Profile distribution and temporal changes of sulphate and nitrate contents and related soil properties under beech and spruce forests

The behaviour of principal inorganic anions in forest soils, originating mainly from acid deposition, strongly influences the forest ecosystem response on acidification. The aim of this study was to describe seasonal and temporal changes of sulphate and nitrate contents and related soil properties under beech and spruce forests in a region heavily impacted by acidification. The Jizera Mountains area (Czech Republic) was chosen as such a representative mountainous soil ecosystem. Soil samples were collected at monthly intervals from April to October during the years 2008–2010 under both beech and spruce stands. Soil samples were collected from surface fermentation (F) and humified (H) organic horizons, humic (A) organo-mineral horizons and subsurface mineral (B) horizons (cambic or spodic). A deionised water extract was applied to unsieved fresh samples and the content of anions in these extracts was determined by ion chromatography (IC).In the studied soil profiles, the lowest amount of SO42 − was found in the organo-mineral A horizons under both types of vegetation. Under spruce the highest amount of SO42 − was determined in mineral spodic (B) horizons, where a strong sorption influence of Fe and Al oxy-hydroxides is expected. Under beech the highest amount was observed in the surface organic F horizons (forest floor). The amount of NO3− is highest in the F horizons and decreases with increasing soil profile depth under both types of vegetation. A significantly higher amount of NO3− was determined in soils under the beech stand compared to spruce. For both soil environments – under beech and also spruce stands – we have determined a general increase of water-extractable SO42 − and NO3− during the whole monitoring period. The behaviour of SO42 − and NO3− in the soils is strongly related to the dynamics of soil organic matter and particularly to the DOC.

► Distribution of sulphate and nitrate in the soil profile
► Sulphate and nitrate in acid forest soil under different vegetation covers
► Soil properties influencing the distribution of inorganic anions.