Assessment of the potential for soil acidification in North India using the critical load approach and locally derived data for acidic and basic inputs

Major ions (Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+ and NH4+) were analysed in wet and dry deposition samples collected for 2 years using a polyethylene bottle and funnel collector at Agra in India. The deposition of ionic components (Ca2+ and Mg2+) derived from natural sources i.e. soil were higher than those of anthropogenic origin. In rainwater samples, non-sea-salt fraction was found to be 60–90%. In both wet and dry deposition Ca2+ was found to be the dominant ion which may be due to its large particle diameter. Results suggest that most of the acidity, which occurs due to NO3−, SO42− and Cl− is neutralized by alkaline constituents, which originate from airborne local soil and dust transported from the Thar desert. Acid neutralizing capacity of soil has also been quantified and found to be 33 × 103 neq g−1. Using deposition data, the critical load for acidity of soil with respect to Ashoka and Eucalyptus was evaluated. The present level of deposition of S and N was found to be much lower than critical loads calculated for S and N. Critical load of exceedance in terms of deposition acidity was also calculated and found to be negative. This indicates that with respect to these species, the ecosystem is protected at the current level of deposition.