"Cation and anion fluxes in northern hardwood throughfall along an acid" by H. O. Liechty, G. D. Mroz et al.
 

Cation and anion fluxes in northern hardwood throughfall along an acidic deposition gradient

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1993

Abstract

Fluxes of H+, SO42-, NO3-, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in throughfall increased along the gradient and were positively correlated with increased atmospheric inputs of H+, SO4 2-, and NO3- measured at the sites. Fluxes of SO42- and NO3- in throughfall were greater than precipitation fluxes, indicating dry deposition in excess of any assimilation of these anions from precipitation. Dry deposition inputs of SO42- increased from the northwestern to southeastern sites and were estimated to range from 23 to 49% of precipitation inputs. Precipitation acidity was neutralized by the canopy in all stands, but the amount of H+ retained by the canopy was significantly greater at sites with the greatest precipitation acidity. Throughfall fluxes of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in excess of precipitation fluxes were positively correlated with the canopy retention and deposition of H+ along the gradient. Increased throughfall fluxes of these cations were consistent with hypothesized increases in canopy leaching of cations with increased acidic deposition. Increased canopy leaching of Ca2+ and Mg2+, resulting from elevated acidic deposition, was estimated to represent as much as 6.2 and 12.9% of foliar contents of these cations, respectively. -from Authors

Publication Title

Canadian Journal of Forest Research

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