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1768517 
Journal Article 
Impacts of Acid Rain on Base Cations, Aluminum, and Acidity Development in Highly Weathered Soils of Thailand 
Nawaz, Rab; Parkpian, P; Garivait, H; Anurakpongsatorn, P; Delaune, RD; Jugsujinda, A 
2012 
Yes 
Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
ISSN: 0010-3624
EISSN: 1532-2416 
43 
10 
1382-1400 
The impacts of simulated acid rain on leachability of major
plant nutrients, toxic element [aluminum (Al)], and acidity development in highly weathered
tropical soils of Thailand were studied. Leaching experiments were conducted on soil columns with
acidic solutions of pH 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, and with water of pH 7.0 as a control treatment.
Leaching losses of base cations from all soils increased with the decrease in pH associated with
simulated acid rain (SAR) additions, and were found to be quite high under SAR with pH 2.0. The
leaching removal of these cations was lesser at pH 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 but greater than that in pH
7.0. The leaching of base cation from the soils depended not only on acid rain pH but also on
soil properties, especially cation exchange capacity, soil texture, and initial base content. The
significant losses of major plant nutrients [such as potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), and
magnesium (Mg2+)] from the plant root zone over extended periods could cause nutrient imbalance
and lower soil productivity. 
Acidic deposition; aluminum leaching; aluminum mobilization; base cation leaching; phytotoxicity; soil acidity; southeastern Asia; weathered soils