Beziehung zwischen dem Stickstoff-Entzug der Pflanzen und der Abnahme von spezifisch gebundenem NH4-N im Boden

Relationship between the N uptake of plants and the mobilization of nonexchangeable NH₄-N In a pot experiment with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) the relationship between the release of nonexchangeable NH₄⁺ and the N uptake of plants was studied. For this purpose the surface soil of an alluvial soil and of a grey brown podsolic soil was labelled with ¹⁵NH₄-N. The following results were obtained: After treating the soil with 15-N the alluvial soil contained 4,55 mg and the grey brown podsolic soil 1,64 mg nonexchangeable ¹⁵NH₄-N/100 g soil. In the alluvial soil 72% and in the grey brown podsolic soil 66% of the nonexchangeable ¹⁵NH₄⁺ had been released during the growing season when ryegrass was planted. However, without plants there was no change in the content of labelled nonexchangeable NH₄⁺ in the alluvial soil or only a slight decrease in the grey brown podsolic soil. A highly significant correlation was found between the ¹⁵NH₄-N released and the ¹⁵N uptake of ryegrass in the alluvial soil (r = 0,78⁺⁺⁺) as well as in the grey brown podsolic soil (r = 0,98⁺⁺⁺).     

Der Einfluß des NO3 : NH4 -Verhältnisses in der Nährlösung auf Ertrag und Gehalte an organischen und anorganischen Ionen von Tomatenpflanzen

The influence of the relation between NO₃ and NH₄ in the nutrient solution on yield and organic and inorganic ion contents of tomato plants. . Tomato plants were grown in aerated media of oppositly varying supply of (NH₄)₂SO₄-and NaNO₃ with a constant N-quantity of 15 meq/1 or a quantity of NH₄-, NO₃ or (NO₃ + NH₄) increasing from 3 to 30 meq.N/1. Yield and ion content were determined. A maximum yield was achieved by a mixed N-supply i.e. 4 to 5 parts NO₃, 1 part NH₄-N and 7, 5 meq N/l. The “(C-A) value” was calculated by the content of the cationions “C” (=K⁺ + Na⁺ + Ca⁺⁺ + Mg⁺⁺ + NH₄⁺) and the inorganic anions “A” (= NO₃^? + Cl^? + H₂PO₄^? + SO₄^–). The “(C-A)” value is equivalent to the content of the organic anions. Furthermore we determined the citrate, malate, oxalate, and pektinate content. These make up 60–80% of the (C-A) value. The NO₃- and K content increase considerably, the Ca-, Mg-, Na-, Citrate, Malate and Oxalate content increase less pronounced, the Cl-, H₂PO₄- and SO₄- content decrease as the NO₃ content increases from 0–80%. If the medium contains 80–100% NO₃ - N, the NO₃ and K content remain almost constant, while the Ca-, Mg-, citrate, malate and oxalate content especially increase in this case. The K content decreases in the presence of a high (NH₄)₂SO₄ supply. Parallel to this the value (C-A) decreases greatly, so that it is less than the sum of the determined organic anions. In this case the content of organic anions obviously does not correlate with the (C-A) value. The yield correlates with the carboxylate contents. (C-A) values of 150–170 mval/100 gm. d. m. cause a lowering of the yield. The plants contain an almost equal amount of citrate, malate and oxalate. Depending on the N-concentration of the medium, the malate content will be a bit more than the amount of citrate in case of maximum yield. If there is a lack or toxicity in the medium the citrate content will be higher than the malate content. The yield per dry weight correlates positivly with the quotients of citrate and malate.     

Simultaneous extraction of P and K from IOWA soils with bray 1 solution containing NH4Cl

Abstract

The effects of combining the Bray 1 extracting solution with ammonium chloride (NH₄C1) for simultaneous extraction of P and K were studied in several experiments. For pooled data from the experiments in which the Bray 1 solution containing 0.5 mol L^‐1 NH₄C1 was used, the relationship between the amounts of P and K extracted by the combined solution (P_C and K_C)and the amounts extracted separately by Bray 1 (P_R) and 1 N neutral NH₄OAc (K_R) are given by P_C = 2 + 0.906 P_R, r = 0.988 and K_c = 14 + 1.033 K_R, r = 0.944. Variations were observed in different experiments when the concentration of NH₄C1 and the conditions of the experiment were varied.     

