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Effect of Acid Precipitation on Soil Microbial Activity: I. Soil Core Studies
Author(s) -
Bitton Gabriel,
Boylan Rae Ann
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1985.00472425001400010012x
Subject(s) - acid rain , chemistry , soil water , precipitation , environmental chemistry , soil type , soil respiration , agronomy , soil science , environmental science , biology , physics , organic chemistry , meteorology
A study using soil columns was undertaken to examine the effect of acid precipitation on selected microbial processes. Following short‐term (92 d) exposure of soil cores to acid rain at pH 3.7 and 3.0, no alteration in enzyme activities was observed. The effect on soil respiration was dependent on soil type. Dinitrogen fixation was reduced only in one of the soils by the rain of pH 3.0. Following long‐term (690 d) exposure to acid rain, alterations in enzyme activities and CO 2 evolution were dependent on the soil type. No reduction in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content or N 2 fixation were observed.