ASSESSMENT OF SOIL ACIDIFICATION - A CASE-STUDY

The Menemen-Aliaga-Foca region on the northwestern Aegean coast of Tur key near Izmir, is under the influence of air emissions originating fr om various industrial establishments. In this article, the long-term a cidification impacts of these industrial emissions on the agricultural and forest soils of the region were studied by using qualitative and quantitative soil acidification assessment approaches. The relevant ch aracteristics of the regional soils were determined experimentally and the number of years required to reach certain critical soil pH levels were estimated. Predictions were also made regarding the improvements expected in the future when the existing industries comply with the e mission standards stipulated by the currently effective legislation.