Experimental acidification of a stream tributary to Hubbard Brook. Environmental research brief
Long- (5 mo.) and short-term (1 h to 2 days) effects of acidic pH were measured in a poorly buffered mountain stream within the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire. Over a 5-month period aluminum, calcium, magnesium, and potassium were mobilized into the stream water during experimental acidification, and nitrogen was lost via invertebrates and organic matter. Periphyton biomass increased at low pH and fungal densities increased. Emergence of adult mayflies, stoneflies and true flies decreased, whereas immature invertebrates in the drift increased. Short-term pulses of acid also changed the stream ecosystem as indicated by significant net fluxes of organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in biologically bound forms. Aluminum chloride was added to the stream to simulate increased aluminum concentrations during snowmelt. A significant decrease in pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) occurred, as well as an increase in foam accumulation at the stream surface. Foam production is thought to be due to decreased surface tension of the water. A 20% reduction of surface tension of stream water was measured in the laboratory. The cause of the reduction is postulated to be the formation of organo-aluminum complexes in the stream. Increases in aluminum concentration were accompanied by changes in both terrestrial and aquatic drift behavior. Six citations are given for complete publications.
- Research Organization:
- Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5099215
- Report Number(s):
- PB-85-222792/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Acute effects of aluminum and acidity upon nine stream insects. Technical completion report
Physical, chemical, and biological consequences of episodic aluminum additions to a stream
Related Subjects
ACIDIFICATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
NEW HAMPSHIRE
STREAMS
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
ACID RAIN
AIR POLLUTION
BIOMASS
ECOSYSTEMS
FORESTS
FRESH WATER
HYDROLYSIS
INSECTICIDES
OXIDATION
SURFACE TENSION
WATER POLLUTION
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION I
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LYSIS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
POLLUTION
RAIN
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLVOLYSIS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WATER
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)