Integrated Nitrogen Modeling in a Boreal Forestry Dominated River Basin: N Fluxes and Retention in Lakes and Peatlands

Two models, N_EXRET and INCA, were applied to the Simojoki river basin (3160 km²) in northern Finland in order to assess nitrogen retention in wetlands and lakes. N_EXRET is a spatial, export coefficient-based N export and retention model developed for large river basins. It utilizes remote sensing-based land use and forest classification, evaluated export coefficients, and data on areal N deposition and point sources of N. A new version (v1.7) of the Integrated Nitrogen in CAtchments model (INCA) is a semi-distributed, dynamic nitrogen process model, which simulates and predicts nitrogen transport and processes within catchments. Average retention of the gross total N load of 700 t a^-1 to the river system was estimated using N_EXRET model as 17 t N a^-1 to the wetlands and 77 t N a^-1 to the lakes. A good fit was found between modeled and measured values along the river. Inorganic N fluxes simulated by the INCA model were compared with measured fluxes along the river Simojoki, with a good fit between modeled and measured NH₄ ⁺-N fluxes, and an adequate fit for NO₃ ^--N fluxes. Both fluxes were overestimated at the first reach, below Lake Simojärvi. High percentage of peatlands led to high NH₄ ⁺-N/NO₃ ^--N ratios derived from data, indicating negligible nitrification in large river subbasins and particularly in small research catchments.     

Nitrogen Turnover and Nitrate Leaching after Bark Beetle Attack in Mountainous Spruce Stands of the Bavarian Forest National Park

More than 85% of the mountainous spruce forest of the Bavarian Forest National Park died after bark beetle attack during the last decade. The elemental budget of intact stands and of different stages after the dieback was investigated. N-fluxes in throughfall of intact stands were lower (12–16 kg ha^-1 a^-1) than in an earlier study in an intact mountainous spruce stand in the Bavarian Forest National Park and were reduced in the first years after the dieback (3–5 kg N ha^-1 a^-1). Nitrate-N fluxes by seepage water of intact stands at 40 cm depth, which is below the main rooting zone, were moderate (5–9 kg ha^-1 a^-1). After the dieback of the stands, NH₄ ⁺ concentrations were increased in humus efflux as were NO₃ ^- concentrations in mineral soil. Due to the relatively high precipitation, dilution of the elemental concentrations in seepage was considerable.Therefore, NO₃ ^- concentrations were usually below the level of drinking water (806 μmol NO₃ ^- L^-1), with lowest concentrations after the snowmelt and highest in autumn. Nitrate concentrations were elevated from the first year until the 7th year after the dieback. Total NO₃ ^--N losses by seepage until the 7th year after the dieback equalled 543 kg N ha^-1. Aluminium fluxesafter the dieback were enhanced in the mineral soil from 55 to 503 mmol_c m^-2 a^-1 (average of 8 yr), K⁺ fluxes from 8 to 37 mmol_c m^-2 a^-1, and Mg²⁺ fluxes from 13 to 35 mmol_c m^-2 a^-1. The consequences for the nutritional status of the ecosystem, the hydrosphere, and forest management are discussed in the paper.     