Vorstellung der SrCl2-Methode nach Bach zur Bestimmung der effektiven Kationenaustauschkapazität und Vergleich mit der NH4Cl-Methode

Presentation of the SrCl₂-method after Bach for the determination of the effective cation exchange capacity and comparison with the NH₄Cl-method The SrCl₂-method for the determination of the effective cation exchange capacity CEC_eff has been developed by Dr. H. Bach, a former geochemist of the “Geologisches Landesamt Schleswig-Holstein”. Exchangeable metallic cations in soils are displaced by a 0, 1 M SrCl₂-solution and analyzed from the percolate. Reexchange of strontium by a 0, 1 M MgCl₂-solution allows to determine the CEC_eff by analyzing for strontium in the second percolate. In comparison with the customary application of NH₄Cl, SrCl₂ shows the following advantages:

• 1 The nearly unbuffered SrCl₂-solution adopts instantly the pH of the soil.
• 2 In contrast to the weakly acid NH₄Cl-solution, no H₃O⁺-cations compete with the exchange cation. Furthermore, partial dissolution of clay minerals is prevented because of the near-neutral character of the SrCl₂-solution.
• 3 The SrCl₂-method can be applied on all types of soils including carbonate- and salt-bearing soils.
• 4 The amount of free (dissolved) cations can be approximated.

     

Kinetics of 15NH4 + assimilation in tomato plants: evidence for 15NH4 + assimilation via GDH in tomato roots 1

The kinetics of ¹⁵NH₄ ⁺ assimilation into free amino acids and total reduced nitrogen were monitored in both roots and shoots of two week old tomato seedlings supplied with 5 mM 99% (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ via the aerated root medium in hydroponic culture, in the presence and absence of a 2 h pre‐incubation with 1 mM methionine sulfoximine (MSX). The labeling kinetics of amino acids in roots of tomato plants in the presence of MSX show that continued assimilation of ¹⁵NH₄ ⁺ can occur when the GS/GOGAT cycle is inhibited. In the presence of MSX, three amino acids [glutamate, alanine, and y‐amino butyrate (GABA)] of the root tissue continue to become labeled with ¹⁵N under conditions where labeling of the amino‐N moiety of glutamine is completely inhibited. This indicates primary ammonia assimilation via GDH, or alternatively, assimilation of ammonia into alanine via alanine dehydrogenase. Free ammonia accumulates rapidly in both shoots and roots of tomato in response to MSX. The labeled ammonia accumulated in the roots in the presence of MSX must be largely derived from the medium whereas in shoots this ammonia appears to be derived from catabolism of unlabeled amino acids and proteins. The pools of glutamine, glutamate and alanine after 24 h exposure to ¹⁵NH₄ ⁺ were, on the average, 5‐ to 10‐fold lower in the MSX‐treated than in the control (‐MSX) shoots and roots. In contrast, the pools of valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, threonine, phenylalanine, lysine, and tyrosine increased 5‐ to 10‐fold above the control values in the shoots of MSX‐treated plants, and 2‐ to 4‐fold above control values in the roots of MSX‐treated tomato plants after 24 h. The latter amino acids all exhibited low isotope abundance, and presumably were derived from protein turnover.     

Verhalten von Schwermetallen in Böden. 2. Extraktion mobiler Schwermetalle mittels CaCl2 und NH4NO3

Behaviour of heavy metals in soils. 2. Extraction of mobile heavy metals with CaCl₂ and NH₄NO₃ 156 soil samples from arable fields, grassland and forest stands were analysed for the CaCl₂^? and NH₄NO₃^? extractable contents of Cd, Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb. The average amounts of Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb extracted with CaCl₂ are higher compared with NH₄NO₃ whereas the relation for Mn is vice versa. The proportion of the NH₄NO₃^? extractable contents in percent of the CaCl₂^? extractable contents of Cd, Zn and Pb decrease with increasing pH, whereas the contents of Mn and Cu increase. Inspite of a differing extraction behaviour of the two salt solutions the CaCl₂^? and NH₄NO₃^? extractable amounts of Cd, Mn, Zn und Pb are highly correlated and can be converted one into another. The mobile (CaCl₂, NH₄NO₃) proportion of the corresponding total, EDTA and DTPA heavy metal contents is in close relation to the pH of the soils. Using CaCl₂ solution the threshold pH values for an increasing mobility decrease in the order Cd > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb, using NH₄NO₃ as extractant the order is Mn > Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb. In the case of CaCl₂ as extractant soluble chloro-Cd-complexes will be formed so that the Cd mobility in soils will be overestimated in most cases.     

