The neutralisation of acid rain by the leaves of four boreal forest species
A field study was carried out in the boreal forest of Ontario to measure the neutralisation response of the leaves of Cornus canadensis, Aralia nudicaulis, Maianthemum canadense, and Acer spicatum to simulated acid rain. Plots of each species were sprayed with pH 5.6, 3.8, or 3.2 rain, and the pH of the raindrops on the leaves and on Parafilm (control) was measured with a microelectrode at 15-min intervals until the leaves dried. Species differed in their ability to neutralise the rain, with C. canadensis consistently neutralising acidic raindrops the most. The neutralisation response varied greatly between pH treatments, with greatest neutralisation occurring at the most acidic pH treatment. Raindrop neutralisation primarily took place within the first few minutes following the spray. For this reason, the dissolution of basic particulates on the leaf surface was probably responsible for the rapid changes in raindrop pH, while slower changes may reflect cation exchange processes with the cell walls. Weather conditions determined the rate of evaporation of the raindrops, and this affected their acidity. High rates of evaporation reduced the time available for leaf surface – raindrop interactions and are probably responsible for the acidification observed in some plots.