Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Compensatory fertilization of Scots pine stands polluted by heavy metals

  • Published:
Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The results from four compensatory fertilization experiments located at different distances (0.5, 2, 4 and 8 km) along a heavy metal deposition gradient extending from the Harjavalta Cu-Ni smelter in SW Finland are presented. The experiments were established in middle-age Scots pine stands growing on dryish sites of sorted glaciofluvial sediments. The soil type in all the experiments is ferric podsol. The treatments in the experiments consisted of liming, a powdered slow-release mineral mixture and stand-specific fertilization which comprised at least methylene urea and ammonium nitrate.

Monitoring of deposition and soil solution and studies on soil chemical and microbiological properties, on the nutrient status of trees and needle litterfall, on fine root dynamics and on the growth of the tree stands were carried out during a 5-year period.

There was a severe shortage of exchangeable Ca and Mg in the organic layer of the most polluted stands. Although the uppermost mineral soil layer had relatively high exchangeable Ca and Mg concentrations, the trees were not able to utilize these nutrient reserves presumably due to the toxic effects of Cu and Ni on the plant roots and mycorrhizas.

The treatments that included limestone markedly decreased the Cu and Ni concentrations in the soil solution and soil organic layer, presumably due to immobilisation through precipitation or absorption. The Ca and Mg concentrations correspondingly increased, which certainly contributed to the partial recovery of fine root and stand growth. The powdered mineral mixture and the combination of methylene urea and ammonium nitrate had no short-term effect on the microbial biomass and activity. All the fertilizer treatments increased volume growth in the most polluted stand. The stand-specific fertilization increased needle mass in heavily polluted stands, but the response of the needle mass to fertilizer treatments was low in the less polluted stands. No clear evidence was found to support the role of nutrient status in tree resistance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aarnio T & Martikainen P (1994) Mineralization of carbon and nitrogen in acid forest soil treated with fast-and slow-release nutrients. Plant Soil 164: 187–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Albrektson A, Aronsson A & Tamm CO (1977) The effect of forest fertilization on primary production and nutrient cycling in the forest ecosystem. Silva Fenn 11(3): 233–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Bååth E (1989) Effects of heavy metals in soil on microbial processes and populations (a review). Water Air Soil Poll 47: 335–379

    Google Scholar 

  • Bååth E & Arnebrant K (1993) Microfungi in coniferous forest soils treated with lime or wood ash. Biol Fertil Soils 15: 91–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Bååth E & Arnebrant K (1994) Growth rate and response of bacterial communities to pH in limed and ash treated forest soils. Soil Biol Biochem 26: 995–1001

    Google Scholar 

  • Bååth E, Frostegård Å & Fritze H (1992) Soil bacterial biomass, activity, phospholipid fatty acid pattern, and pH tolerance in an area polluted with alkaline dust deposition. Appl Env Microbiol 58: 4026–4031

    Google Scholar 

  • Bååth E, Frostegård Å, Pennanen T & Fritze H (1995) Microbial community structure and pH response in relation to soil organic matter quality in wood-ash fertilized, clear-cut or burned coniferous forest soils. Soil Biol Biochem 27: 229–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Baes CF & McLaughlin SB (1987) Trace metal uptake and accumulation in trees as affected by enviromental pollution. In: Hutchinson TC & Meema KM (eds) Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants on Forests. Wetlands and Agricultural Ecosystems. NATO ASI Series. Vol. G 16, pp 307–319. Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker DE & Senft JP (1995) Copper. In: Alloway BJ (ed) Heavy Metals in Soils, pp 179–205. London: Blackie Academic and Professional

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergseth M (1978) Verteilung von Gesamt-Schwefel und Sulfationen verschiedener Bindungsstärke in Norwegischen Waldböden. Acta Agr Scand 28: 313–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Birk EM & Vitousek PM (1986) Nitrogen availability and nitrogen use efficiency in Loblolly pine stands. Ecology 67(1): 69–79

    Google Scholar 

  • BMDP statistical software (1985) University of California Press. 734 p

  • Bradley R, Burt AJ & Read DJ (1982) The biology of mycorrhiza in the Ericaceae. VIII. The role of mycorrhizal infection in heavy metal resistance. New Phytol 91: 197–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Bridgen MR & Hanover JW (1982) Genetic variation in oleoresin physiology of Scotch pine. For Sci 28: 582–589

