The episodic acidification of Adirondack lakes during snowmelt

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Water Resources Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR026i007p01639· OSTI ID:5324622

Schaefer, D A; Driscoll, Jr, C T; Van Dreason, R; Yatsko, C P ^[1]

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1. Syracuse Univ., NY (USA)

Maximum values of acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) in Adirondack, New York lake outlets generally occur during summer and autumn. During spring snowmelt, transport of acidic water through acid-sensitive watersheds causes depression of upper lake water ANC. In some systems lake outlet ANC reaches negative values. The authors examined outlet water chemistry from 11 Adirondack lakes during 1986 and 1987 snowmelts. In these lakes, SO{sub 4}{sup 2{minus}} concentrations were diluted during snowmelt and did not depress ANC. For lakes with high baseline ANC values, springtime ANC depressions were primarily accompanied by basic cation dilution. For lakes with low baseline ANC, NO{sub 3}{sup {minus}} increases dominated ANC depressions. Lakes with intermediate baseline ANC were affected by both processes and exhibited larger ANC depressions. Ammonium dilution only affected wetland systems. A model predicting a linear relationship between outlet water ANC minima and autumn ANC was inappropriate. To assess watershed response to episodic acidification, hydrologic flow paths must be considered.

• OSTI ID: 5324622
• Journal Information: Water Resources Research; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resources Research; (United States) Vol. 26:7; ISSN 0043-1397; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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