Fluxes of NO3-, NH4+, NO,NO2, and N2O in an Old Danish Beech Forest

The fluxes of the major nitrogen compounds havebeen investigated in many ecosystem studies over the world.However, only in few studies has attention been drawn to theimportance of the fluxes of minor gaseous nitrogen compoundsto complete the nitrogen cycle. In Denmark a detailed study onthe nitrogen cycle in an old beech forest has been implementedin 1997 at Gyrstinge near Sorø, Zealand. The study includesthe fluxes of the gases NO, N₂O and water mediatedtransport of NO₃ ^- and NH₄ ⁺. Measurementsof the fluxes of the gaseous compounds are performed withmicro-meteorological methods (eddy-correlation and gradient)and with chambers. Water mediated fluxes encompass rain,throughfall, stem-flow and leaching from the root zone. Thehydrological model is verified by TDR measurements. The findings show that the total water mediated N input tothe forest floor with throughfall and stemflow was 25.6 kg Nha^-1 yr ^-1, and open field wet deposition withprecipitation was 19.0 kg N ha^-1 yr ^-1. The internalcycling of N in the ecosystem measured as turnover oflitterfall and plant uptake was 100 kg N ha^-1 yr ^-1and 14 kg N ha^-1 yr ^-1, respectively. The fluxes ofthe gaseous N compounds NO and N₂O were of minorimportance for the total N turnover in the forest, NO_xemission being <1 kg N ha^-1 yr ^-1 and N₂Oemission from the soil being 0.5 kg N ha^-1 yr ^-1 withno significant difference between wet and dry soils.Concentrations of NO₃ ^- and NH₄ ⁺ in thesoil solution beneath the rooting zone are very small andconsequently the N leaching is almost negligible. It isconcluded that the nitrogen mass balance of this old beechforest ecosystem mainly is controlled by the input by dry andwet deposition and a large internal N cycle with a fast litterturnover. The nitrogen input tothe forest ecosystem which currently exceeds the critical loadby 5 kg N ha^-1 yr ^-1is mainly accumulated in the soil and no significant nitrateleaching is occurring.     

The influence of atmospheric n deposition on nitrous oxide and nitric oxide fluxes and soil ammonium and nitrate concentrations

The deposition of atmospheric N to soils provides sources of available N to the nitrifying and denitrifying microbial community and subsequently influences the rate of NO and N₂O emissions from soil. We have investigated the influence of three different sources of enhanced N deposition on NO and N₂O emissions 1) elevated NH₃ deposition to woodlands downwind of poultry and pig farms, 2) increased wet cloud and occult N deposition to upland forest and moorland and 3) enhanced N deposition to trees as NO^? ₃ and NH⁺ ₄ aerosol. Flux measurements of NO and N₂O were made using static chambers in the field or intact and repacked soil cores in the laboratory and determination of N₂O by gas chromatography and of NO by chemiluminescence analysis. Rates of N deposition to our study sites were derived from modelled estimates of N deposition, NH₃ concentrations measured by passive diffusion and inference from measurements of the ²¹⁰Pb inventory of soils under tree canopies compared with open grassland. NO and N₂O emissions and KCl-extractable soil NH⁺ ₄ and NO^? ₃ concentrations all increased with increasing N deposition rate. The extent of increase did not appear to be influenced by the chemical form of the N deposited. Systems dominated by dry-deposited NH₃ downwind of intensive livestock farms or wet-deposited NH⁺ ₄and NO^? ₃ in the upland regions of Britain resulted in approximately the same linear response. Emissions of NO and N₂O from these soils increased with both N deposition and KCl extractable NH⁺ ₄, but the relationship between NH⁺ ₄ and N deposition (ln NH⁺ ₄ = 0.62 ln N_deposition+0.21, r ² = 0.33, n = 43) was more robust than the relationship between N deposition and soil NO and N₂O fluxes.     

Dynamics of Ammonia Exchange in Response to Cutting and Fertilising in an Intensively-Managed Grassland

Continuous micrometorological measurements of ammonia (NH₃)exchange were made for a period of 19 months (May 1998–November 1999) over intensively managed grassland in southern Scotland. This study focused on the influence of management activities, such as cutting and fertilising, on vegetation-atmosphere exchange of NH₃. Measurements were conducted within the European project GRAMINAE (GRassland AMmonia INteractions Across Europe) within which the Scottish site forms one of 6 sites in an E–W transect across Europe. NH₃ emissions were enhanced (up to 300 ng m^-2 s^-1) after cutting followed by larger emissions after fertilising (up to 1400 ng m^-2 s^-1). Annual budget calculations show the intensive grassland acted as a net source (1.8 kg N ha^-1 yr¹) although fluxes were bi-directional with deposition dominating in the winter and emission in the summer. Initial modelling of the NH₃ exchange using a `canopy compensation point' model has been conducted for key periods. The dynamics of the fluxes during these key periods, such as before and after cutting and fertilising, may be reproduced by introducing different values of the apoplastic ratio, = [NH₄ ⁺]/[H⁺].     

