The proton cycle of a deciduous forest ecosystem in the Netherlands and its implications for soil acidification

• Published in: Plant and soil 1990-09, Vol.127 (1), p.61-69
• Main Authors: Verstraten, J.M. (Amsterdam Univ. (Netherlands). Lab. of Physical Geography and Soil Science), Dopheide, J.C.R, Duysings, J.J.H.M, Tietema, A, Bouten, W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACID SOILS; Acidity; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; ALUMINIO; ALUMINIUM; Biological and medical sciences; Deciduous forests; ECOLOGIA FORESTAL; ECOLOGIE FORESTIERE; ECOSISTEMA; ECOSYSTEME; ECOSYSTEMS; FITOTOXICIDAD; FOREST ECOLOGY; Forest ecosystems; Forest soils; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General forest ecology; Generalities. Production, biomass. Quality of wood and forest products. General forest ecology; NETHERLANDS; PAISES BAJOS; PAYS BAS; PHYTOTOXICITE; PHYTOTOXICITY; Protons; Soil acidification; Soil ecology; Soil horizons; Soil water; SOL ACIDE; SUELO ACIDO
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00010837

Investigations into the proton cycle of a forest ecosystem in the Netherlands revealed an intermediate rate of soil acidification: 4.5 × 10² keq km⁻² yr⁻¹ of which 2/3 is caused by external proton sources. The high retention of NH₄-N in the biomass is the dominant source of protons. This retention of accounts for 90% of the external and for 59% of the total proton source, while atmospheric input of free acidity only accounts for 4% of total proton production. Next to this, Ca release by weathering is the main proton sink, accounting for 72% to total proton consumption. The proton transfer processes have caused very acid conditions of the upper soil horizons (pH 2.9-3.5) which resulted in the mobilization of aluminium as inorganic monomeric (toxic) Al up to maximum concentrations of 1500 µ mol L⁻¹ (40 mg Al³⁺L⁻¹).