Long-Term Effects of Acid Rain: Response and Recovery of a Forest Ecosystem

@article{Likens1996LongTermEO,
  title={Long-Term Effects of Acid Rain: Response and Recovery of a Forest Ecosystem},
  author={Gene E. Likens and Charles T. Driscoll and Donald C. Buso},
  journal={Science},
  year={1996},
  volume={272},
  pages={244 - 246}
}
Long-term data from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, suggest that although changes in stream pH have been relatively small, large quantities of calcium and magnesium have been lost from the soil complex and exported by drainage water because of inputs of acid rain and declines in atmospheric deposition of base cations. As a result, the recovery of soil and streamwater chemistry in response to any decreases in acid deposition will be delayed significantly. 
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TLDR
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Atmospheric acid deposition of sulfate and nitrate has declined markedly in the northeastern United States due to emissions controls. We investigated long‐term trends in soil water (1984–2011) and…
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TLDR
It is suggested that N-rich primary forests may be more sensitive to external N inputs than others with low N status, and should be given more attention under global changes in the future, because lack of nutrient cations is irreversible.
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References

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