Nitrate deposition and impact on Adirondack streams
- New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Rome, NY (United States)
- New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Ray Brook, NY (United States)
Acidic deposition has a great impact on water chemistry and fish populations in the Adirondack region. Although the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 have resulted in some reductions of sulfate deposition, nitrate deposition has not yet been well controlled, and continues to impact aquatic resources. As part of the USEPA funded Episodic Response Project four Adirondack headwater streams were intensively monitored over an 18 month period. Atmospheric deposition was also monitored at a centrally located station. The quantity of nitrate being deposited on the study watersheds was calculated based on monthly net deposition data which ranged from 0.6 kg/ha/month to 3.6 kg/ha/month. These data were then compared to the monthly export of nitrate from the watershed in these streams. Nitrate concentrations were highest in the streamwater during the spring snowmelt period prior to the time when forest vegetation actively utilizes nitrate. On an annual basis the amount of nitrate which left the watershed via stream water exceeded the amount which fell as nitrate deposition. These data are important in documenting the impact of nitrate in the acidification of Adirondack streams during the spring, which coincides with brook trout hatching. Control programs for nitrous oxide emissions are presently aimed at reducing ozone levels during the May-September period. These emissions control programs need to be expanded to also reduce nitrate deposition in the sensitive Adirondack region during the winter and spring periods when nitrate deposition has its greatest impact on aquatic resources.
- OSTI ID:
- 617894
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970145-; TRN: 98:002057-0063
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. joint conference on acid rain and electric utilities, Scottsdale, AZ (United States), 20-22 Jan 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Acid rain & electric utilities II; PB: 1047 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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