• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.65-72
• /
• 1998

Various effects of simulated acid rain by $HNO_3$ and $H_2SO_4$ with pH 3.2, 4.2 and 5.6 were investigated in Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb, a biennial legume dominating the disturbed and poor soil vegetations. The nitric acid treatment of pH 3.2 resulted in 121% increase of the plant height compared to that of pH 5.6 during early growth, although 17% decrease was detected with the sulfuric acids. During 14 days of treatment, leaf biomass and chlorophyll content increased 168% and 133% with pH 3.2 nitric acid rain but decreased 20% and 38%, respectively, with sulfuric acid rain. Nitrogen content in various organs was also determined after 42 days of nitric acid treatment. It increased 480% and 387% by pH 3.2 and 4.2 in leaves, 212% and 214% in stems and 247% and 249% in roots. However, the same treatment with the sulfuric acid showed a considerable reduction in this content, indicating that the nitric acid was a nitrogen source. Nodule formation assayed revealed 15% decrease with pH 3.2 in contrast to 157% increase in pH 4.2, further suggesting an enhancement effect by the additional nitrogen source. Contrary to this, the nodule formation was reduced up to 43-71% by sulfuric acid rains. Specific nitrogen fixation activities of nodules estimated at pH 3.2, 4.2 and 5.6 nitric acid rain were 36.7, 42.8 and 47.3 ${\mu}mol\;C_2H_4{\cdot}g^{-1}\;fw\;nodule{\cdot}h^{-1}$, while those of sulfuric acid rain exhibited 1 nmol $C_2H_4{\cdot}plant^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ with pH 3.2, 177 with pH 4.2 and 179 with pH 5.6, yet it increased 2, 115 and 286 respectively corresponding to the three sulfuric acid concentrations. Further implications of the simulated acied rain were also discussed in the study.