• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.249-256
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• 1997

To identify the long-term influence of acid rain treatment on tree growth, acid rain of various composition (pH 2.0, pH 4.0 and pH 5.6 as control) was applied to several landscape trees for five months (April through August, 1991). Tree height, pH values and $Al^{3+}$ concentration in soil were investigated. Acid rain treatments seemed to promote height growth in the first year (1991), but have become an inhibiting factor over five years. All of coniferous species and most broad-leaved species, except Acer ginnala, showed opposite trends in height responses to acid rain treatments between the first (1991) and last (1996) year. In contrast, Acer ginnala showed similar trends to acid rain treatments in the height growth between 1991 and 1996. This result suggested that Acer ginnala has a characteristic adapability to acid rain stress. pH values of surface soil were lower than those of 30 cm soil depth. This fact suggested that acid rain treatments made surface soil acidic condition. In addition, physiological characteristics (photosynthesis, stomatal condition and biomass) have to be investigated to identify the relationship between long-term effects of $AL^{3+}$ concentration and growth.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.229-233
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Soil acidification, which is known to be one of the reasons of forest decline, is associated with decreases in exchangeable Ca and increases in Al concentration, leading to low Ca/Al ratio in soil solution. As tree rings are datable archives of environmental changes, Ca/Al ratios of annual growth ring may show decreasing pattern in accordance with the progress of soil acidification. This study was conducted to investigate Ca/Al pattern of Pinus densiflora tree ring in an attempt to test its usefulness as an indicator of historical soil acidification. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three P. densiflora tree disks were collected from P. densiflora forests in Jeonnam province, and soil samples (0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm in depth) were also collected from the tree locations. Soils were analyzed for pH and exchangeable Ca and Al concentrations, and Ca/Al was calculated. Annual growth rings formed between 1969 and 2007 were separated and analyzed for Ca/Al. Soil Ca/Al was positively (P<0.01) correlated with soil pH, suggesting that soil acidification decreased Ca while increasing Al availability, lowering Ca/Al in soil solution. The Ca/Al of tree rings also showed a decreasing pattern from 18.2 to 5.5 during the period, and this seemed to reflect historical acidification of the soils. CONCLUSION(s): The relationship between soil pH and Ca/Al and the decreasing pattern of Ca/Al of tree ring suggest that Ca/Al of tree ring needs to be considered as a proxy of the progress of soil acidification in P. densiflora forest in southern Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.89 no.3
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• pp.422-430
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• 2000

Three-year-old Pinus koraiensis seedlings, transplanted in brown forest soils originating from granite were treated with simulated acid rain of pH concentrations 5.6(control), 4.0, 3.0, 2.5 and 2.0 for 210 days from April 21 to November 17, 1999. Visible injury of the seedlings were observed at the pH 2.0 and pH 2.5 treatments. The total dry weight of the seedlings decreased at pH 2.0 treatment compared with that of the control, and T/R ratio increased at pH 2.0 treatment compared with others. The elements in each part of the seedlings, concentrations of Ca, P and content of chlorophyll in needles increased at the pH 2.0 treatment compared with the control. The concentration of N in the needles of the seedlings increased as the soil pH decreased. As the treated pH was lowered, soil pH has decreased, and concentrations of Ca, Mg, Al, and Mn increased, especially at pH 4.4. In addition, there was a strong correlation(r=0.90, p<0.05 ; r=-0.94, p<0.01) between the dry weight of the seedlings and the pH and Al concentration of the soils. Therefore, the pH and Al concentration in the soil may be useful indicator for assessing the effect of acid rain on the growth of woody plants.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.115-126
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• 2017

There is an increasing concern over arsenic (As) contamination in rice. This study was conducted to develope a prediction model for As uptake by rice based on the physico-chemical properties of soil. Soil and brown rice samples were collected from 46 sites in paddy fields near three different areas of closed mines and industrial complexes. Total As concentration, soil pH, Al oxide, available phosphorus (avail-P), organic matter (OM) content, and clay content in the soil samples were determined. Also, 1.0 N HCl, 1.0 M $NH_4NO_3$, 0.01 M $Ca(NO_3)_2$, and Mehlich 3 extractable-As in the soils were measured as phytoavailable As concentration in soil. Total As concentration in brown rice samples was also determined. Relationships among As concentrations in brown rice, total As concentrations in soils, and selected soil properties were as follows: As concentration in brown rice was negatively correlated with soil pH value, where as it was positively correlated with Al oxide concentration, avail-P concentration, and OM content in soil. In addition, the concentration of As in brown rice was statistically correlated only with 1.0 N HCl-extractable As in soil. Also, using multiple stepwise regression analysis, a modelling equation was created to predict As concentration in brown rice as affected by selected soil properties including soil As concentration. Prediction of As uptake by rice was delineated by the model [As in brown rice = 0.352 + $0.00109^*$ HCl extractable As in soil + $0.00002^*$ Al oxide + $0.0097^*$ OM + $0.00061^*$ avail-P - $0.0332^*$ soil pH] ($R=0.714^{***}$). The concentrations of As in brown rice estimated by the modelling equation were statistically acceptable because normalized mean error (NME) and normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) values were -0.055 and 0.2229, respectively, when compared with measured As concentration in the plant.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.341-345
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• 1998