Soil chemical properties affecting NH4+ sorption in forest soils

Fourteen European forest soils from the boreal to the mediterranean climate on different parent materials were investigated with respect to their ability to store NH₄⁺ in exchangeable form, using sorption isotherms. Distribution coefficients for NH₄⁺ sorption per unit weight of soil were in the range of 0.02 to 0.77. NH₄⁺ sorption coefficients were usually highest in the forest floor of a given soil. NH₄⁺ sorption behaviour of mineral soil horizons was correlated to soil parameters that are determined during routine soil analysis. A combination of CEC and base saturation explained up to 95% of the variability Of NH₄⁺ sorption. In the forest floors, variability in NH₄⁺ sorption could not be explained quantitatively from independent soil parameters. The affinity of the sorption sites for NH₄⁺ was the most important factor for explanation of the variability in NH₄⁺ sorption in the forest floors but was of low importance in mineral soil horizons. As NH₄⁺ exchanges predominantly base cations, susceptibility of NH₄⁺ to transport through the soil profile increases with Iowbase saturation of a soil as well as with low CEC values.     

Nitrat‐Austräge auf intensiv und extensiv beweidetem Grünland,erfasst mittels Saugkerzen‐ und Nmin‐Beprobung II Variabilität der NO3‐ und NH4‐Werte und Aussagegenauigkeit der Messmethoden

Nitrate leaching from intensively and extensively grazed grassland measured with suction cup samplers and sampling of soil mineral‐N II Variability of NO₃ and NH₄ values and degree of accuracy of the measurement methods Data from a grazing experiment — comparison of mean values, see Anger et al. (2002) — were used to estimate within‐field variability to asses the accuracy of two frequently used methods of estimating NO₃ leaching on pastures: (1) the ceramic suction cup sampling (with 34 cups ha^—1 minimum, calculated climatic water balance, 4 leaching periods) and (2) using the soil mineral‐N method (vertical soil NO₃ and NH₄ content in 0—0.9 m (N_min) measured at the beginning and end of two winters on a minimum of 10 different areas of 50 m² each with a minimum of 7 different sample cores). These methods were used on two permanent pastures with high mean stocking density of cattle of 4.9 LU ha^—1 on 1.3 ha with N‐fertilization of 250 kg N ha^—1 (= intensive [I]) and 2.9 LU without N fertilization on a 2.2 ha pasture (= extensive [E]). The results show that NO₃ leaching on pastures was largely due to few selectively extremely high NO₃ amounts under a few excrement spots — mainly urine spots — which would not be sampled representatively with an acceptable effort in a conventional grazing experiment. In both grazing treatments, very large spatial variation occurred. This was greater between the different suction cups than between the compound mineral N samples of each area. Therefore, a marked skewness and kurtosis demonstrated a non‐normal distribution of samples from suction cups, while mineral N values did not show this effect consistently. Sampling selected mostly spots without noticeable influence of excrement, but a few samples with very high values identified evidently urine spots from summer or autumn grazing. The differences in mean coefficient of variation (CV) between the grazing treatments and estimation methods were mainly based on the stocking rate and the density of excrement spots. CV values were 131 % [I] / 242 % [E] for NO₃ leaching measured with suction cup samplers and of 71 % [I] / 116 % [E] for soil NO₃ values and 24 % [I] / 34 % [E] for soil NH₄ values in 0—0.9 m according N_min‐method. Results of the N_min method are obviously inaccurate even with a sampling intensity much greater than 70 cores ha^—1; and so making an estimation of NO₃ leaching by this method is unsatisfactory for pastures. Compared to this, the results of suction cup sampling are more convincing; but even with a tolerated deviation of ± 20 % from the empirically estimated average and with a 95 %‐confidence interval, the calculated mean minimum number of samples in our experiment should be increased to 146 and 265 suction cups ha^—1 for the intensively and extensively grazed treatments, respectively. This requirement would be prohibitive for many field experiments.     

