Effects of artificial acid rain on microbial activity and biomass

Abstract:
The emission of air pollutants which form acid components

in rain and snow represents a threat to natural ecosystems.

Increased leaching of nutrients from soils (ABRAHAMSEN et

al. 1976b), decreased pHvalues in lakes and changes in fish

populations (SCHOFIELD 1976) have been suggested as some of

the consequences of the increased acidity of rain. Scandinavian

coniferous forests are very stable ecosystems, and dramatic

short-term effects due to acid rain are hardly to be

expected. To simulate long-term effects, artificially acidified

rain may be used. We report here decreased microbial

activity and biomass in a Norwegian forest soil treated with

artificially acidified rain.