Canopy processing of acidic precipitation by coniferous and hardwood forests in New England

Abstract

There are several important factors that may influence how forest canopies interact with acidic deposition, including forest community species composition, phenological status, and differences in atmospheric loading of strong acids. Results from comparative throughfall chemistry studies in New Hampshire, where precipitation pH is 4.1, indicate that northern hardwood canopies produce a throughfall solution chemistry that is less acid and higher in basic cations than either direct precipitation or throughfall solutions derived from nearby subalpine balsam fir forests. Neutralization of acid precipitation in the hardwood canopy appears to occur through two major processes: ion exchange removal of free H⁺ by the foliage, and Brønsted base leaching from the plant canopy. Data obtained during the period of senescence preceding leaf-drop suggest a strong link between alkalinity release and potassium leaching in the hardwood canopy. Compared with the hardwood canopy, the coniferous forest canopy exhibits several distinct quantitative differences in canopy processing.