The Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Sodium Budgets for a Small Forested Ecosystem

摘要: Six West Thornton, New Hampshire watersheds are characterized by a near climax, northern hardwoods ecosystem, humid continental climate, and acid metamorphic rock. Concentration of Ca/sup + +/, Mg/sup K/sup Na/sup +/ in weekly precipitation samples was variable. The annual weighted average values (mg/liter) were; 1973-74, Ca 0.26, mg. 0.06, K 0.21, Na 0.09; 1964-65, 0.30, Mg 0.12, 0.19, 0.22. Differences were not related to elevation. contribution cations from dry fallout negligible. Cation content stream water relatively very low. for the entire area 1.18, 0.38, 0.87 during 1963-64; 0.80, 0.22, 0.91 1964-65. In general, cationic concentrations drainage constant although discharge varied greatly. Statistically, relationship between concentration significant any watersheds, but inversely possibly direct few instances. budget dissolved calculated determinations input (cation times volume precipitation) output timesmore » runoff.) During 1963-64 inputs kg/ha 3.0 0.7 2.5 1.0 while averaged 8.0 2.6 1.8 5.9 Na+. 1964-65 were: input, 2.8 1.1 2.1 +/; output, 3.9 11.8 4.5 +/. Assuming that vegetation is synamic equilibrium, net losses represent conservative measurements geochemical weathering system. probably balance.« less