Comparison of terrestrial and hypolimnetic sediment generation of acid neutralizing capacity for an acidic Adirondack lake

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es50001a012· OSTI ID:5245566

Schafran, G C; Driscoll, C T

The importance of in-lake generation of acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) to the neutralization of acidic deposition has been determined for an acidic Adirondack (NY) lake relative to its surrounding watershed. Microbial processes within the sediments of Dart's Lake significant altered the aqueous chemistry of the hypolimnion. Reduction of NO/sub 3//sup -/ and SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ and the production of NH/sub 4//sup +/ contributed 45, 14, and 32%, respectively, to the production of hypolimnetic ANC. The reduction of NO/sub 3//sup -/ was a more significant source of ANC generation than has been reported in other lake districts. On an areal basis, in-lake ANC generation (2990 equiv ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/) was greater than terrestrial ANC production (1204 equiv ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/). However on a watershed basis, in-lake ANC generation was minor (< 5%) due to the short hydraulic retention time of Dart's Lake. Neutralization of acidic precipitation in the Adirondack region predominately occurs in the terrestrial system since the hydraulic retention time of Adirondack lakes is short.

• Research Organization: Syracuse Univ., NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5245566
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 21:10; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
ACID RAIN
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
LAKES
MICROORGANISMS
MOUNTAINS
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RAIN
REDUCTION
SEDIMENTS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
WATER CHEMISTRY