Changes in the concentrations and speciation of aluminum in response to an experimental addition of ammonium sulfate to the bear Brook Watershed, Maine, USA
✍ Scribed by K. M. Postek; C. T. Driscoll; J. S. Kahl; S. A. Norton
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands
- Year
- 1995
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 347 KB
- Volume
- 85
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0049-6979
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✦ Synopsis
An understanding of the biogeochemistry of aluminum (AI) in acid-sensitive terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is critical to assessments of the effects of acidic deposition. Bear Brook Watershed, Maine, USA includes paired watersheds, East Bear and West Bear, Starting in November 1989, experimental additions of ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4; 900 mol/ha-yr) have been made to West Bear Brook Watershed. Chemical analysis of soil and stream waters were conducted to evaluate the speeiation of Al prior to and following (1989-92) the experimental treatments. Before the treatments, soilwater A1 occurred largely as inorganic monomeric A1 (All). Concentrations of organic monomeric AI (Alo), Ali and dissolved organic C (DOC) were high in soil solutions draining the E horizon, and decreased in the lower mineral soilwater (Bs horizon) and streamwater. Streamwater concentrations ofmonomeric AI (Aim) were largely in the form of Alo. After the (NH4)2SO4 treatments were initiated in the West Bear Brook Watershed, concentrations of Aim increased in soilwater and streamwater, largely as Ali. These increases in AI accompanied decreases in pH and increases in concentrations of SO42 and NO3 in drainage waters. Increases in stream concentrations of A1 were particularly evident during high flow events. This pattern, coupled with the increases in concentrations of Ali in upper soilwaters in response to the (NH4)2SO4 addition, suggests that episodic increases in Ali were due to inputs of water entering the stream from shallow hydrologic towpaths.