Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Acidification and nutrient imbalance in forest soils subjected to nitrogen deposition

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia (NH3) from a fertilizer factory and the resulting input of nitrates (NO3 −) and ammonium (NH4 +) into the soil were the main reasons of nitrogen (N) cycle disturbance in forest ecosystems near Novgorod, North-Western Russia (50°31′ North, 31°17′ East). Total N atmospheric input was about 100 kg/ha annually. NH3 was a dominant pollutant, causing the increase of atmospheric precipitation pH within the polluted region compared to background territories (6.0–6.5 and 4.5–5.0, respectively). Soil acidification through NH4 + nitrification was observed. N-NO3 − concentrations in soil solution reached 20–30 mg/l, and proton (H) production was equal to 4.1 keq/ha per warm season (from April to October). Compared with soil status in 1983, pH decrease by 0.2 pH units was found in A horizon. The content of exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) decreased by the factor of 2–3 and 1.5–2 in A and B horizons, respectively. Triple increase of exchangeable aluminium (Al) content was detected in A horizon. Through recent decrease of pollutant emission, the polluted territory is now a suitable subject for recovery studies.

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

  • Bergkvist, B., Folkeson, L.: 1992, “Soil Acidification and Element Fluxes of a Fagus Sylvatica Forest as Influenced by Simulated Nitrogen Deposition”, Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 65, 111–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bormann, F.H., Likens, G.E.: 1979, “Pattern and process in a forested ecosystem”. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houdijk, A.: 1988, “Nitrogen deposition and disturbed nutrient balances in forest ecosystems”. In: Critical loads for sulphur and nitrogen. Eds.: J. Nilsson and P. Grennfelt. Nordic Council of Ministers, 297–305.

  • van Miegroet, H., Cole, D.W., Foster, N.W.:1992, “Nitrogen distribution and cycling”. In: Atmospheric deposition and forest nutrient cycling. Eds.: D.W. Johnson, S.E. Lindberg. Springer-Verlag, New York, 178–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, J. and Grennfelt, P.I. (Eds.): 1988, “Critical Loads for Sulphur and Nitrogen”, Nordic Council of Ministers, Report, Copenhagen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roelofs, J.G.M., Kempers, A.J., Houdijk, A.L.F.M., Jansen, J.: 1985, “The effect of air-borne ammoniun sulphate on Pinus Nigra var. maritima in the Netherlands”. Plant and Soil, 84, no. 1, 45–56.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science, Moscow State University, 119899, Moscow, Russia

    M. I. Makarov & V. V. Kiseleva

Authors
  1. M. I. Makarov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. V. Kiseleva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Makarov, M.I., Kiseleva, V.V. Acidification and nutrient imbalance in forest soils subjected to nitrogen deposition. Water Air Soil Pollut 85, 1137–1142 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00477134

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00477134

Keywords

Search

Navigation