Some Approaches to the Research of Forest Soils Affected by Acidification in the Czech Republic

Soil acidification in mountainous regions of the Czech Republic presents a serious problem. This paper summarizes several projects dealing with this problem exploiting different methods and having different objectives: 1) Long-term soil and forest development in the Krkonoše Mountains. 2) Soil and forest development along an elevation transect in the Šumava Mountains. 3) Long-term effects of liming. 4) Comparison of soil acidification between three mountainous regions, with emphasis on labile Al content. 5) Spatial distribution and factors of soil acidification and Al release in the Jizera Mountains. The results of these projects showed that acidification in forest soils in the mountainous areas is caused by a combination of different factors, especially by the type of vegetation, atmospheric deposition, parent rock, altitude, and others. A slight improvement of soil properties is apparent after the decrease of immissions in the 1990's.     

Macroinvertebrate Community and Chemistry of the Most Atmospherically Acidified Streams in the Czech Republic

We performed a comparative study of strongly acidified mountain streams covering 10 sites in the Czech Republic in the season 1999/2000. The aim of the study was to determine how acidification influenced macroinvertebrate community structure within a relatively narrow pH range. We focused on strongly acidified, non-humic running waters with low ionic content (pH < 4.6, total organic carbon < 10 mg l^?1, specific conductivity < 100 μS cm^?1) and minimum human influence in the catchment. The actual pH values ranged from 3.98 to 4.65, and concentrations of reactive aluminium ranged from 0.2 to 2.0 mg l^?1. Characteristic macroinvertebrates were the stoneflies Leuctra nigra, Nemurella pictetii, and Protonemura spp.; the chironomids Corynoneura spp.; and the caddisfly Plectrocnemia conspersa – the former two stoneflies formed together 46% of total organisms. The sites were divided into three groups with use of divisive classification. Individual groups reflected similarity in water chemistry, catchment characteristics, and geographical proximity. The largest biotic difference detected by PCA was in the abundance of stoneflies, mainly Diura bicaudata and Leuctra major. The strongest correlation with this gradient was shown by pH (and associated heavy metals), followed by the distance from source. The results show that even in such narrow pH range, the number of taxa is determined by the low pH value and related high concentrations of aluminium and heavy metals.     

Nitrogen Isotopes in Soils and Plants of Tundra Ecosystems in the Khibiny Mountains

Eurasian Soil Science - The isotopic composition of nitrogen in soils and plants may be an indicator of transformation of its compounds and sources of N nutrition of plants. Natural 15N abundance...     

Nitrogen Dynamics in Forest Soils after Municipal Sludge Additions

Nitrogen dynamics were assessed for a forested site in southern New Hampshire during the first and second growing seasons after surface application of an aerobically-digested, limed, liquid municipal sludge. Sludge was applied in June 1989, at 3.3, 6.9, and 14.5 M ha-1 (or 199, 396, and 740 kg TKN ha-1). Elevated net N mineralization (in situ buried bags) occurred in the organic and upper mineral soil horizons during the first two months after sludge application, but was similar to control levels thereafter. Net N mineralization was negligible at 30 and 60 cm soil depths. Foliar N concentration increased with sludge loading rates. Concentrations of NH4+ and NO3- in soil leachate were low, except in early fall when microbial activity was still high and plant demand was low. In trenched subplots where vegetative uptake was eliminated, NO3- concentrations in soil leachate (60 cm) rose to between 15 and 35 mg N L-1 in the first year and remained high in the second year. Other studies reported higher magnitudes of NO3- leaching from treated plots. These studies and the findings reported here shown the characteristics of the sludge being applied to land are at least as important as the physical and chemical characteristics of the site to which they are to be applied.     

