Organic chlorine in deciduous and coniferous forest soils in southern Sweden

The concentration of organic chlorine (Clorg) was determined in soil samples collected in the O-horizon in forest soils in southern Sweden to describe differences among stand types and elucidate the influence of chloride (Clinorg), pH, and organic carbon. The samples were collected within the Swedish National Survey of Forest Soils and Vegetation, with moraine as the dominating soil type and with granite and gneiss as bedrock. The concentration of organic chlorine (Clorg) found in the deciduous forest soils was significantly lower than that in the coniferous forest soils. The Clorg increased with Clinorg, organic carbon content, and decreasing pH but was most strongly correlated to Clinorg. Crosswise comparisons among the variables showed that the influence of Clinorg overrode the influence of pH and organic carbon. We concluded that the major driving force in the formation of Clorg in soils is deposition of Clinorg and that the difference among deciduous and coniferous stands is due primarily to a higher input of Clinorg in the canopy of coniferous trees as a result of a larger wet and dry deposition in coniferous compared with deciduous forests. The concentration of Clorg decreased significantly from June to August. This follows the pattern of chloride deposition in the region and gives further evidence that Clinorg is a driving force in the formation of Clorg in soil. The results of the present study gives further evidence that the turnover of Clorg is closely related to the turnover of Clinorg and that it is necessary to include Clorg in the assessment of the biogeochemical cycling of chlorine in the environment.