Competition of Hydrogen and Manganese Ions for Adsorption Sites in Sitka Spruce Litter

The competition of hydrogen and manganese ions for adsorption sites in Sitka spruce litter was investigated in a factorial design, simulated acid rain experiment, which involved leaching of litter with simulated throughfall solutions at three pH levels (5.3, 4.3 and 3.3) and three manganese concentrations (0 to 0.2 mg1^-1). the throughfall solution at the lowest pH was the most efficient in removing exchangeable manganese from litter. the manganese concentration in the leachates was approximately proportional to the hydrogen ion concentration in the simulated throughfall solution. Under field conditions, throughfall manganese concentration also naturally tends to increase as a consequence of enhanced foliar leaching of manganese in response to increasing precipitation acidity. the manganese concentration in the simulated throughfall also affected manganese concentration in the leachates, however, and contributed to a buildup of exchangeable manganese in litter, thus counteracting to some extent possible adverse effects of excess leaching due to increased throughfall acidity.