Hydrochemie von Waldquellen des Fichtelgebirges

The hydrochemistry of forest springs was investigated in the Fichtelgebirge, a region in NE Bavaria (F.R.G.) which is strongly affected by forest decline. Data were collected from 165 springs (Tables 1–5). Water chemistry is characterized by high concentrations of nitrate, sulfate and aluminium and is influenced by forest decline, liming and soil type of the catchment. Model calculations show maximal N-outputs of 40 kg nitrate-N/ha^*a indicating N-saturation in some forest ecosystems of the Fichtelgebirge. N-saturated ecosystems without buffercapacity for Nitrogen will release all further N-inputs as NO₃ to the aquatic ecosystem.