Distribution of Sulphur and Heavy Metals in Forest Floor Humus of the Czech Republic

Forest humus, which has a large cation binding capacity (up to 550 meq/100 g), and provides relatively very stable bindings with elements and their compounds, can effectively adsorb elements from atmospheric deposition and retain them overa long period. In order to test the monitoring potential of usingforest humus to retain the recent and long-term accumulated loadsof 14 elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, S, V,and Zn), samples of coniferous forest floor humus (H or O_h horizon) were collected over an area of 78 864 km² using a 20 × 20 km scale grid of sampling points overlaid on theentire territory of the Czech Republic (CZ). Data from 192 pointsand the distribution of the concentrations of individual elementsin forest floor humus are presented here. The extent of relatively very high loading covers 18% of CZ and includes thefollowing four hot spots: an area in the western part of centralBohemia, northwestern Bohemia in the lignite coal mining area, the cross-border area in the Sudeten mountains in northern Bohemia, and the black coal mining area and industrial centre innorthern Moravia. Relatively high, moderate and low loads of theelements were observed in 42, 30, and 28%, respectively, of CZ.Coniferous forest floor humus is evenly spread in the Central European territory and has proved to be a suitable and sensitiveindicator of long-term relative atmospheric deposition loads.     

The Impact of Nitrogen on Forest Soils and Feedbacks on tree Growth

The effects of pollutant nitrogen on forest soils and the potential feedbacks on tree growth are discussed using data from recent plot and catchment manipulation studies. Results indicate that N applied to the soil affects both soil N transformations and base cation status in some forest soils. Whilst reductions in tree growth are infrequently reported, a greater understanding of the effect of increased N deposition on soil N transformations, and associated changes in soil acidification and nutritional balance, is essential if sensitive stands are to identified. In particular, the factors controlling soil N accumulation rates and thus the onset of nitrate leaching are not clearly understood with increased nitrogen availability potentially increasing nitrogen accumulation due to abiotic fixation and lignolytic enzyme suppression, whilst the onset of nitrification as the C/N ratio of forest floor material declines, may reduce N retention efficiency. The switch from increased to decreased tree growth rate in response to N additions in some experiments highlights the need for long-term studies as a necessary component of future research.     

Effects of Chronic Nitrogen Amendments on Production of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nitrogen in Forest Soils

Chronic N deposition has been hypothesized to affect DOC production in forest soils due to the carbon demand exerted by microbial immobilization of inorganic N. We tested this hypothesis in field experiments at the Harvard Forest, Petersham, Massachusetts, USA. During four years of sampling soil solution collected beneath the forest floor in zero-tension lysimeters, we observed little change in DOC concentrations (10-30% increase, not statistically significant) associated with elevated N inputs, but did observe significant increases in DON concentrations. Both DOC and DON varied seasonally with highest concentrations in summer and autumn. Mean DON concentrations increased 200-300 % with the highest rate of inorganic N fertilization, and concentrations of DON were highest in samples with high inorganic N concentrations. We conclude that the organic chemistry of soil solution undergoes qualitative changes as a result of long-term N amendment at this site, with small changes in DOC, large increases in DON, and a decline in the C:N ratio of dissolved organic matter.     

不同施氮量对林地和农田黑土净氮转化速率的影响

用在土壤含水量为田间持水量60%、温度20℃恒定条件下进行室内培养的方法,研究不同NH₄⁺-N施用量(0、40、60、80 mg kg^-1)对林地和农田黑土净氮转化速率的影响。结果表明,在不施氮的条件下林地黑土的净氮矿化速率为负值,表现为对氮的净固定;在施氮条件下林地黑土的净氮矿化速率为正值,表现为对氮的净矿化,且随NH₄⁺-N施用量(0～60 mg kg^-1)的增加而增加,但NH₄⁺-N施用量超过60 mg kg^-1后土壤净氮矿化速率反而稍有降低。施氮对农田土壤氮矿化的影响与林地土壤相反,不施氮的农田土壤净氮矿化速率为正值,施氮后土壤净氮矿化速率为负值,且随NH₄⁺-N施用量(0～80 mg kg^-1)的增加而降低。施用NH₄⁺-N肥显著促进了林地和农田土壤硝化作用,但对农田土壤的...     