Anthracene influence on (15NH4)2SO4 fertilization of wheat seedlings

The influence of the addition of anthracene (1 μg anthracene g^?1 soil) in N transformations following (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ fertilization (200 mg N g^?1 soil) was investigated in wheat pots by quadrapole mass-spectrometry. The dry matter yield at harvesting (after 16 days) was not statistically affected (P=0.05) by anthracene addition. The total amount of N from the fertilizer taken up by wheat seedings in 16 days was 29 and 26.8% of the added N in the absence and in the presence of anthracene, respectively, but the difference was not significantly different at level P=0.05. In order to investigate more deeply the effect of anthracene on the N cycle in the soil-plant system, the first-order rate constants of N mineralization, N immobilization, nitrification and N plant uptake have been determined according to a ¹⁵N + ¹⁴N soil-plant model. The comparison of the constants showed that organic N mineralization, nitrification and plant uptake proceeded at the same rate, while a small different rate (P=0.05) was shown by N immobilization. In fact, the N immobilization constant increased from 0.14±0.012 to 0.21±0.014 day^?1 as a consequence of anthracene addition.     

NH4-N Removal Through Nitrification and Hydrogenotrophic Denitrification in Simple Attached Growth Reactors

To provide good quality of drinking water, a biological system to remove ammonium-nitrogen (NH₄-N) from groundwater was studied in this research. The NH₄-N removal system consists of two attached growth reactors: one for nitrification and the other for hydrogenotrophic denitrification (H. denitrification). The nitrification reactor, fed by the NH₄-N contained water, could remove NH₄-N without any need of aeration. The nitrification efficiency was increased by reactor length; the highest efficiency of 92?% was achieved at the longest reactor of 100?cm. A high Fe in groundwater affected the reactor performance by decreasing the efficiency, while a low inorganic carbon (IC) had no effects. Despite of good efficiency in terms of NH₄-N removal, the nitrification reactor increased the concentration of NO₃-N in its effluent. To treat the NO₃-N, a H. denitrification reactor was set up after the nitrification reactor. Efficiency of the H. denitrification reactor was enhanced by increasing H₂ flow rates. The efficiencies were 3, 27, and 90?% for 30, 50, and 70?mL/min of H₂ flow rates, respectively. It was also found that the NO₃-N contained water (water from the nitrification reactor) had to supply IC (i.e., NaHCO₃ or CO₂) for efficient H. denitrification; however, an on-site reactor showed that it can be achieved even without IC addition. The treated water contained low NH₄-N and NO₃-N of <1.5 and <11.3?mg/L, respectively, which comply with drinking water standards. The good performance of the reactors in terms of high efficiency, no aeration need, and low H₂ supply indicated appropriateness of the system for groundwater treatment.     

Dynamics of aqueous aluminum species in a podzol affected by experimental MgSO4 and (NH4)2SO4 treatments

Chemistry of aqueous Al in a podzol on a Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) site in the Black Forest (SW Germany) and changes induced by experimental applications of MgSO₄ were studied. Soil solution taken from the O, E and BC horizons were analyzed for the fractions ‘labile monomeric Al’, ‘non-labile monomeric Al’, and ‘acid-reactive Al’. The activities of ‘inorganic monomeric Al’ species and the saturation indices (SI) of the soil solution with respect to Al-bearing minerals were calculated using the equilibrium speciation model WATEQF. On the untreated plot, soil leachates are characterized by Al_tot concentrations of 0.1 mg L^?1 (mineral soil). In the O horizon, the fractions ‘acidsoluble Al’ and ‘non-labile monomeric Al’ (mainly organically complexed Al) together comprise 80% of Al_tot. In the leachates from the mineral soil Al³⁺ prevails, being 50% of Al_tot. Al-F-complexes make up 5 to 10% in all horizons. MgSO₄ and (NH₄)₂SO₄ treatments resulted in an intense Al mobilization up to 50 mg L^?1. In this situation, 60% of Al_tot is covered by Al³⁺ and 40% by non-phytotoxic Al-SO₄-complexes. After rainfall events, mobilized Al is quickly translocated into the subsoil, with water flow through macropores then appearing to be an important mechanism. In both treatments, soil solution chemistry was favorable for the precipitation of the Al(OH)SO₄-type minerals alunite and jurbanite. However, a control of Al solubility by this process is not likely due to kinetic restraints. Application of MgSO₄ was followed by an increase of the Mg/Al molar ratio in the soil solution, whereas the Ca/Al ratio decreased. After treatment with (NH₄)₂SO₄ both the Ca/Al and the Mg/Al ratios deteriorated.     

