In a mature Norway spruce stand a liming experiment (4t ha1 ground dolomitic limestone) was investigated since 1984. The dissolution of the lime was relatively fast, following an exponential decrease (40% in the first year) of the applied amount of carbonate. Neverheless pH values have been only increased in the O-horizon. Fresh litter is causing acidification from top again. As a consequence of the high pH s the cation exchange capacity was drastically increased, leading to pronounced storage off Ca and Mg in surface humus. Magnesium is translocated much quicker into mineral soil horizons. Liming enhanced the nitrification up to 110m gNO3L-1 below main rooting zone which will be a problem for ground water quality. The increase of dissolved organic carbon led to a higher mobility of Pb and Cu, which can be a risk for the environment. While soil chemistry, soil biology and ground vegetation are changed, spruce showed no effect up to now. These results demonstrate that liming should be only applied after careful consideration of possible disadvantages.
