The long-term effects of using alkaline water on the chemical properties of
sand soils were simulated by treating 36 cm tall, 5 cm diameter columns of
soil with water amounts equivalent to that typically applied to cranberrie
s (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) during one year (152 cm, 3 liters), two year
s (304 cm, 6 liters), or three years (456 cm, 9 liters). Columns received e
ither alkaline pond water [148 mg L-1 calcium carbonate (CaCO3) equivalent,
pH 8.0], pond water acidified with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to pH 5.0, or no
water. Water was applied to the top of the soil in 15.2 cm increments and a
llowed to percolate slowly through and out the bottom of the column. The sa
me treatments were applied to an acidic soil (pH 5.6) and a neutral soil (p
H 7.1). The equivalent of three years of alkaline water use raised the pH o
f the acidic soil to 7.5, and that of the neutral soil to pH 7.8. Acidified
water did not change the pH of the acidic soil, but decreased that of the
neutral soil to 6.2. Use of alkaline water increased calcium (Ca) levels fr
om 250 mg kg(-1) to 738 mg kg(-1) in the acidic soil. Soil Ca levels were n
ot affected by acidified water in either soil. Treatments had inconsistent
effects on potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) levels in the soils. Based on t
hese results, high alkalinity water that has been acidified prior to use wo
uld not adversely affect the pH or Ca levels in cranberry soils over a thre
e-year period.