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant JP, Chapin FS III & Klein DR (1983) Carbon/nutrient balance of boreal plants in relation to vertebrate herbivory. Oikos 40: 357–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin FS III & Kedrowski RA (1983) Seasonal changes in nitrogen and phosphorus fractions and autumn retranslocation in evergreen and deciduous taiga trees. Ecology 64: 376–391

    Google Scholar 

  • Derome JRM & Lindroos A-J (1998) Effects of heavy metal contamination on macronutrient availability and acidification parameters in forest soil in the vicinity of the Harjavalta Cu-Ni smelter, SW Finland. Environ Poll 99(2): 225–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Derome J, Niska K, Lindroos A-J & Välikangas P (1991) Ion-balance monitoring plots and bulk deposition in Lapland during July 1989–June 1990. In: Tikkanen E & Varmola M (eds) Research into Forest Damage Connected with Air Pollution in Finnish Lapland and the Kola Peninsula of the USSR. The Finnish Forest Research Institute. Research Papers 373: 49–76

  • Dixon RK & Buschena CA (1988) Response of ectomycorrhizal Pinus banksiana and Picea glauca to heavy metals in soil. Plant Soil 105: 265–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Finér L (1996) Variation in the amount and quality of litterfall in a Pinus sylvestris L. stand growing on a bog. For Ecol Manage 80: 1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster NW, Beauchamp EG & Corke CT (1985) Immobilization of nitrogen-15-labelled urea in a Jack pine forest floor. Soil Sci Soc Am J 49: 448–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritze H, Pennanen T & Vanhala P (1997) Impact of fertilizers on the humus layer microbial community of Scots pine stands growing along a gradient of heavy metal pollution. In: Insam H & Rangger A (eds) Microbial Communities. Functional Versus Structural Approaches, pp 69–83. Springer-Verlag.

  • Fritze H, Vanhala P, Pietikäinen J & Mälkönen E (1996) Vitality fertilization of Scots pine stands growing along a gradient of heavy metal pollution: short-term effect on microbial biomass and respiration rate of the humus layer. Fresenius J Anal Chem 354: 750–755

    Google Scholar 

  • Frostegård Å, Bååth E & Tunlid A (1993) Shifts in the structure of soil microbial communities in limed forests as revealed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Soil Biol Biochem 25: 723–730

    Google Scholar 

  • Halonen O, Tulkki H & Derome J (1983) Nutrient analysis methods. The Finnish Forest Research Institute. Research Papers 121. 28 p

  • Heinonen J (1994) Koealojen puu-ja puustotunnusten laskentaohjelma KPL. (The KPL programme for estimating plot tree and stand characteristics). The Finnish Forest Research Institute. Research Papers 504. 80 p

  • Helmisaari H-S (1990) Temporal variation in nutrient concentrations of Pinus sylvestris needles. Scand J For Res 5: 177–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmisaari H-S & Janhunen S (1998) Mykorritsat ja raskasmetallit (Mycorrhizas and heavy metals). In: Mälkönen E (ed) Ympäristömuutos Ja Metsien Kunto (Environmental Change and Forest Condition). The Finnish Forest Research Institute. Research Papers 691. p 206

  • Helmisaari H-S, Derome J, Fritze H, Nieminen T, Palmgren K, Salemaa M & Vanha-Majamaa I (1995) Copper in Scots pine forests around a heavy-metal smelter in south-western Finland. Water Air Soil Poll 85: 1727–1732

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmisaari H-S, Makkonen K, Olsson M, Viksna A & Mälkönen E (1999) Fine-root growth, mortality and heavy metal concentrations in limed and fertilized Pinus sylvestris (L.) stands in the vicinity of a Cu-Ni smelter in SW Finland. Plant Soil (in print).