戴云山自然保护区森林土壤氮转化特点研究

利用~(15)N稳定同位素成对标记法并结合MCMC数值模型,研究了戴云山国家级自然保护区天然毛竹林(BF)及其邻近黄山松–杉木林(NF)土壤氮素初级转化速率,以评估该地区森林生态系统土壤氮状态,并分析其保氮机制。结果表明:BF土壤NH_4~+-N的总产生速率(以N量计,13.16μg/(g×d))是NF土壤的2倍(6.25μg/(g×d)),其中黏土矿物对NH_4~+-N的解吸作用是BF产生NH_4~+-N的主要过程(55%),而NF主要以有机氮的矿化作用为主(56%)。BF土壤氮素初级矿化速率为5.56μg/(g×d),显著高于NF的3.40μg/(g×d)。土壤氮素初级矿化速率与土壤全氮含量显著正相关(P0.05),而与C/N比表现显著负相关(P0.05)。BF与NF土壤NH_4~+-N总产生量的90%均被土壤微生物的同化作用以及黏土矿物的吸附作用所消耗。两种土壤的硝化作用微弱,BF土壤总硝化速率(以N量计,0.23μg/(g×d))与NF土壤(0.26μg/(g×d))相差不大。两种林地土壤硝化作用均以有机氮的异养硝化为主,自养硝化过程可忽略不计。BF与NF土壤中NO_3~–-N消耗速率均超过了产生速率,表明BF与NF土壤均能有效降低NO_3~–-N的潜在淋失风险,其中BF土壤中NO_3~–-N的消耗以微生物的同化作用为主(58%),而NF土壤以NO_3~–-N异化还原为NH_4~+-N过程为主(68%)。戴云山国家级自然保护区两种亚热带森林土壤的氮转化过程均以NH_4~+-N转化为主,产生的绝大多数NH_4~+-N会迅速通过微生物对NH_4~+-N的同化作用以及黏土矿物对NH_4~+-N的吸附作用固持到有机氮库中;自养硝化过程微弱,使得无机氮主要以NH_4~+-N的形式保存于土壤中,同时酸性土壤环境有效削弱了NH_4~+-N的挥发损失。此外,相对较高的NO_3~–-N微生物同化速率以及异化还原为NH_4~+-N速率,进一步有效降低了NO_3~–-N的淋溶损失以及反硝化作用的气态损失风险,使该地区森林土壤能够在多雨的条件下有效保持氮素,满足植物的生长需求。     

模拟氮沉降对森林土壤酚类物质和可溶性糖含量的影响

采用野外原位试验模拟氮沉降,研究其对福建建瓯万木林自然保护区杉木林(CUL)、浙江桂(CIC)和罗浮栲林(CAF)3种林分土壤多酚、单宁和可溶性糖含量的影响。每个林分设置对照(CK,0 kg/(hm2·a))、低氮(LN,30 kg/(hm2·a))和高氮(HN,100 kg/(hm2·a))3个处理。结果表明:针叶杉木林土壤多酚含量最高,单宁和可溶性糖含量最低,且均与另两个阔叶树种林分差异显著。杉木和罗浮栲林土壤多酚含量随着氮添加量的增加而显著降低,浙江桂多酚受HN处理影响不大,仅LN处理显著降低49.4%。氮沉降主要表现为降低土壤单宁含量,LN处理分别显著降低杉木林、浙江桂和罗浮栲林单宁含量43.5%、70.0%和79.5%;而HN处理仅降低阔叶林土壤单宁含量。然而,氮沉降增加土壤可溶性糖含量,与对照处理相比,LN处理分别显著增加杉木、浙江桂和罗浮栲林土壤可溶性糖48.8%、19.2%和19.8%。各林分凋落物中多酚、单宁和可溶性糖含量受氮沉降的影响不显著。     

Genotoxicity in the Offspring of Rats Exposed to Contaminated and Acidified Experimentally Soils

