Organic Sulfur in Throughfall, Stemflow, and Soil Solutions from Temperate Forests

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Canadian Journal of Forest Research

Volume

20

Issue

9

Publisher

National Research Council Canada

Publication Date

1990

Keywords

organic sulfur, throughfall, stemflow, soil solutions, temperate forests

First Page

1535

Last Page

1539

Abstract

In the assessment of S cycling in forest ecosystems, solutions passing through the forests are normally analyzed for inorganic SO4; other forms of S are rarely considered. In this study, organic S (estimated as the difference between total S and SO4-S) was measured in canopy and soil solutions from eight forest stands spanning a broad range of overstory and soil types. Organic-S concentrations varied among the different types of solutions and among the forests, with values ranging from 0 to 50 μmol S•L−1. Organic S was ≤10% of total S in precipitation, 5 to 54% in throughfall, 1 to 50% in stem flow, 16 to 46% in O-horizon solution, 11 to 21% in A- or E-horizon solutions, and 0 to 29% in B-horizon solutions. Organic S was positively correlated with organic C and organic N in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and red alder (Alnusrubra Bong.) soil solutions and in Douglas-fir stem flow (r2 = 0.68 to 0.96, p < 0.001 ). Inclusion of solution organic S in nutrient cycling budgets can alter estimates of S transfers within forests and S transport out of some forest ecosystems.

Comments

Originally published by the National Research Council - Canada. Abstract available through remote link. Subscription required to access article fulltext.

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