Interception of seasalt by coniferous and broadleaved woodland in a maritime environment in Western Ireland

Atmospheric deposition in maritime regions is dominated by seasalt. High inputs of seasalt can induce short-term acidification in surface waters by displacement of hydrogen and aluminium from the soil exchange complex. Measurement of sodium fluxes in two forest stands, one coniferous, one broadleaved, in a maritime region of western Ireland resulted in almost equal deposition at the two stands. This is remarkable given that the broadleaved forest has a low interception of water. Weekly throughfall data emphasise the enormous fluctuation in seasalt deposition. In both stands deposition is highest in winter.