Yearly and Seasonal Variations in Extractable Soil Sulphate at Two Locations in Norway

Abstract

The yearly and seasonal variations in water-soluble and phosphate-extractable SO^2- ₄ in the soil at two locations in Norway were measured during the years 1979–1981. Two small plots at each location were sampled. The variation in the SO^2- ₄ fractions between the plots was explained by the differences in soil properties. The correlation coefficients between water-soluble SO^2- ₄ and total S were not high, but significant. Both depletion and accumulation of soluble SO^2- ₄ during the period of investigation were measured. Amounts of precipitation could only partly explain the observed changes. No differences between the locations could be attributed directly to the higher input of anthropogenic sulphur to one of the locations.

Key Words:

• Sulphate
• S-fractions
• shallow soils