Premium
Spatial Patterns in Elemental Concentrations of the Forest Floor across the North Central USA
Author(s) -
Grigal D. F.,
Ohmann L. F.
Publication year - 1989
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/jeq1989.00472425001800030022x
Subject(s) - forest floor , deposition (geology) , environmental science , physical geography , geology , environmental chemistry , geography , soil science , soil water , chemistry , geomorphology , sediment
Forest floor material was sampled in 171 forest stands, representing five forest types, across the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Elemental concentrations of forest floor material were related to forest type, and for most elements, concentrations were also related to location defined by five sampling zones along a northwest‐southeast geographic gradient. Calcium, Mg, K, Na, and P decreased in concentration from west to east; Pb and Cd increased; Cu and Zn did not differ among zones, and although Ni differed, there was no pattern to those differences. The trends are consistent with atmospheric deposition of Ca, Mg, K, Na, and P from westerly soil‐derived sources and deposition of Pb and Cd from eastern anthropogenic sources.