Declining acidic deposition begins reversal of forest-soil acidification in the Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canada

Published in Environmental Science and Technology 49(22): 13103-13111. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b02904

Decreasing trends in acidic deposition levels over the past several decades have led to partial chemical recovery of surface waters. However, depletion of soil Ca from acidic deposition has slowed surface water recovery and led to the impairment of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Nevertheless, documentation of acidic deposition effects on soils has been limited, and little is known regarding soil responses to ongoing acidic deposition decreases. In this study, resampling of soils in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. was done at 27 sites exposed to reductions in wet SO₄²⁻ deposition of 5.7−76%, over intervals of 8−24 y. Decreases of exchangeable Al in the O horizon and increases in pH in the O and B horizons were seen at most sites. Among all sites, reductions in SO₄²⁻ deposition were positively correlated with ratios (final sampling/initial sampling) of base saturation (P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with exchangeable Al ratios (P < 0.05) in the O horizon. However, base saturation in the B horizon decreased at one-third of the sites, with no increases. These results are unique in showing that the effects of acidic deposition on North American soils have begun to reverse.

Forests

Scientific Article

Ecosystems and Environment, Forestry Research, Forests

Ouimet, Rock

LAWRENCE, Gregory B., Paul W. HAZLETT, Ivan J. FERNANDEZ, Rock OUIMET, Scott W. BAILEY, Walter C. SHORTLE, Kevin T. SMITH and Michael R. ANTIDORMI

2015

PDF available upon request

Available at the Direction de la recherche forestière

écosystèmes et environnement, article scientifique de recherche forestière, ecosystems and environment, Acid rain, Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement, soil recovery, long term monitoring