Abstract
Metal cations were analyzed in bulk precipitation, soil water, and stream flow in a southeastern U.S. lower Coastal Plain pine flatwoods for 6 yr. Extractable ions in mineral soil and total amounts in herbaceous vegetation were also determined. Concentrations for all ions were higher in soil water than in bulk precipitation, but especially Na+ and Mg++. There were smaller concentration differences between soil water and stream flow, except for three-fold higher Ca++ in stream flow. Base saturation in the mineral soil was less than 10%, with Al dominating cation exchange sites. Of all cations, only K showed a significant relationship between exchangeable amounts in the soil and total amounts in herb layer vegetation. Soils in the watershed-ecosystem are experiencing minimal mineral weathering, although this can be spatially quite variable. We conclude that the chemistry of such soils is susceptible to change over several forest harvest rotations and continued acid deposition.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Binkley, D., Driscoll, C.T., Allen, H.L., Schoenberger, P., and McAvoy, D.: 1989, Acidic Deposition and Forest Soils. Springer-Verlag, New York.
Cosby, B.J., Hornberger, G.M., and Galloway, J.N.: 1985, Water Resour. Res. 21, 51.
Gilliam, F.S.: 1983, Effects of fire on components of nutrient dynamics in a lower Coastal Plain watershed ecosystem. Ph.D. diss, Duke Univ. Durham, NC.
Gilliam, F.S.: 1988, Bull. Torren Bot. Club 115, 265.
Gilliam, F.S., and Richter, D.D.: 1985, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 49, 1576.
Gilliam, F.S., and Richter, D.D.: 1988, J. Soil Sci. 39, 209.
Issac, R.A., and Kerber, J.D.: 1971, In Instrumental Methods for Analysis of Soils and Plant Tissue (edited by L.M. Walsh), Soil Sci. Soc. Am., Madison, WI.
Lindberg, S.E., Lovett, G.M., Richter, D.D., and Johnson, J.J.:1986, Science 215, 141.
McLean, E.D.: 1965, In Methods of Soil Analysis (edited by C.A. Black), ASA Inc. Madison, WI.
Mehlich, A.: 1953, N.C. Soil Test Div. Mimeo., Raleigh, NC.
Richter, D.D.: 1980, Prescribed fire: effects on water quality and nutrient cycling in forested watersheds of the Santee Experimental Forest in South Carolina, Ph.D. diss., Duke Univ., Durham, NC.
Richter, D.D.: 1990, In SOS 16, USDA Forest Service (in press).
Richter, D.D., Ralston, C.W., and Harms, W.R.: 1982, Science 196, 161.
Shoulders, E., and Tiarks, A.E.: 1980, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 44, 1085.
Switzer, G.L., and Nelson, L.E.: 1972, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 36, 143.
Thiessen, A.H.: 1911, Mo. Weather Rev. 39, 1082.
Tisdale, S.L., and Nelson, W.L.: 1975, Soil Fertility and Fertilizers. McMillian Publishing Co., New York.
Trewartha, G.T.: 1954, Introduction to Climate. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York.
Turner, R.S., Olson, R.J., and Bradt, C.C.: 1986, ORNL-TM-9917. Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge, TN.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gilliam, F.S., Richter, D.D. Transport of metal cations through a nutrient-poor forest ecosystem. Water Air Soil Pollut 57, 279–287 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00282891
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00282891