Soil Chemistry 1983-86 at the Rain Project Catchments

Abstract

The aim of the rain project is to explain the effects of changed acid deposition on soils and waters. This report presents results from chemical and physical analyses of soil samples collected yearly 1984-1986 at the rain project catchments at Sogndal and Risdalsheia. Estimates of historical weathering rates based on total elemental analysis of soil and bedrock are 295 and 12 meq/m"/yr at Sogndal and Risdalsheia, respectively. Of the key chemical parameters measured only absorbed sulfate shows statistic- ally significant changes over the past 3 years that can be linked to the changed acid deposition. The pools of exchangeable base cations are too large to be significantly affected over only 3 years.