Molybdänverteilung und -verträglichkeit bei Tomate,Sonnenblume und Bohne

The distribution of molybdenum in tomatoes, sunflowers and beans and their sensitivity towards molybdenum. The influence of increasing levels of molybdenum on the growth, molybdenum uptake and distribution in individual plant organs was investigated in tomatoes, beans and sunflowers in a 9 day trial. With tomatoes, which showed marked damage with high molybdenum levels, the molybdenum content of dry matter was highest in the leaf and lowest in the stem. On the otherhand, beans, insensitive towards the high molybdenum level, dry matter molybdenum content was appreciably higher in the stem than in the leaf. It is supposed that in plant species, insensitive to high molybdenum levels, such as beans, molybdenum preferably accumulates in the vacuoles of the vascular parenchyma. In contrast in tomatoes, sensitive to high molybdenum levels, molybdenum is held less firmly in this tissue and can attain damaging levels in the cytoplasm of the youngest leaf tissue cells. It is supposed, on the basis of the reactions which were carried out with expressed root juice and on the basis of the yellow colouration attainable in vitro in the tissue caused by the addition of molybdate solution, that the yellow colouration appearing in the cells and plant organs of various plant species, here tomatoes and sunflowers, with high molybdenum levels is due to a reaction between molybdenum and polyvalent phenols in cellsap.     

A modified Kjeldahl procedure for determining strongly fixed NH4+-N

This paper reports a procedure for determining the content of strongly fixed NH₄⁺ in soil. The procedure consists of a Kjeldahl digestion followed by an acid attack of the residue with a 5 m HF:1 m HCl solution. Distillations after each of the two treatments recover different forms of NH₄⁺. The procedure was tested on fine earth (< 2 mm) and skeleton (> 2 mm) fractions of two forest soils developed on sandstone parent material. In both soil fractions we evaluated three different forms of NH₄⁺-N: (i) Kjeldahl, (ii) non-exchangeable and (iii) micaceous. The last is located in the interlayer of mica flakes larger than 50 μm that resist the Kjeldahl digestion and is considered strongly fixed. The total NH₄⁺-N content of a soil is obtained by the summation of the Kjeldahl and the micaceous NH₄⁺-N. In the soils under consideration, the micaceous form prevails in the skeleton because this fraction is richer in micas of sand size (> 50 μm). Following the proposed procedure, we found that micas (muscovite and biotite) contain about 3000 mg kg^–1 of NH₄⁺-N in the interlayer. The presence of micaceous NH₄⁺-N in soil is generally ignored because the skeleton is usually excluded from analyses, and the micas larger than 50 μm cannot be dissolved by the Kjeldahl treatments. The micaceous NH₄⁺ is the least extractable form of NH₄⁺-N, and we infer that it is the least available to plants.     

Menge und Verteilung des Stickstoffs in Fulvo-, Humin- und Kieselsäure-Huminsäuren eines Müll-Klärschlamm-Kompostes

Amount and distribution of nitrogen in fulvic-, humic- and silico humic acids from a garbage-sewage sludge compost During the course of composting for 106 days of a mixture of solid wastes and sewage sludge subsamples were taken at different time intervals. They were extracted for fulvic-, humic- and silico-humic acids which in turn were fractionated for different nitrogen fractions. Basic nitrogen fractions such as amino acids (AS), amino sugars (AZ), real amide nitrogen (ADe), pseudo amide nitrogen (ADp), remainder nitrogen of the hydrolysate (RNHY) and total nonhydrolyzable nitrogen (ΣNnhy) have been determined. The most pronounced transformations of nitrogen within the organic matter of the compost took place during the first 10–14 days of composting.     

Aufnahme und Verlagerung von 15N-Stickstoff bei Sommergerste in Abhängigkeit von K-Ernährung und Mehltaubefall

