Mechanisms of hydrogen ion neutralization in an experimentally acidified lake

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1986.31.1.0134· OSTI ID:5885619

Cook, R B; Kelly, C A; Schindler, D W; Turner, M A

The experimental acidification of Lake 223 (Experimental Lakes Area, northwestern Ontario) with sulfuric acid in 1976-1983 allowed a detailed examination of the capacity of the lake to neutralize hydrogen ion. A whole-lake alkalinity and ion budget for Lake 223 showed that 66-81% of the added sulfuric acid was neutralized by alkalinity production in the lake. Nearly 85% of in situ alkalinity production was accounted for by net loss of sulfate through bacterial sulfate reduction, coupled with iron reduction and iron sulfide formation, in littoral sediments (60%) and in the hypolimnion (25%). Exchange of hydrogen ion for calcium and manganese in the sediments accounted for 19% of the alkalinity generated, while other cations were net sinks for alkalinity. The seasonal production of 1000 ..mu..eq liter/sup -1/ alkalinity in the anoxic hypolimnion of this soft-water lake could be attributed to bacterial sulfate reduction coupled with iron sulfide formation, ammonium production, and iron (II) production. Only the alkalinity produced from bacterial sulfate reduction coupled with iron sulfide formation remained throughout the annual cycle.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• OSTI ID: 5885619
• Journal Information: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States), Vol. 31:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
LAKES
ACIDIFICATION
WATER CHEMISTRY
SULFATES
REDUCTION
BACTERIA
ONTARIO
PH VALUE
SEDIMENTS
SULFURIC ACID
CANADA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
MICROORGANISMS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)