Nitrate Leaching From a Mountain Forest Ecosystem with Gleysols Subjected to Experimentally Increased N Deposition

Nitrate leaching was measured over seven years of nitrogen (N) addition in a paired-catchment experiment in Alptal, central Switzerland (altitude: 1200 m, bulk N deposition: 12 kg ha^-1 a^-1). Two forested catchments (1500 m² each) dominated by Picea abies) were delimited by trenches in the Gleysols. NH₄NO₃ was added to one of the catchments using sprinklers. During the first year, the N addition was labelled with ¹⁵N. Additionally, soil N transformationswere studied in replicated plots. Pre-treatment NO₃ ^--N leaching was 4 kg ha^-1 a^-1 from both catchments, and remained between 2.5 and 4.8 kg ha^-1 a^-1 in the control catchment. The first year of treatment induced an additional leaching of 3.1 kg ha^-1, almost 90% of which was labelled with ¹⁵N, indicating that it did not cycle through the large N pools of the ecosystem (soil organic matter and plants). These losses partly correspond to NO₃ ^- from precipitation bypassing the soil due to preferential flow. During rain or snowmelt events, NO₃ ^- concentration peaks as the water table is rising, indicating flushing from the soil. Nitrification occurs temporarily along the water flow paths in the soil and can be the source of NO₃ ^- flushing. Its isotopic signature however, shows that this release mainly affects recently applied N, stored only between runoff events or up to a few weeks. At first, the ecosystem retained 90% of the added N (2/3 in the soil), but NO₃ ^- losses increased from 10 to 30% within 7 yr, indicating that the ecosystem became progressively N saturated.     

A Relaxed Eddy Accumulation System for the Automated Measurement of Atmospheric Ammonia Fluxes

A continuous relaxed eddy accumulation system ispresented for the automated measurement of surface/atmosphere exchange fluxes of atmospheric ammonia (NH₃) at a single height. The new system features sampling by parallel plate denuder inlets, online chemical analysis using the conductivity cell of a commercially available NH₃ analyzer and online flux calculation. The effective detection limit of the system for air concentrations is 0.2 g m^-3 and it is estimated to resolve fluxes > ± 20 ng m^-2 s^-1, depending on the NH₃ concentration and turbulence. The performance of the system was tested in two measurement campaigns above agricultural grassland, in which it was compared with a 3-point continuous gradient system. During the first campaign, after urea application of 47 kg N ha^-1 in autumn, the REA system derived fluxes which were on average twice as large as the gradient fluxes, while concentrations agreed closely (on average within 4%). Possible reasons include differences in the footprint and an over-correction of the gradient flux in stable conditions. Due to wet and cold conditions, only 0.3% of the fertilizer N was volatilized as NH₃ during the first week. Results from the deployment of an improved system are presented for a summer day, 6 days after fertilization with calcium ammonium nitrate. The agreement of both concentrations (on average within 13%) and fluxes (26%) was very encouraging and similar to the agreement found between two state-of-the-art gradient systems with online analysis.     

Nutrients on Asphalt Parking Surfaces in an Urban Environment

Amounts of readily soluble nutrients on asphalt parking lot surfaceswere measured at four locations in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. Using a rainfall simulator, short intense rainfall events were generated to simulate `first flush' runoff. Samples were collected from 0.3 m² sections of asphalt at 8 to 10 sites on each of four parkinglots, during the pre-monsoon season in June-July 1998 and analyzed for dissolved NO₃ ^--N, NH₄ ⁺-N, soluble reactive phosphate (SRP), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Runoff concentrations varied considerably for NO₃ ^--N and NH₄ ⁺-N (between 0.1 and 115.8 mg L^-1) and DOC (26.1 to 295.7 mg L^-1), but less so for SRP (0.1 to 1.0 mg L^-1), representing average surface loadings of 191.3, 532.2, and 1.8 mg m^-2 respectively. Compared with similar data collected from undeveloped desert soil surfaces outside the city, loadings of NO₃ ^--N and NH₄ ⁺-N on asphalt surfaces were greater by factors of 91 and 13, respectively. In contrast, SRP loads showed little difference between asphalt and desert surfaces. Nutrient fluxes in runoff from a storm that occurred shortly after the experiments were used to estimate input-output budgets for 3 of the lots under study. Measured outputs of DOC and SRP were similar to those predicted using rainfall and experimentally determined surface loadings, but for NH₄ ⁺-N and particularly for NO₃ ^--N, estimated rainfall inputs and surface runoff were significantly higher than exports in runoff. This suggests that parking lots may be important sites for nutrient accumulation and temporary storage in arid urban catchments.     

