Effects of decreased atmospheric deposition on the sulfur budgets of two Dutch moorland pools

Abstract

The chemical composition of surface waters of two Dutch moorland pools and of incident precipitation, was monitored from 1982 to 1990. For this period, sulfur and water budgets were calculated using a hydrochemical model developed for well-mixed non-stratifying lakes. Total atmospheric deposition of S decreased significantly after 1986 at both locations. A model describing the sulfur budget in terms of input, output and reduction/oxidation processes predicted a fast decrease of pool water SO4 2− concentrations after a decrease of atmospheric input. However, SO4 2− concentrations in the surface water was lowered only slightly or remained constant. Apparently a source within the lake caused the unexpectedly high SO4 2− concentrations. The possible supply of SO4 2− from the sediment through regulation by (K-)Al-SO4 containing minerals or desorption of SO4 2− from positively charged surfaces in the sediment was evaluated. Solubility calculations of pore water with respect to alunite, basaluminite and jurbanite indicated that SO4 2− concentration was not regulated by these minerals. It is suggested here (1) that desorption of SO4 2− from peaty sediments may account for the estimated SO4 2− supply provided that the adsorption complex is periodically recharged by partial oxidation of the upper bottom sediments and (2) that because of exposure of a part of the pool bottom to the atmosphere during dry summers and subsequent oxidation of reduced S, the amount of SO4 2− may be provided which complements the decreasing depositional SO4 2− input. In future research these two mechanisms need to be investigated.