Carbon dioxide dynamics in acid forest soils in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
1990
Castelle, A.J. | Galloway, J.N.
Carbonic acid, derived from soil CO2, may strongly affect streamwater chemistry. The spatial and temporal variability of soil CO2 levels was examined in the White Oak Run watershed of Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. This watershed is in a mountainous, forested region that is being studied to monitor the effects of atmospheric acidic deposition. Two soils--one comprised of alluvial infill on a valley bottom, the other covering a steep hillslope--were monitored for CO2 levels and soil temperature and moisture. Carbon dioxide concentrations varied from atmospheric levels during the winter to nearly two orders of magnitude higher in late summer. There were strong correlations of CO2 with soil air temperature, but correlations with soil moisture content were weak. The strong seasonal fluctuations of CO2 may explain variations in White Oak Run stream-water alkalinity and base-cation concentrations.
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