Abstract
Conventional wisdom states that the source of negative charge in organic soil horizons is pH dependent and, therefore, acidification will decrease charge and the ability to retain nutrient cations. Using a variety of methods, we found that the native cation exchange capacity (CEC) of northeastern US forest soils varied with the amount of soil carbon (about 0.5 cmol per %C), independent of field pH. However, individual soil samples exhibited dramatic charge variability if the pH was adjusted during CEC measurement, as much as 20 cmolc kg− per pH unit change. These last two statements appear to be mutually exclusive. Extrapolating from pH-adjusted samples, the point of zero “base” cation capacity was consistently about 1.5 pH units below the native pH. We hypothesize the amount of charge is at a steady state with humification and decomposition processes. Response of soils to long-term acidification may be much different than that of short-term laboratory adjustments.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blume, L.J., Schumacher, B.A., Sjchaffer, P.W., Cappo, K.A., Papp, M.L., Van Remortel, R.D., Coffey, D.S., Johnson, M.G. and Chaloud, D.J.: 1990, EPA/600/4-90/023, USEPA Environ. Monit. Sys. Lab., Las Vegas, NV.
Fernandez, I.J.: 1992, In C. Eagar and M.B. Adams (Eds.), Ecology and decline of red spruce in the eastern United States, Ecological Series V. 96, Springer-Verlag, New York, 40–63.
Gillman, G.P. and Sumpter, E.A.: 1986a, Aust. J. Soil Res, 24, 61–66.
Gillman, G.P. and Sumpter, D.F.: 1986b, Aust. J. Soil Res., 25, 275–285.
Helling, C.S., Chesters, G. and Corey, R.B.: 1964, Soil Sci., 28, 517–526.
Hendershot, W.H. and Duquette, M.: 1986, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 50, 605–608.
Hoyle, M.C.: 1973, U.S. Forest Serv. Res. Pap. NE-260.
Kalisz, P.J.: 1986, Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal., 17, 999–1007.
Kalisz, P.J. and Stone, E.L.: 1980, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 44, 407–413.
Kamprath, E.J. and Welch, C.D.: 1962, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc., 26, 263–265.
Khanna, P.K., Raison, R.J. and Falkner, R.A.: 1986, Aust. J. Soil Res., 24, 67–80.
McLean, E.O. and Owen, E.L.: 1969, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc., 33, 855–858.
Olson, L.C. and Bray, R.H.: 1938, Soil Sci., 45, 483–486.
Pratt, P.F.: 1961, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc., 25, 95–98.
Ross, D.S. and Bartlett, R.J.: 1992, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 56, 1796–1799.
Ross, D.S., Bartlett, R.J. and Magdoff, F.R.: 1991, In R.J. Wright, V.C. Baligar, and R.P. Murrmann (Eds.), Plant-soil interactions at low pH, Kluwer Academic, Dordrecth, The Netherlands, 81–92.
Skyllberg, U.: 1994, Interciencia, 19, 356–365.
Wells, C.G. and Davey, C.B.: 1966, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc., 30, 399–402.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ross, D.S., Bartlett, R.J. Apparent pH independence of charge in forest organic surface soil horizons. Water Air Soil Pollut 85, 1113–1118 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00477130
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00477130