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic and mutagenic potential of contaminated soil diluted in acidic solutions and not acidic, in the offspring of rats exposed during pregnancy and neonatal periods. To this end, a comet assay and micronucleus test were performed. Soil samples were solubilized in the following three solvents: distilled water (control group), acid solvent at pH 5.2, and acid solvent at pH 3.6. Soil and solvent were mixed in a rate of 1:2 in g/mL, and hydrofluoric acid was used in the acid solvents. In the comet assay, the tail length, percentage of DNA within the tail and tail moment was analyzed in the whole blood of the pups that were studied. The number of micronuclei found in the bone marrow cells was counted in the micronucleus test. In all parameters evaluated in the comet assay, the group exposed to the lowest pH value when associated with contaminated soil (p < 0.05) had the most damage. However, the micronucleus test showed differences between all exposed groups and the control group (p < 0.05). These results reaffirm the health risks related to the exposure to soil contaminants.     

Measurement of in situ Phosphorus Availability in Acidified Soils using Iron-Infused Resin

A hybrid anion resin was tested for in situ phosphorus (P) availability measurement in soils of two stands recovering from acidification and having different P-sorption characteristics. The phosphate (P-PO₄) sorption capacity of the resin (before saturation) was 48 µmol g^?1. Sorption and elution were tested under P-PO₄ concentrations common in acidic soils (0–0.42 mmol l^?1) either with or without the presence of sulfate (0.2 mmol l^?1). The efficiency of P-PO₄ sorption was independent of the sulfate and was 100 ± 0.2% (n = 56, ± SD). The P-PO₄ recovery stabilized after six elution steps (each: 50 ml of 0.5 M sodium hydroxide, resin/solution 5:1). The efficiency of P-PO₄ recovery was 80 ± 7% and was used to evaluate field measurements. We determined the amount of P-PO₄ in the field using resin bags in three consecutive years. The results indicate that bioavailable P is negatively related to the soil ability to retain P.     

Trends in Sulphur and Nitrogen Deposition Fluxes in the GEOMON Network, Czech Republic, between 1994 and 2000

Deposition fluxes of sulphur and nitrogen in bulk and throughfall precipitation were monitored for the 1994–2000 period for seven small forest catchments in the GEOMON network, Czech Republic (CR). Four catchments are situated at similar elevations (roughly between 800 and 1000 m) and represent three areas: the Black Triangle near the Kru?né hory Mts. coalfield (catchments JEZ and LYS), the Orlické hory Mts., close to the Polish industrial regions (UDL), and the ?umava Mts., a relatively unpolluted area (LIZ). Three catments (GEM, POM, LES) lie at lower elevations (400–600 m) in Central Bohemia. A substantial decrease in the bulk and throughfall deposition of pollutants occurred as a result of the desulphurisation programme implemented in the Czech Republic between 1996 and 1998. A reduction has been described mainly in the Kru?né hory Mts. (JEZ), in Slavkovský les (LYS) and also in Central Bohemia (GEM). The decrease in the throughfall to less than one half within a single year in POM (Central Bohemia) was an example of a direct response to the local emission reduction in the nearby Chvaletice power plant. However, in some areas, the throughfall deposition of sulphur, which includes wet and dry deposition, is still significant, especially at higher elevations. Recent forest degradation was observed in the Orlické hory Mts., where, particularly in 1998, as much as 91.1 kg S was found in coniferous throughfall. The fraction of dry deposition in the coniferous forests of CR represents 30–70% of the total deposition. The difference between coniferous (higher) and deciduous (lower) throughfall fluxes is significant because of the larger surface area of conifers and year-round exposure to air-borne sulphur. At several of the GEOMON sites, the flux of nitrogen via throughfall increased during the observation period and, at the end of the studied period (2000), nitrogen became the main source of acidification, replacing sulphur compounds. The highest fluxes (81.7 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1)were measured in 2000 in the Orlické hory Mts., which provide an example of multiple causes of forest decline – the direct impact of air pollution, abundance of nitrogen, acidification and secondary stressors (weather changes, insect pests, fungal infections). A comparison is given with data from other countries.     