Soil solutions were collected by zero-tension lysimeters at Kwangju, Kyunggi Province to estimate differences in ion concentration among species and horizons. Zero-tension lysimeters were installed in O, A, and B horizons in Larix leptolepis, Pinus koraiensis, and Quercus mongolica stands. Soil solution samples were collected from September 1996 through August 1998 and analyzed for $K^+$, $NA^+$, $NH_4^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Al^{3+}$, $Cl^-$, $SO_4^{2-}$, $NO_3^-$, and $PO_4^{3-}$. The experimental site had high nitrogen loading from the atmosphere, and $NO_3^-$ was positively correlated with $K^+$ and $Mg^{2+}$. However, $NO_3^-$ and $NH_4^+$ showed a positive correlation only in the O horizon of Q. mongolica stand. Mg^(2+) deficit in the soil was predicted owing to the positive relationship of $Mg^{2+}$ with $NO_3^-$. Concentrations of $K^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$in soil solution were estimated higher in L. leptolepis than in other stands because of high leaching from the plant. Concentration of $Al^{3+}$ in soil solution was negatively correlated with soil solution pH. Mean soil solution pH of A and B horizons in P. koraiensis was lower than 4.7, however the $Al^{3+}$ concentration was lower than the toxic level to plants.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 1990

In order to obtain the basic informations on the reasonable fertilization and soil management systems for a high soybean yield, both soybean leaves and soils were collected from 24 soybean-cultivated fields in central area of Korea, and analyzed. For this study, soybean leaves and soil were sampled together in July of 1988(growing season), and soil alone in October of 1988 (harvesting season) and April of 1989(sowing season) at each sampling site. The results might be summarized as follows: 1. The soil pH ranged between 4.8 and 6.8. and the pH after harvest decreased to 5.4 which compared with the pH 5.7 of growing season. 2. Both the 1N KCl extractable Al and the 1N $NH_4OAc$ extractable Al in soils were inversely correlated with the soil pH. the former concentration was negligible above pH 5.8. 3. The soil total-N and Bray 1-P after harvest were lower than those of growing season. The Bray 1-P's of sample soils were very high irrespective of sampling time. 4. The exchangeable Ca and Mg in soils even after harvest varied little whereas the exchangeable K decreased with time. 5. The N content in soybean leaves was not correlated with soil total-N, but highly correlated with the K content in soybean leaves. The Mg content in soybean leaves was also highly correlated with Ca content in suybean leaves and exchangeable Mg in soils.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.391-396
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• 2015

Arsenic (As) contamination of agricultural soils resulting from mining activity has caused major concern due to the potential health risk. Therefore the current study was carried out to investigate the relationship between fractionation of As in soil and rice uptake and to provide a basic information for adequate management of As contaminated agricultural soil. Twenty agricultural soils and rice affected by the abandoned mining sites were collected. Soil chemical properties and As concentrations (total and sequential extracted) in soils were determined and As concentrations in polished rice were analyzed. The average concentration of As in non-specifically adsorbed (F1), specifically adsorbed (F2), amorphous hydrous oxides of Fe and Al (F3), crystalline hydrous oxides of Fe and Al (F4) and residual phase (F5) were 0.08, 1.38, 10.34, 3.26 and $10.98mgkg^{-1}$, respectively. Both soil pH and available phosphorus were positively correlated with the concentrations of As in F1 and F2. These results indicate that increasing the soil pH and available phosphorus can significantly increase the easily mobile fractions of As (F1 and F2). The average concentration of As in polished rice was $0.09mgkg^{-1}$. The concentrations of As in F1 and F2 showed a positive correlation with the concentrations of As in polished rice. Therefore soil pH and available phosphorus affect the distribution of As fractionation in soils and thus affect As bioavailability.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 1971

