Multivariate statistical analysis of the response of forest litters to atmospheric pollution

The effect of atmospheric discharge from the Pechenganikel' Integrated Plan t, the main source of sulfur dioxide in northern Europe, on changes in acid ity and cation exchange properties of forest litters formed on podzol soils was estimated in forest ecosystems at the northern limit of their range. A s the plant is approached, the contents of exchangeable potassium and acidi ty proved to decrease, whereas the contents of nickel and copper increased by two orders of magnitude and reached one-quarter of the total cation exch ange capacity. The multivariate analysis of spatial interrelations revealed the natural structure of litter properties, including those concerning exc hangeable bases, pollutants, and parameters of acidity.