Seasonal variation of water extractable aluminium forms in acidified forest organic soils under different vegetation cover

Abstract

The Jizera Mountains area is affected by natural and anthropogenic acidification processes. The effect of acidification is reflected by presence of elevated amount of different Al forms in soil horizons. Changes of water extractable forms of Al (total \( {\text{Al}}_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}} \), species: Al(X)1+, Al(Y)2+ and Al3+) and other soil characteristics (e.g. DOC, pH) were investigated in forest soils from April to October 2008. Seasonal changes of Al forms were identified in organic F and H soil horizons. No significant effect of the soil type on Al forms was documented. Nevertheless, influence of vegetation cover (beech and spruce forest, clear-cut area) on Al(X)1+, Al(Y)2+ forms was proved. The results show that binding and mobility of Al forms are controlled mostly by pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC).