Effects of simulated acid rain on soil and leachate acidification of a Lexington silt loam

We collected soil cores with a diameter of 5 cm to a depth of 15.2 cm from a Lexington silt loam. Simulated precipitation with adjusted pH values of 3.7, 4.7, and 5.7 was applied to the soil cores in increments of 500 ml d{sup {minus}1} until total applications approximating 10, 20, 40 and 80 yr of effective rainfall in Louisiana were reached. The exchangeable acidity, exchangeable Al, and KCl pH were measured from 2.5-cm sections of the soil cores after treatment. The leaching solution of pH 3.7 after 80 yr volume of application had the greatest effect on the soil pH, exchangeable acidity, and exchageable Al. Leachate pH, electrical conductivity, and cumulative Al were measured after each 5 yr of volume of application. The leachate pH values caused by the 3.7 and 4.7 pH leaching solution pH values. The leaching solution of pH 3.7, however, caused the lowest leachate pH and highest EC and cumulative Al. The volume of application caused no major trends in the data.