¹⁵N uptake and distribution by spring barley in relation to K nutrition and mildew attack Barley cv. Aramir was grown in complete nutrient solution containing 0,5 (K₁), 1,5 (K₂) and 4,5 mM K (K₃) respectively till maturity. Part of the plants was infected by mildew (Erysiphe graminis), whereas control treatments were kept mildew-free by fungicide sprays. Symptoms of mildew attack were less at K₂ and K₃ and grain yields of infected plants were raised from 98 (K₁) to 160 (K₂) and 165 g/pot (K₃). In control treatments grain yields were 130 (K₁), 164 (K₂) and 163 (K₃) g/pot. During anthesis nitrogen in the nutrient solution was labelled with ¹⁵N for two days and ¹⁵N metablism was studied within 7 consecutive days. The aim of this pulse-chase experiment was to find out, how mildew attack and K nutrition influence N metabolism. The following results were obtained: a) ¹⁵N uptake increased from K₁ to K₂ in infected and healthy plants, though at slightly lower levels in the infected treatments. b) During 7 days after the ¹⁵N pulse up to 17,1% of the ¹⁵N absorbed were translocated into the grains. Better K status as well as spray treatments stimulated nitrogen translocation. c) Mildew attack of leaves does not seem to influence the conversion of grain-¹⁵N into grain proteins. Better K supply stimulates the rate of protein synthesis in the grain. d) In mildew infected leaves relatively more of the ¹⁵N absorbed is incorporated into leaf proteins. But this may be a consequence of slower grain growth, because already 7 days after anthesis infected plants in all K treatments had significantly lower grain yield. In spite of the short duration of the experiment the ¹⁵N data do not indicate that the visible depression of mildew attack by better K nutrition of the crop might inter alia be due to K stimulated defense reactions within N metabolism. This is in agreement with a previous experiment.     

Anfall und chemische Zusammensetzung der städtischen Abwässer von Wolfsburg und Braunschweig

Production and chemical composition of municipal wastewater of Wolfsburg and Braunschweig In two german communities (Wolfsburg 100.000 and Braunschweig 240.000 inhabitants) the production of municipal wastewaters was studied. The elements N, P, S, Cl, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and pH were analysed. The nutrients N, P and S reached high concentrations (mean values 55 and 66, 16 and 18 and 46 mg/l); Na and Cl are considered as high contaminants (mean values 73 and 108 and 142 mg/l); heavy metals yielded low concentrations. Calculations of yearly element output for the villages and each inhabitant were carried out.     

Fluoreszenzmikroskopisch bestimmte mikrobielle Biomasse und deren Beziehung zum Gesamtkohlenstoffgehalt und zur Dehydrogenaseaktivität in ausgewählten Bodenproben

Microbial biomass measured by fluorescence microscopy and its relation to total organic carbon and dehydrogenase activity in selected soil samples Techniques for direct observation of microbial biomass with epifluorescence microscopy, which have proved reliable in aquatic microbiology, were applied for investigation of soils. The procedure for measurement of microbial biomass consisted of ultrasound treatment, filtration with nuclepore-filters, registration of cell-size classes and separate counting of small bacteria. Microbial biomass of an arable A_p (Slu = silty loamy sand) was nearly twice as high with ultrasonication as with untreated samples. In 16 root-free samples removed from different mineral soils, bacterial biomass ranged from 0,22 to 7,50 mg C/g soil, surpassing fungal biomass in general by the factor 2 to 35. Up to 98% of the total organic carbon (C_org) in soil was present in microbial biomass. In uncultivated topsoils dehydrogenase activity was highly correlated with C_org and microbial biomass (n = 7, r_mult. = 0,972, α = 0,001).     

Aluminiumkonzentrationen und -bindungsformen von Bachwässern und wässrigen Bodenextrakten in den Hochlagen des Inneren Bayerischen Waldes

Aluminium concentrations and -species in streamwaters and water extracts at high elevations of the Inner Bavarian Forest During summer half-years 1986–1988 Al concentrations and Al species were recorded periodically for streamwaters of the Inner Bavarian Forest. Furthermore these analyses were carried out once with water extracts of 5 typical high elevation pedons. Total Al of streamwaters is strongly influenced by the hydrological situation. Highest Al concentrations (up to 1,5 mg/l Al) were found during subsurface flow (interflow) events, when inorganic Al species (Allabil) were predominant. In interflow and water extracts of high elevation sites the average molar ratio of Ca/Al_labil is ≧ 0,5 and the average Mg/Al_labil ratio ≧ 0,4. After Ulrich et al. (1984) and Jorns et al. (1985) these values are above the level of serious Al toxicity and thus they might not be the reason of the widespread Mg-deficiency in high elevation stands of Norway spruce. Water extracts of the examined soils have pK values similar to the mineral Jurbanit (AlOH₂SO₄). Thus in these soils a considerable part of Al should exist in this phase. The differing situation in interflow waters can be explained by an incomplete chemical equilibrium.