The Influence of Atmospheric N Deposition on Nitrous Oxide and Nitric Oxide Fluxes and Soil Ammonium and Nitrate Concentrations

The deposition of atmospheric N to soils provides sources of available N to the nitrifying and denitrifying microbial community and subsequently influences the rate of NO and N₂O emissions from soil. We have investigated the influence of three different sources of enhanced N deposition on NO and N₂O emissions 1) elevated NH₃ deposition to woodlands downwind of poultry and pig farms, 2) increased wet cloud and occult N deposition to upland forest and moorland and 3) enhanced N deposition to trees as NO ₃ ^– and NH ₄ ⁺ aerosol. Flux measurements of NO and N₂O were made using static chambers in the field or intact and repacked soil cores in the laboratory and determination of N₂O by gas chromatography and of NO by chemiluminescence analysis. Rates of N deposition to our study sites were derived from modelled estimates of N deposition, NH₃ concentrations measured by passive diffusion and inference from measurements of the ²¹⁰Pb inventory of soils under tree canopies compared with open grassland. NO and N₂O emissions and KCl-extractable soil NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ^– concentrations all increased with increasing N deposition rate. The extent of increase did not appear to be influenced by the chemical form of the N deposited. Systems dominated by dry-deposited NH₃ downwind of intensive livestock farms or wet-deposited NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ^– in the upland regions of Britain resulted in approximately the same linear response. Emissions of NO and N₂O from these soils increased with both N deposition and KCl extractable NH ₄ ⁺ , but the relationship between NH ₄ ⁺ and N deposition (ln NH ₄ ⁺ = 0.62 ln N_deposition + 0.21, r ² = 0.33, n = 43) was more robust than the relationship between N deposition and soil NO and N₂O fluxes.     

Winter and Spring Thaw Measurements of N2O,NO and NOx Fluxes using a Micrometeorological Method

The impact of nitrogen fertilizers on gaseous emissions duringwinter and spring-thaw is not well understood and was the objective of this research. Using a micrometeorological method,N₂O, NO and NO_x fluxes from ryegrass were measured from November 1997 to March 1998. Three different mineralfertilizers were applied in November: urea (U), slow-release urea(SRU) and ammonium nitrate (AN). N₂O emissions during the winter were small, increasing significantly in March. Total losses of N₂O-N were significantly higher from SRU and U plots, with winter N₂O emissions accounting for 50% of annual losses. Nitric oxide fluxes from all plots weresmall during the measurement period (<0.9 ng N m^-2 s^-1). The NO fluxes from U and AN fertilized plots were significantly higher than from SRU and control plots. NO₂ fluxes were always negative (–6 ng N m^-2 s^-1)indicating deposition, but decreased to –2 ng N m^-2s^-1 when snow was present on the soil surface. Our resultsindicate that the form of inorganic N applied has an effect on NO+ N₂O emissions but not on NO₂ fluxes.Sponsored by CAPES – Brasília, Brazil     

Early effects of atmospheric ammonia deposition on Calluna vulgaris (L.) hull growing on an ombrotrophic peat bog

This paper reports data from a field study investigating the impacts of elevated ammonia (NH₃) deposition on Calluna vulgaris growing on an ombrotrophic peat bog in S.E. Scotland. Shoot extension, foliar N concentrations, chlorophyll concentration and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured during the second growing season of exposure to a gradient of ammonia concentrations. Results indicate that NH₃ increases growth between 150–200 kg N ha^?1y^?1 cumulative deposition. Foliar N content increased significantly in response to NH₃ cumulative deposition up to 400 kg N ha^?1 y^?1 whereas chlorophyll a content significantly decreased. Measurements of Fv/Fm suggest that although NH₃ exposure altered the growth and reduced chlorophyll a, the efficiency of photosystem II was insensitive to NH₃–N deposition at this stage.     

