Effects of acid fog and detergents on foliar leaching of cations

Relative rates of nutrient leaching from the epygeous apparatus of Quercus ilex L., Fagus sylvatica L., Acer opalus Mill., Euonymus japonicus L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. were examined after exposure to simulated acid fog. Copper, A1, Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, and Pb were preferentially leached at low pH, whereas leaching rates of Na, K, and Cd did not appear to be pH-influenced. Addition of surfactant to the spray solutions showed a slight reduction of leaching for all elements investigated. Except for Mg, foliar nutrient levels were not influenced during our experiments.