Summary
Soils influenced by acid mine drainage (pH<5.0) are characterized by low concentrations of essential nutrients and increased solubility of heavy metals. The conditions typically reduce plant establishment and growth. However, river birch (Betula nigra L.) is commonly found along low pH streams in southeastern Ohio. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of Al, Mn, Ca and Mg inB. nigra tissues.
The results indicate Al and Mn are accumulating inB. nigra when compared to other species. Within river birch, Al concentrations are highest in roots; Mn concentrations are highest in leaves. There is not a concomitant reduction in Ca and Mg concentrations as suggested by soil levels.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Adams, F. and Lund, S. R. 1966 Soil Sci.101, 193–198.
Berg, W. A. and Vogel, W. G. 1973In Ecology and Reclamation of Devastated Land. Eds. D. A. Hutnik and J. Davids. pp 57–68, Vol.1. Gordon and Beach, N.Y.
Black, C. A. 1968 Soil-Plant Relationships. John Wiley and Son, Inc., N.Y., 792 p.
Clarkson, D. T. 1969In Ecological Aspects of the Mineral Nutrition of Plants. Ed. I. B. Rorison. pp 381–398. Blackwell, London.
Cribben, L. D. and Ungar, I. A. 1974 Biol. Notes8, Ohio Biol. Survey, 37 p.
Cummins, D. G.et al. 1965 USDA, U.S. Central States For. Exp. Stn. Res. Pap.17.
Davies, M. S. 1975 J. Appl. Ecol.12, 953–974.
Ernst, W. 1976In Effects of Air Pollution on Plants. Ed. I. A. Mansfield. pp 115–133. Cambidge Univ. Press, Cambridge.
Foy, C. D. 1974In The Plant Root and Its Environment. Ed. E. W. Carson. pp 601–642. Univ. Virg. Press, Charlottesville.
Foy, C. D. and Brown, J. C. 1964 Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc.28, 27–32.
Foy, C. D. et al. 1965 Agron. J.57, 413–417.
Foy, O. D. et al. 1973 Agron. J.65, 123–126.
Guha, M. M. and Mitchell, R. I. 1965 Plant and Soil23, 323–338.
Gupta, U. C. et al. 1973 Plant and Soil39, 413–421.
Hoyle, M. C. 1972 Plant and Soil36, 229–232.
Koevenig, J. L. 1976 Rhodora78, 420–437.
Limstrom, G. A. 1964 Ohio J. Sci.64, 112–119.
MacLean, A. J. and Dekker, A. J. 1976 Can. J. Soil Sci.56, 27–36.
Magistrad, O. C. 1925 Soil Sci.20, 181–226.
McClelland M. D. and Ungar, I. A. 1970 Castanea35, 99–117.
National Academy of Science 1973 Manganese, N.A.S.: Comm. on Biol. Effects of Atm. Pollu. Washington, D. C., 191 p.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bartuska, A.M., Ungar, I.A. Elemental concentrations in plant tissues as influenced by low pH soils. Plant Soil 55, 157–161 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02149720
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02149720