Leaching of simulated acid rain deteriorates soil physiochemical and mechanical properties in three agricultural soils

Abstract

Abstract Acid rain is a long-standing environmental issue that affects ecosystem properties. Great attempts have been made to clarify how acid rain affects soil physiochemical and microbial properties, but soil mechanical properties in response to acid rain conditions have rarely been investigated. This microcosm experiment was conducted to study how simulated acid rain (SAR) with different acidity levels would affect soil mechanical properties and the associated physiochemical indicators of three agricultural soils (Humic Acrisol, Haplic Ferralsol and Rhodic Ferralsol) with different soil properties. The results showed that the soil plasticity index was significantly decreased by the strongly acidic SAR treatments (pH