Beryllium Chemistry in the Lysina Catchment,Czech Republic

The environmental chemistry of beryllium (Be) was investigated at the Lysina catchment in western Bohemia, Czech Republic, a forest ecosystem with high loadings of acidic atmospheric deposition. The catchment supports Norway spruce plantations; it is underlain by leucogranite and the soils are Spodosols. Average concentrations of Be were high in groundwater (3.3 µg L-1) and in stream water (1.5 µg L-1), in comparison to the drinking water standard of the Czech Republic (0.2 µg L-1). Chemical equilibrium calculations suggest that aquoberyllium Be2+ was the prevailing inorganic species in drainage waters at the site. Atmospheric deposition of Be (45 µg m-2 yr-1) was small in comparison to drainage outflow (586 µg m-2 yr-1) at Lysina. Elevated Be concentrations in drainage water appear to be the result of the mobilization of Be from soils and weathered bedrock due to acidic atmospheric deposition. Increased mobility of Be due to acidification may have serious ecological consequences in acid-sensitive areas with terrestrial pools of available Be.     

酸化沸石对尿素氮淋失和玉米籽粒氮素利用的影响

在尿素减量施用条件下,探究添加酸化沸石(SF)对氮素淋失及籽粒氮肥利用率的影响.通过等温吸附试验,结合土柱淋溶和玉米盆栽试验,研究酸化沸石对NH4+—N和NO3-—N的吸附性能,以及不同施氮梯度下,酸化沸石对氮素淋失和氮肥利用率的影响,试验分别设置农民习惯施肥(CN)、氮肥减量15％(CN1)、氮肥减量30％(CN2)...     

氮磷富集对森林土壤碳截存的影响研究进展

大气氮磷沉降增加森林土壤养分的可利用性,改变底物的化学质量、土壤微生物组成和功能,进而影响土壤有机质的储量与稳定性。然而,现有研究主要集中在氮素富集对自然森林生态系统碳截存的影响,有关磷富集以及氮磷交互对人工林土壤有机碳(SOC)截存的影响及其微生物学机制尚不清楚。本文综述了氮磷富集对森林土壤碳转化和净交换通量、土壤有机质(SOM)的激发效应、SOM组成与稳定性以及介导碳转化功能微生物群落的影响,并指出各个研究环节的不足,包括:(1)森林土壤碳通量及其组分对氮磷富集的非线性响应方程及临界阈值尚未确定;(2)氮磷富集对森林SOM激发效应的影响程度与潜在机制知之甚少;(3)SOM的物理-化学协同稳定机制研究不够深入;(4)土壤活性微生物群落组成、SOM化学结构与SOC累积之间的耦联关系尚不清晰。据此,指出未来研究重点与研究思路:基于多水平氮磷添加控制试验和~(13)C标记培养实验,利用原位监测、土壤化学(~(13)C-NMR和Py-GC/MS)、宏基因组测序的分子生物学方法,重点研究氮磷添加及其交互作用对人工林土壤碳排放与流失通量、微生物激发效应、SOM组成与化学稳定性以及功能微生物群落组成的影响,确定土壤碳输出通量对氮磷添加的非线性响应方程与氮沉降临界负荷,阐明分解微生物群落组成与土壤碳转化及稳定性的耦联关系,揭示氮磷交互影响人工林土壤碳积累与损耗的微生物学机制。研究结果有助于控制森林尤其是人工林土壤碳损失,有效降低陆地"氮促碳汇"评估的不确定性,并可为森林生态系统应对全球变化提供科学依据。     

氮输入对森林土壤有机碳截存与损耗过程的影响

大气氮沉降对受氮限制的陆地生态系统碳截存/损耗的机理尚不清楚,尤其是对土壤有机碳(SOC)的输入、转化和输出过程的认识明显不足。本文论述了外源性氮素(氮沉降、人为增氮)对凋落物分解、土壤有机碳各组分周转的影响,以及土壤呼吸各组分(根系自养呼吸、根际微生物呼吸和SOM分解)对增氮的响应等领域的最新研究进展,指出了在上述研究领域中存在的问题,并提出拟解决的途径以及未来的可能研究方向,以期为该领域的研究提供参考。     

