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Effect of Acid Precipitation on Soil Microbial Activity: II. Field Studies¹

ABSTRACT

The effects of acid precipitation on selected microbiological processes were investigated under field conditions. The study site, near Lake McCloud, FL, was composed of three transects, each including three plots. Each transect was spray-irrigated with lake water at various levels of acidity. Acid rain did not significantly reduce dehydrogenase, phosphatase, or urease activity; protease activity was decreased. Similarly, soil respiration was not altered by acid rain of pH 3.7 or 3.0. It was, however, observed that acid rain significantly reduced nitrification at both pH levels. Laboratory and field data were compared and discussed.

Key Words: acid rain • soil microorganisms • enzyme activity

¹ Research funded through North Carolina State Univ. Coop. Agreement with the USEPA.

² Professor, associate professor, associate professor, graduate assistant, graduate assistant, and Ph.D, candidate, respectively, Dep. of Environ. Eng. Sci. and Dep. of Soil Sci., Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Received for publication April 29, 1983.