Critical Loads of Acidity for Forest Soils: Tentative Modifications

We reviewed the current methods for calculatingcritical loads of acidity for forest soils. The consequencesof four sets of assumptions concerning the soil modelstructure, parameter values and the critical loads criterionwere explored by comparing the values of the averageaccumulated exceedance (AAE) calculated for Finland withdeposition values for the year 1995. The AAE index is given inthe unit of deposition and is a measure of how far a region isfrom being protected in terms of fulfilling a certaincriterion, taking into account the size of the ecosystem areas.Using a critical limit for the molar ratio of theconcentrations of base cations to aluminium in soil solutiongave the lowest average accumulated exceedance. Assumingorgano-aluminium complexes and leaching of organic anions gaveAAE = 4 eq ha^-1 a^-1, which was close to the valueobtained with the standard approach used in Finland, assuminggibbsite equilibrium and no leaching of organic anions,yielding AAE = 5 eq ha^-1 a^-1. With a critical basesaturation limit, instead of the concentrations criterion, theAAE index was 17 eq ha^-1 a^-1. The highest averageaccumulated exceedance (AAE = 25 eq ha^-1 a^-1),corresponding to the lowest critical load, was obtained whenthe effects-based criterion (critical concentration or criticalbase saturation) was substituted with one restricting thedeterioration of the neutralizing capacity of the soil, ANC _le(crit) = 0. These tests illustrate the variabilityof the critical load values for acidity that can be introducedby changing the criterion or by varying the calculation method,without, however, representing the extreme values of criticalloads that could be derived.     

A New Diffusion Denuder System for Long-Term,Regional Monitoring of Atmospheric Ammonia and Ammonium

Estimating regional patterns in concentrations of atmosphericammonia (NH₃) gas and ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) in aerosolis essential to assess dry deposition, as well as to test theperformance of long-range transport models. Until now, methods for monitoring NH₃ and NH₄ ⁺ (collectively NH_x) have focused on either passive sampling, which does not sample aerosol NH₄ ⁺, or active sampling techniquessuitable for sampling over several minutes to 24 hr. The classicalactive sampling approach is the diffusion denuder, which typically involves either a complex annular denuder or a long(0.5 m) and fragile glass tube. A new denuder implementationis reported here that has been designed for long-term samplingof NH₃ and NH₄ ⁺. By sampling at just 0.35 L min^-1, the method is suitable for monthly measurementsand uses 0.1 m long glass denuders, which may be sent safelyby the normal postal service to monitoring sites. Two denudersare applied in series to test for adequate NH₃ captureefficiency in each sample, while a subsequent acidified paperfilter collects NH₄ ⁺. The method has been implementedat over 50 sites across the U.K. as part of a new national monitoring network. The detection limit is <0.01 μg m^-3 and the sampling is sufficiently accurate to show theseasonal patterns at different sites. This low-cost method willbe useful to address future trends in NH₃ and NH₄ ⁺, especially in relation to compliance with international agreements to reduce NH₃ emissions.     