Manganese Biogeochemistry in a Central Czech Republic Catchment

Mn biogeochemistry was studied from 1994 to 2003 in a small forested catchment in the central Czech Republic using the watershed mass balance approach together with measurements of internal stores and fluxes. Mn inputs in bulk deposition were relatively constant during a period of sharply decreasing acidic deposition, suggesting that the Mn source was terrestrial, and not from fossil fuel combustion. Mn inputs in bulk deposition and Mn supplied by weathering each averaged 13 mg m^?2 year^?1 (26 mg m^?2 year^?1 total input), whereas Mn export in streamwater and groundwater averaged 43 mg m^?2 year^?1. Thus an additional Mn source is needed to account for 17 mg m^?2 year^?1. Internal fluxes and pools of Mn were significantly greater than annual inputs and outputs. Throughfall Mn flux was 70 mg m^?2 year^?1, litterfall Mn flux was 103 mg m^?2 year^?1, and Mn net uptake by vegetation was 62 mg m^?2 year^?1. Large pools of labile or potentially labile Mn were present in biomass and surficial soil horizons. Small leakages from these large pools likely supply the additional Mn needed to close the watershed mass balance. This leakage may reflect an adjustment of the ecosystem to recent changes in atmospheric acidity.     

Effects of Simulated Acid Mist on a Sitka Spruce Forest Approaching Canopy Closure: Significance of Acidified Versus Non-Acidified Nitrogen Inputs

Effects of enhanced N, S and NS Acid additions, up to approximately 100 kg N and S ha^?1 y^?1, are described for a 15-year-old Sitka spruce forest growing on an acid peat in Scotland. Groups of 10 trees, replicated over 4 blocks, have been treated at canopy height on approximately 50 or 100 occasions with 2 mm precipitation equivalent, between April and November, since 1996. Relative stem volume increment (RSVI) has been consistently higher in the NS Acid treated trees compared with control or N treated trees since the second year of treatment, although no dose response was found. Litterfall was also considerably increased in the NS Acid treatments and showed a clear dose effect but was not correlated with RSVI. Base cation concentrations in soil waters, collected using zero tension lysimeters reflected the presence or absence of the spray treatments and showed a dose related increase in response to NS Acid inputs. Treatment with 2NS Acid increased NH₄-N and NO₃-N by an order of magnitude. Results after 4 years of treatment showed a positive growth and litterfall response to NS Acid inputs but no effect of N alone. Enhanced stemwood growth may be linked to the higher base cation and phosphate concentrations measured in the soil water in the presence of NS Acid and S treatments.     

Growth and Production of Aquatic Mosses in Acidified Lakes of Karelia Republic,Russia

Three small acidified lakes (pH of water 5.3–5.9) in Karelia Republic, northwestern Russia, were studied in respect to speciescomposition, phytomass, and morphometric characteristics of aquatic mosses in their dense carpet. The dense moss carpet inlake L1 (mainly, Sphagnum denticulatum Bird.) occurred at a depth of 5.0–7.5 m and covered about 50% of the bottom area. The monospecific moss carpets occurred in lake L2 (Warnstorfia exannulata s. lato) and lake L3 (Fontinalishypnoides Hartm.) at depths of 5.0–7.0 m and 4.5–5.5 m and covered 20 and 13% of the bottom, respectively. The moss phytomass was 43–53 g air-dry mass m^-2 in the lake L2 andlake L3, while it was much higher in lake L1 – 293 g m^-2.Seasonal changes in shoot morphology of S. denticulatum,W. exannulata s. lato and in size and density of leavesalong the shoot axis of F. hypnoides allowed to reconstructthe annual growth and to estimate of growth rates of the mossesin their natural habitat within dense carpet. The absolutely netproduction of the mosses was estimated on the basis of thesedata. In two lakes (L2 and L3), the annual means of absolutelynet production of the aquatic mosses were 32–41 g air-dry massm^-2 yr ^-1, while in the third lake (L1) they weremarkedly higher – 157 g m^-2. The obtained results andcharacteristics of aquatic mosses are compared with those formosses in acidified Lake Grane Langsø in Denmark.