A pot experiment with an acid sulfate soil from Kimhae was carried out to find out the cause of toxicity in rice plant. The effect of liming on changes in pH, Eh, Al, and $Fe^{2+}$ in soil and leachate was examined at two-week interval during the growth of rice. Also, total $P_2O_5$, $SiO_2$, Fe and Al contents in plants at harvesting stage were determined. In the early stage, the rice plant in the check soil showed the same healthy growth as did in limed soil even at high Al in soil and leachate. Around panicle forming stage, reddish brown mottlings suddenly infested all over the plants when accompanied with strong reduction, and afterward growth was severely retarded, and finally caused the significant difference in yield. During the strong reduction, significant amount of sulfide was formed only in check soils, but no free $H_2S$ was detected. Appreciable Al was still present in soil and leachate, and $Fe^{2+}$ in check soil was lower than that in limed soil, but $Fe^{2+}$ in leachate was slightly higher. Limed soils were more reduced and produced more $Fe^{2+}$ due to increased microorganism activity in the neutral pH. In the leachate, the check showed slightly higher $Fe^{2+}$ concentration but considerably higher than limed one at later stage. Appreciable amount of Al was detected only in check soil and leachate from transplanting to panicle formation stage. Plant tissues at harvesting stage contained very low P regardless of liming. Uptake of Si was markedly increased by liming. Contents of Fe an Al was markedly higher in check than limed one, but difference in Fe content was more drastic possibly due to more Fe uptake in presence of markedly higher $Fe^{2+}$ in soil and leachate at later growing stage. In conclusion toxic symptom in this acid sulfate soil seems to be primarily due to Al when accompanied with low pH and strong reduction. But association with $Fe^{2+}$ toxicity is not completely excluded. In order to differentiate the effect of $Fe^{2+}$ from that of Al more detailed plant analysis at different stage is required.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.109 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2020

The sensitivity of forest soil to acidification in the Republic of Korea (ROK) was evaluated based on pH_H2O, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and base saturation (BS). Sensitivity to acidification was categorized into three grades: adequate level (AL, pH ≧ 4.2, CEC ≧ 15cmol/kg, BS ≧ 15%), caution level (CL, at least one indicator is below AL), and severe Level (SL, all three indicators are below AL). Soil samples were collected from the 65 stationary monitoring plots (40 × 40 ㎢), distributed throughout ROK. Only 19% of soil samples were classified as AL, while 66% and 15% were CL and SL, respectively. The median of pH_H2O, CEC, BS, and Ca/Al indicator in AL soils was pH 4.64, 20.7cmol/kg, 29%, and 6.3, respectively. Moreover, BC_ex (K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) and available phosphorus (AP) concentration compared with a threshold value and molar ratio of BC_ex and AP to total nitrogen (TN) was high. This indicates that AL soils have a good nutrient condition. The molar Ca/Al ratio, an indicator for toxicity of exchangeable aluminum (Al_ex), was more than 1, indicating no negative impact of Al_ex on plant growth. On the contrary, the median of pH_H2O, CEC, and BS in SL soils was pH 4.02, 13.2cmol/kg, and 10%, respectively. The Ca/Al index was less than 0.6, which indicates that negative impacts of Al_ex on plants were high. Furthermore, both the concentration of BC_ex in SL soils and the BC_ex/TN ratio were the lowest among the three acidity degrees. This shows that SLsoils can be degraded by soil acidification compared with less acidic soils.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.87-89
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• 2003

Although a forest damage of large area due to air pollution has not yet been found in Korea, declines of Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.), the most common coniferous species, have been locally reported. To evaluate the effect of air pollution and acid deposition on the forests, SO$_2$ concentration, acid load, soil pH and tree decline were monitored for 13 years from 1988 to 2001 in Namsan, Doowang and Gyebangsan with the gradient of air pollution. During the study period, annual mean SO$_2$ concentration in Namsan, Doowang and Gyebangsan were 14 ppb, 13 ppb and 6 ppb, respectively. Annual mean acid loads in Namsan and Doowang were three to four times more than that in Gyebangsan. As respected, forest surface soils in Namsan and Doowang were acidified to pH 4.1 and 4.3, whereas that in Gyebangsan showed normal value as pH 5.4. On the other hand, decline degrees of Korean red pines in Namsan and Doowang in both 1996 and 2001 were higher than those in Gyebangsan. It is reasonable that the severer tree declines in Namsan and Doowang could be closely related with the higher air pollution, acid load, and the effects (possibly Ca deficit and Al toxicity) of soil acidification.