Field scale N2O flux measurements from grassland using eddy covariance

In order to assess nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from typical intensively managed grassland in northern Britain fluxes were measured by eddy covariance using tuneable diode laser absorption spectroscopy from June 2002 to June 2003 for a total period of 4000 h. With micrometeorological techniques it is possible to obtain a very detailed picture of the fluxes of N₂O at field scale (10³–10⁴ m²), which are valuable for extrapolation to regional scales. In this paper three of the four fertilizer applications were investigated in detail. N₂O emissions did not always show a clear response. Hourly fluxes were very large immediately after the June 2002 nitrogen fertilizer application, peaking at 2.5 mg N₂O–N m^?2 s^?1. Daily fluxes were averaging about 300 ng N₂O m^?2 s^?1 over the 4 days following fertilizer application. The response of N₂O emissions was less evident after the August fertilization, although 2 days after fertilizer application an hourly maximum flux of 554 ng N₂O–N m^?2 s^?1 was registered. For the rest of August the flux was undetectable. The differences between fertilization events can be explained by different environmental conditions, such as soil temperature and rainfall. A fertiliser-induced N₂O emission was not observed after fertilizer application in March 2003, due to lack of rainfall. The total N₂O flux from June 2002 to June 2003 was 5.5 kg N₂O–N ha^?1y^?1, which is 2.8% of the total annual N fertilizer input.     

Integrated Nitrogen and Flow Modelling (INCA) in a Boreal River Basin Dominated by Forestry: Scenarios of Environmental Change

A new version (v1.7) of the Integrated Nitrogen in CAtchments model(INCA) was applied to the northern boreal Simojoki river basin (3160 km²) in Finland. The INCA model is a semi-distributed, dynamic nitrogen (N) process model which simulates N transport and processes in catchments. The INCA model was applied to model flow and seasonal inorganic N dynamics of the river Simojoki basin over the period 1994–1996, and validated for two more years. Both calibration and validation of the model were successful. The model was able to simulate annual dynamics of inorganic N concentrations in the river. The effects of forest management and atmospheric deposition on inorganic N fluxes to the sea in 2010 were studied. Three scenarios were applied for forestry practices and two for deposition. The effects of forest cutting scenarios and atmospheric deposition scenarios on inorganic N flux to the sea were small. The combination of the maximum technically possible reduction of N deposition and a decrease of 100% in forest cutting and peat mining areas decreased NO₃ ^--N flux by 6.0% and NH₄ ⁺-N flux by 3.1%.     

Early Effects of Atmospheric Ammonia Deposition on Calluna Vulgaris (L.) Hull Growing on an Ombrotrophic Peat Bog

This paper reports data from a field study investigating the impacts of elevated ammonia (NH₃) deposition on Calluna vulgaris growing on an ombrotrophic peat bog in S.E. Scotland. Shoot extension, foliar N concentrations, chlorophyll concentration and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured during the second growing season of exposure to a gradient of ammonia concentrations. Results indicate that NH₃ increases growth between 150–200 kg N ha^–1y^–1 cumulative deposition. Foliar N content increased significantly in response to NH₃ cumulative deposition up to 400 kg N ha^–1 y^–1 whereas chlorophyll a content significantly decreased. Measurements of Fv/Fm suggest that although NH₃ exposure altered the growth and reduced chlorophyll a, the efficiency of photosystem II was insensitive to NH₃-N deposition at this stage.     

Nitrous Oxide in Agricultural Drainage Waters Following Field Fertilisation

Dissolved nitrous oxide (N₂O), nitrate (NO₃ ^-), and ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) concentrations in an agricultural field drain were intensively measured over the period of field nitrogen (N) fertilisation and for several weeks thereafter. Supersaturations of dissolved N₂O were observed in field drain waters throughout the study. On entry to an open drainage ditch, concentrations of dissolved N₂O rapidly decreased and a total N₂O-N emission via this pathway of 13.2 g over the period of study (45 days) was calculated. This compared with a predicted emission of the order of 300 g, based on measured losses of NO₃ ^- and NH₄ ⁺ in the field drainage water, and the default IPCC emission factor of 0.01 kg N₂O-N per kg Nentering rivers and estuaries. In contrast to widespread evidence of a clear relationship between the amount of N applied to agricultural land and subsequent direct N₂O emission from the soil surface, the relationship between the amount of N₂O in soil drainage waters and the amount of N applied was poor. We conclude that the complexity, both spatially and temporally, of the processes ultimately responsible for the amount of N₂O in agricultural drainage waters make a straightforward relationship between N₂O concentration and N application rate unlikely in all but the simplest of systems.     

