Effects of climate change parameters on the availability of cations in the soil water

Abstract

Studies were conducted with Mediterranean forest soils to evaluate the potential influence of precipitation and temperature changes, upon the soil water chemistry. We examined, during a two-years period, the response of soil cores to experimental warming and decreased precipitation regime using laboratory incubations. Ten soil cores were collected from a natural Mediterranean shrubland in the upper basin of the “Barranc del Carraixet” and Alcublas mountains areas in Valencia (E Spain). Both soils were classified as Rendzic leptosols developed on calcareous material. Cores were divided in two sets and incubated in two climatic chambers under different conditions. Duing the experimental period, the first chamber simulated ‘normal’ Mediterranean air temperatures and precipitation. In the second chamber air temperature was increased by 3 ºC and precipitation decreased in a 10% respect to the first one. We studied the properties of leachates of these ten cores subject to displacement with tap water, in columns, and investigated their relationship with soil properties. When cores were exposed to warmer temperatures and the volume of irrigation inputs decreased, percolates showed increased the availability of cations in the solution phase. These climatic conditions also affect on leachate dissolved organic matter and on soil physical and chemical properties. The elements variations could be explained by the combination of several processes, such as accelerated soil organic matter minaralization and increase leaching losses of cations due to the irrigation events.