct H+ inputs common in rainfall.

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  1. National Ecological Research Laboratory, National Environmental Research Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 97330, Corvallis, Ore., U.S.A.

    John O. Reuss

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  1. John O. Reuss
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Reuss, J.O. Chemical and biological relationships relevant to the effect of acid rainfall on the soil-plant system. Water Air Soil Pollut 7, 461–478 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285545

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