Abstract
To estimate the acid buffer capacity and neutralization characteristics of forest floor, batch and submersion studies were conducted with Quercus serrata and Cryptomeria japonica. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of each litter was found to be dependent on pH and ionic strength in solution. The CEC of Q. serrata and C. japonica ranged from 22 to 42 and 9 to 17 (meq/100 g dry weight), respectively. Batch studies using acid solution (pH 3.33) indicated that nearly 100 percent of acid added was removed, and that a significant quantity of organic matter was leached out from both litters. The results of the submersion experiment demonstrated that H+ neutralization velocity of Q, serrata litter was faster than that of C. japonica litter, and that H+ elimination was found to be affected by leached organic matter from the litters. These results suggested that the main acid buffer mechanism on forest floor was not only due to the cation exchange on the surface of litter, but due to the buffer action of organic matter leached from litter.
