Initial compensation of acidic deposition in forest ecosystems by different rock meals

Abstract

Several experimental series are described to investigate the compensation effects of buffer substances against acid deposition in forest ecosystems. Laboratory tests with different basic buffer substances showed, that their neutralization capacity depend more on the particle size fractions than on the contents of bases. Comparisons of the effects of dolomite, enriched volcanic silicate rock meal and volcanic silicate rock meal as well as dolomite suspensions and coarsely ground dolomite in field experiments confirmed the laboratory tests to a large extent. The following short-term effects were ascertained: (1) the pH in the mineral soil could not be influenced within 2 yr, and (2) the stock of accumulated acids in the mineral soil decreased in dependency on the kind of buffer substance. The results of these experiments show after a short time, that compensation of acid deposition in forest ecosystems by basic buffer substances is justified as soil protection and strongly necessary.