Short range variability of soil chemistry in three acid soils in Ontario,Canada |
| |
| Abstract: | Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of soil sampling and analysis methodologies used in Canada's Acid Rain National Early Warning System (ARNEWS). During July and August of 1992, twenty‐five soil pits were sampled and analyzed for available phosphorus (P); exchangeable potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), sodium (Na), sulfate‐sulfur (SO4‐S), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo); total nitrogen (N), P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Al, Na, sulfur (S), B, nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and organic matter (O.M.); pH; and cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.) at three ARNEWS sites across Ontario. The soils were: i) a till‐derived Ferro‐Humic Podzol (Humic Haplorthod), ii) a Humo‐Ferric Podzol (Haplorthod) developed in coarse glaciofluvial sand, and iii) a Dystric Brunisol (Dystrochrept). The three sites were similar in chemical composition except for available P, exchangeable Ca, Mn, total Mn, O.M., and pH. Sample numbers calculated to achieve ±10% error with 95% confidence were much higher in mineral horizons than in forest‐floor horizons. Organic macro‐elements and pH were found to be the least variable parameters while micro‐elements were significantly more variable. Analyses are categorized into groups requiring similar numbers of samples. Other studies have found comparable levels of variability and their results are compared to coefficients of variation generated by the Ontario results. Variability within a pit was also observed and found to be less than that found across each 20‐ x 20‐m site but still very significant. Overall, the variability results from other studies appear to be applicable to Ontario acid soils for common analyses. Investigations observing micro‐elements, or which require high levels of accuracy, should incorporate pilot studies to ascertain the degree of variability for their location. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
