Determination of Aluminum, Calcium, and Magnesium in Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, and Red Spruce Foliage and Soil from the Southern and Middle Appalachians

• Published in: Microchemical journal 1997-07, Vol.56 (3), p.382-392
• Main Authors: Bryant, Kristen N., Fowlkes, A.Jason, Mustafa, S.Farhan, O'neil, Brianna J., Osterman, Anne C., Smith, Tara M., Shepard, Michael R., Woosley, Royce S., Butcher, David J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Non agrochemicals pollutants; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Pollution effects and side effects of agrochemicals on crop plants and forest trees. Other anthropogenic factors; Pollution effects. Side effects of agrochemicals
• ISSN: 0026-265X; 1095-9149
• DOI: 10.1006/mchj.1997.1430

Spruce–fir forests form unique ecosystems in the eastern United States and Canada. These forests are composed of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) and red spruce (Picea rubens) in the Southern Appalachians, and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce in the middle and northern Appalachians. Decline of spruce–fir forests has been observed since the 1960s that has been attributed, at least in part, to acidic deposition. Acidic deposition has been reported to decrease the availability of calcium and increase the availability of aluminum and induce decline of red spruce at high elevation sites above 1800 m. Aluminum, calcium, and magnesium were determined in Fraser fir, balsam fir, and red spruce foliage and soil from sites in the southern and middle Appalachians in order to evaluate whether acidic deposition may play a role in the decline of the conifers. Our nutrient studies did not provide any evidence that acidic deposition was affecting the conifers.