peer reviewed | The effects of chronically enhanced (NH(4))(2)SO(4) deposition on ion concentrations in soil solution and ionic fluxes were investigated in a Picea abies plot at Grizedale forest, NW England. Soil cores closed at the base and containing a ceramic suction cup sampler were 'roofed' and watered every 2 weeks with bulk throughfall collected in the field. Treatments consisted of the inclusion of living roots from mature trees in the lysimeters and increasing (NH(4))(2)SO(4) deposition (NS treatment) to ambient + 75 kg N ha(-1) a(-1). Rainfall, throughfall and soil solutions were collected every 2 weeks during 18 months, and analysed for major cations and anions. NO(3)(-) fluxes significantly increased following NS treatment, and were balanced by increased Al(3+) losses. Increased SO(4)(2-) concentrations played a minor role in controlling soil solution cation concentrations. The soil exchange complex was dominated by Al and, during the experimental period, cores of all treatments 'switched' from Ca(2+) to Al(3+) leaching, leading to mean [Formula: see text] molar ratios in soil solution of NS treated cores of 0.24. The experiment confirmed that the most sensitive soils to acidification (through deposition or changing environmental conditions) are those with low base saturation, and with a pH in the lower Ca, or Al buffer ranges.

peer reviewed | The effects of enhanced (NH4)(2)SO4 (NS) deposition on Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) fine root biomass, vitality and chemistry were investigated using root-free in-growth cores reproducing native organic and mineral soil horizons. The cores were covered and watered every 2 weeks with native throughfall or throughfall supplemented with NS to increase deposition by 75 kg ha(-1) a(-1) NH4+-N (86 kg ha(-1) a(-1) SO42--S). The in-growth cores were sampled after 19 months and assessed for root biomass, necromass, length, tip number, tip vitality and fine root chemistry. Root biomass and fine root aluminium (Al) concentration were negatively correlated, but NS deposition had no effect on root growth or root tip vitality. NS deposition caused increased fine root nitrogen (N) concentrations in the organic horizon and increased Calcium (Ca) concentrations in the mineral horizon. Fine root biomass was higher in the organic horizon, where fine root Al and potassium (K) concentrations were lower and Ca concentrations higher than in the mineral horizon. Results highlighted the importance of soil stratification on fine root growth and chemical composition.