Topographic Controls of Nitrogen,Sulfur, and Carbon Transport from a Tolerant Hardwood Hillslope

The lateral down-slope movement of water, NO₃ ^-, NH₄ ⁺, SO₄ ^2-, H⁺ and DOC through an ablation till was examined from 1987 to 1990 for a one hectaresoil catena on a steep hillslope with uniform forest cover at the Turkey Lakes Watershed (TLW), Ontario, Canada. Natural variation in the export of nutrients from the soil profile via soil water to Little Turkey Lake was assessed in relation to nutrient distribution in soil at different topographic positions.Subsurface throughflow exhibited dramatic differences in nutrientconcentrations and fluxes with slope position, largely reflectingthat of the soil horizons through which the water passed. GreaterNO₃ ^-, SO₄ ^2-, and DOC concentrations in subsurface water in the upper, well-drained hillslope were a reflection of enrichment by contact with more acidic, more developed podzols, and more favorable soil physical and biological conditions for NO₃ ^- retention in solution.Nutrient inputs to the lake were strongly influenced by increaseddown-slope transport of water, and increased SO₄ ^2-, N, and C retention in wetter, less-developed podzolic soils that characterize lower slope positions. An understanding of water movement and soil development variation withtopographic position was required to accurately estimate nutrient budgets for steep slopes at TLW.     

Controls on leaching of N species in upland moorland catchments

Spatial and temporal changes in mobility of N species have been studied for three UK upland river networks, the Etherow in the South Pennines, the Nether Beck in the Lake District and the Dee in NE Scotland. The catchments are subject to N deposition at 35.1, 22.0 and 10.8–15.6 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively. The NH⁺ ₄ leaching appears to be predominantly regulated by flow path in more polluted upland catchments. It is greatest where water draining acidified peaty soils contributes more to total discharge. Soluble organic matter may provide the dominant counter anion. In the Etherow and Dee catchments, which are dominated by acid mineral and organic soils, at high discharge NO^? ₃ also appears to be associated with greater input of water from acidified soils. In contrast, for the Nether Beck, higher NO^? ₃ concentrations are associated with tributaries draining soils contributing water with higher alkalinity, suggesting nitrification is important. For the Etherow and Dee, dissolved organic N (DON) appears to originate predominantly from acidified, peaty soils. Spiking experiments with peat soil from the Etherow catchment confirmed the limited capacity of these soils to utilize inorganic N inputs, favouring equilibration with NH⁺ ₄ inputs and leaching losses of inorganic N throughout the year.     

Long Term Effects of Acid Irrigation at the Höglwald on Seepage Water Chemistry and Nutrient Cycling

In order to test the hypothesis of aluminium toxicity induced by acid deposition, an experimental acid irrigation was carried out in a mature Norway spruce stand in Southern Germany (Höglwald). The experiment comprised three plots: no irrigation, irrigation (170 mm a^?1), and acid irrigation with diluted sulphuric acid (pH of 2.6–2.8). During the seven years of acid irrigation (1984–1990) water containing 0.43 mol_c m^?2 a^?1 of protons and sulphate was added with a mean pH of 3.2 (throughfall?+?acid irrigation water) compared to 4.9 (throughfall) on both control plots. Most of the additional proton input was consumed in the organic layer and the upper mineral soil. Acid irrigation resulted in a long lasting elevation of sulphate concentrations in the seepage water. Together with sulphate both aluminium and appreciable amounts of base cations were leached from the main rooting zone. The ratio between base cations (Ca?+?Mg?+?K) and aluminium was 0.79 during acid irrigation and 0.92 on the control. Neither tree growth and nutrition nor the pool of exchangeable cations were affected significantly. We conclude that at this site protection mechanisms against aluminium toxicity exist and that additional base cation runoff can still be compensated without further reduction of the supply of exchangeable base cations in the upper mineral soil.