Biological Neutralization of Acid Deposition in Ombrogenous and Minerotrophic Wetlands

摘要

The magnitude of net neutralization of atmospherically deposited acid in an ombrogenous wetland ecosystem was assessed using ion chromatographic analysis of the porewaters, laboratory incubations for sulfate and nitrate uptake under oxic and anoxic conditions, and lead-210-based deposition rates for solid sulfur species, together with rigorous statistical treatment of porewater data and an annual-averaged mass transport model for sulfate. Results indicate a biologically-dominated sulfate distribution exists in the primary study site, with nearly complete transformation of sulfate deposition within centimeters of the bog/atmosphere interface. The major product appears to be a solid phase organic sulfur species having a very long residence time in the wetland.