  • Herms DA & Mattson WJ (1992) The dilemma of plants: to grow or defend. Q Rev Biol 67: 283–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Illmer P & Schinner F (1991) Effect of lime and nutrients salts on the microbiological activities of forest soils. Biol Fertil Soils 11: 261–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Jukka L (ed) (1988) Metsänterveysopas. (Forest health guide). Metsätuhot ja niiden torjunta. (Forest damaging agents and their control). Samerka Oy, Helsinki. 168 p

  • Kukkola M & Saramäki J (1983) Growth response in repeatedly fertilized pine and spruce stands on mineral soils. Commun Inst For Fenn 114. 55 p

  • Kytö M, Niemelä P & Annila E (1998) Effects of vitality fertilization on the resin flow and vigour of Scots pine in Finland. For Ecol Manage 102: 121–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Laasasenaho J (1982) Taper curve and volume functions for pine, spruce and birch. Commun Inst For Fenn 108. 74 p

  • Lehto T (1994) Effects of liming and boron fertilization on boron uptake of Picea abies. Plant Soil 163: 55–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Lim MT & Cousens JE (1986) The internal transfer of nutrients in a Scots pine stand 2. The patterns of transfer and the effects of nitrogen availability. Forestry 59(1): 17–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Loomis WE (1932) Growth-differentiation balance vs. carbohydrate-nitrogen ratio. Proc Am Soc Hortic Sci 29: 240–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorio Jr PL & Sommers RA (1986) Evidence of competition for photosynthates between growth processes and oleoresin synthesis in Pinus taeda L. Tree Physiol 2: 301–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorio Jr PL (1986) Growth-differentiation balance: a basis for understanding southern pine beetle-tree interactions. For Ecol Manage 14: 259–273

    Google Scholar 

  • Mälkönen E (1974) Annual primary production and nutrient cycle in some Scots pine stands. Commun Inst For Fenn 84. 5. 85 p

  • Mälkönen E (1991) Neulas-ja maa-analyysien käyttökelpoisuus metsänhoitotoimenpiteiden suunnittelussa. (The role of needle and soil analysis in the planning of silvicultural measures). In: Mikkeli P & Hotanen J-P (eds) Metsänkasvatuksen Perusteet Turve-ja Kivennäismailla. The Finnish Forest Research Institute. Research Papers 383: 52–61

  • Martikainen P, Aarnio T, Taavitsainen V-M, Päivänen L & Salonen K (1989) Mineralization of carbon and nitrogen in soil samples taken from three fertilized pine stands: Long-term effects. Plant Soil 168–169: 523–531

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller HG & Miller JD (1976) Effect of nitrogen supply on net primary production in Corsican pine. J Appl Ecol 13: 249–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller HG, Cooper JM & Miller JD (1976) Effect of nitrogen supply on nutrients in litter fall and crown leaching in a stand of Corsican pine. J Appl Ecol 13: 233–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Mole S (1994) Trade-offs and constraints in plant-herbivore defense theory: a life-history perspective. Oikos 71: 3–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadelhoffer K, Aber JD & Melillo JM (1985) Fine roots, net primary production, and soil nitrogen availability: A new hypothesis. Ecology 66: 1377–1390

    Google Scholar 

  • Nieminen T & Helmisaari H-S (1996) Nutrient retranslocation in the foliage of Pinus sylvestris L. growing along a heavy metal pollution gradient. Tree Physiol 16: 825–831

    Google Scholar 

  • Nohrstedt H-Ö (1992) Soil water chemistry as affected by liming and N fertilization at two Swedish coniferous forest sites. Scand J For 7: 143–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Nohrstedt H-Ö, Arnebrant K, Bååth E & Söderström B (1989) Changes in carbon content, respiration rate, Atp content, and microbial biomass in nitrogen-fertilized pine forest soils in Sweden. Can J For Res 19: 323–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Ojansuu R & Henttonen H (1983) Kuukauden keskilämpötilan, lämpösumman ja sademäärän paikallisten arvojen johtaminen Ilmatieteen laitoksen mittaustiedoista. Summary: Estimation of the local values of monthly mean temperature, effective temperature sum and precipitation sum from the measurements made by the Finnish Meteorological Office. Silva Fenn 17(2): 143–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Pennanen T, Frostegård Å, Fritze H & Bååth E (1996) Phospholipid fatty acid composition and heavy metal tolerance of soil microbial communities along two heavy metal-polluted gradients in coniferous forests. Appl Env Microbiol 62: 420–428

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson T (1988) Effects of acidification and liming on soil biology. In: Andersson F & Persson T (eds) Liming as a Measure to Improve Soil and Tree Condition in Areas Affected by Air Pollution. National Swedish Environment Protection Board. Report 3518: 53–70

