Long-Term Soil Reaction Changes in a Temperate Beech Forest Subject to Past Alkaline Pollution

Abstract

Changes in deposition exert effects on forests. Some evidence for a slow recovery of strongly alkalised forest soils after a reduction in alkaline pollution exists, but the recovery rate is little known. The objective of this study was to estimate temporal soil reaction changes. For this purpose, measurements of soil reaction under a beech forest near magnesite works in Central Slovakia were taken in 1991 and 2006, following the alkaline pollution reduction in 1992. As a result, the mean active soil reaction decreased from pH 7.8 to 6.6. Beyond the range of beech stemflow, which amplifies water and acid pollution inputs into soils locally, soil reaction dropped from pH 7.8 to 6.8. The effect of stemflow on local exchangeable reaction minima was detected even before the pollution reduction. The logarithmic function fitted on the pH data indicates considerable differences between neutralisation rates within and outside the stemflow zone.

Soil microbial characteristics at the monitoring plots on windthrow areas of the Tatra National Park (Slovakia): their assessment as environmental indicators

“…and biological indices (e.g. amount, activity and diversity of soil microorganisms) (Barbercheck et al 2009;Knoepp et al 2000;Pichler et al 2009;Schoenholtz et al 2000;Winding et al 2005). Soil microorganisms respond very quickly to various natural and anthropogenic pressures or stresses acting on the soil ecosystem as they have a high surface-to-volume ratio, so they are capable of a much more intense exchange of matter and energy with their environment (Nielsen and Winding 2002).…”

A Scientometric Analysis and Visualization of Forest Soil Contamination Research from Global Perspectives

“…Cluster #2 of "atmospheric deposition" consists of the following top five keywords: "deposition" (61.27%), "acidification" (9.56%), "nitrogen deposition" (8.33%), "sulfur" (5.15%), and "mineralization" (2.45%). These deposition changes have a significant impact on forests [77]. The global concern of atmospheric deposition contributes to soil acidification and biodiversity changes in forest ecosystems [78].…”

Changes in soil morphology of Podzols affected by alkaline fly ash blown out from the dumping site of an electric power plant

“…Anthropogenic factors strongly modify soil properties; thus, their impacts on chemical, physical and biological properties have been reported widely. The acidification of the soil environment has been described for many locations, while the opposite effect-an increase of soil pH caused by anthropogenic activity-has rarely been studied (Van Breemen et al 1983;Mandre and Ots 1999;Mandre et al 2008;Pichler et al 2009). Alkalisation is a problem frequently associated with the cement industry, limestone quarrying, production of phosphorus compounds and emission of fly ashes.…”

“…Alkalisation is a problem frequently associated with the cement industry, limestone quarrying, production of phosphorus compounds and emission of fly ashes. This problem appears in many areas, sometimes at a massive scale, and may even cover areas of more than several thousands of square kilometres (Haapala et al 1996;Mandre and Ots 1999;Haapala et al 2001;Langer and Gunther 2001;Mandre et al 2008;Pichler et al 2009). One of the major emitters of alkaline ashes, which contain hydroxides and Ca and Mg carbonates (Haynes 2009;Ahmaruzzaman 2010;Ukwattage et al 2013;Yao et al 2014;Weber et al 2015), is lignite-fired power plant.…”