As a result of air pollution, considerable deposition of ammonium sulphate occurs on vegetation and soil in the vicinity of chicken farms and fields dressed with animal slurry. A clear relation exists between ammonium this sulphate deposition and the distance to certain agricultural activities. Field investigations and ecophysiological experiments show both that the needles of Pinus nigra var. maritima (Ait.) Melville take up ammonium and excrete potassium, magnesium and calcium. This often results in potassium or magnesium and/ deficiencies and may lead to premature shedding of needles. The high levels of nitrogen in the needles are strongly correlated to fungal diseases. Whether the osberved cation leaching will result in disturbed nutrient budgets depends mainly on soil conditions. Leaching of K, Mg and Ca from the soil, caused by ammonium sulphate, further may inhibit nutrient uptake. Field investigations show a clear correlation between increased ratios of NH4 to K, Mg and Ca in the soil solution and the damage to pine forests.
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