  • Persson T, Lundkvist H, Wiren A, Hyvönen R & Wessen B (1989) Effects of acidification and liming on carbon and nitrogen mineralization and soil organisms in mor humus. Water Air Soil Poll 45: 77–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Pietikäinen J & Fritze H (1995) Clear-cutting and prescribed burning in coniferous forest: comparizon of effects on soil fungal and total microbial biomass, respiration activity and nitrification. Soil Biol Biochem 27: 101–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Prietzel J, Mayer B, Krouse HR, Rehfuess KE & Fritz P (1995) Transformation of simulated wet sufate deposition in forest soil assessed by a core experiment using stable sulfur isotopes. Water Air Soil Poll 79: 243–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Puls RW & Bohn HL (1988) Sorption of cadmium, nickel and zinc by kaolinite and montmorillonite suspensions. Soil Sci Soc Amer J 52: 1289–1292

    Google Scholar 

  • Raitio H (1992) Chemical composition of Scots pine needles in the Monchegorsk industrial area (English abstract). The Finnish Forest Research Institute. Research Papers 413: 142–159

  • Raunemaa TA, Hautojärvi J, Salmela R, Erkinjuntti P, Hari P & Kellomäki S (1983) On seasonal variation in the nutrient content of needle litter from Scots pine. Can J For Res 13: 365–371

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosén K & Lundmark-Thelin A (1985) Kemiska förändringar i nederbörden vid passagen av kronskiktet i en mellansvensk blandskog. Summary: Throughfall chemistry in a mixed coniferous forest in Central Sweden. Swed Univ Agric Sci, Dep For Soils, Report 51: 1–16

  • Salemaa M, Vanha-Majamaa I & Derome J (1999). Forest vegetation changes along a heavy-metal pollution gradient in SW Finland. Submitted to J Vege Sci

  • Smolander A, Kurka A, Kitunen V & Mälkönen E (1994) Microbial biomass C and N, and respiratory activity in soil of repeatedly limed and N-and P-fertilized Norway spruce stands. Soil Biol Biochem 26: 957–962

    Google Scholar 

  • Söderström B, Bååth E & Lundgren B (1983) Decrease in soil microbial activity and biomasses owing to nitrogen amendments. Can J Microbiol 29: 1500–1506

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamminen P (1991) Kangasmaan ravinnetunnusten ilmaiseminen ja viljavuuden alueellinen vaihtelu Etelä-Suomessa. Summary: Expression of soil nutrient status and regional variation in soil fertility of forested sites in southern Finland. Folia For 777. 40 p

  • Waring RH, Thies WG & Muscato D (1980) Stem growth per unit leaf area: a measure of tree vigor. For Sci 26: 112–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Winterhalder K (1988) Trigger factors initiating natural revegetation prosesses on barren, acid, metal-toxic soils near Sudbury, Ontario smelters. In: Mine Drainage and Surface Mine Reclamation. Proceedings of a conference held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 19–21, 1988. Volume II: Mine Reclamation, Abandoned Mine Lands and Policy Issues. pp 118–124

  • Viro P (1955) Investigations in forest litter. Commun Inst For Fenn 45.6. 65 p

  • Von Mersi W, Kuhnert-Finkernagel R & Schinner F (1992) The influence of rock powders on microbial activity of three forest soils. Z Planzenernähr Bodenkd 155: 29–33

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vantaa Research Centre, Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 18, FIN-01301, Vantaa, Finland

    Eino Mälkönen, Hannu Fritze, Heljä-Sisko Helmisaari, Mikko Kukkola & Maija Salemaa

  2. Finnish Forest Research Institute, Rovaniemi Research Station, P.O. Box 16, FIN-96301, Rovaniemi, Finland

    John Derome

Authors
  1. Eino Mälkönen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John Derome
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hannu Fritze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Heljä-Sisko Helmisaari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mikko Kukkola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Anna Saarsalmi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Maija Salemaa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eino Mälkönen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mälkönen, E., Derome, J., Fritze, H. et al. Compensatory fertilization of Scots pine stands polluted by heavy metals. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 55, 239–268 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009851326584

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009851326584

Search

Navigation