Scientific publications

The influx and water-borne migration of substances in the atmosphere/vegetation/soil/soil & lacustrine water have been studied in the Kivach Strict Nature Reserve territory. In 2002, atmospheric precipitation in the reserve was weakly acidic (pH 5.2), typical of the region. The pine forest canopy alters its composition and acidity during the growing season: pH value decreases from 5.57 to 5.37 on average. The supply of constantly weakly acidic and acidic rainwater with very low mineralization promotes acidification of sandy Al-Fe podzols and soil waters (pH 5.1). The elements most abundantly leached with lysimetric waters percolating through the forest floor are Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe. Lead content there is much higher than its levels in throughfall, indicating pollutioninduced accumulation of the element in the soil. In a situation when substantial amounts of metals in the active water soluble form are supplied with rainwater and dust, soils can partially absorb the metals, the accumulating capacity of upper organic horizons under pine forest canopy being higher than in openings. Pine coenoses thus act as a biochemical barrier to pollutants, concentrating them in the soil upper horizons.