Atmospheric contributions to water quality of streams in the Hubbard Brook experimental forest, New Hampshire

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1968 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR004i005p01115· OSTI ID:5653952

Fisher, D W; Cambell, A W; Likens, G E; Bormann, F H

The balances of input in atmospheric precipitation and discharge in streams have been determined for selected mineral constituents in three small tributaries to Hubbard Brook in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Inputs and discharge of sulfate, ammonium, and nitrate were calculated from hydrologic data, together with chemical analyses of weekly samples of precipitation and streamwater taken over a 2-year period. The calculations showed that precipitation provides most of the 30-50 kilograms of sulfate per hectare carried annually by the streams and that inputs exceed outflows of ammonium and of nitrate. Maximum effluent bicarbonate and silica concentrations vary directly with each other and inversely with aluminum. Nitrate concentrations of 2 mg/l (milligrams per liter) are observed in early spring. Measurements pf pH indicate that the hydrogen ion is one of the major cations in precipitation over the area. Determinations were made of the discharge of bicarbonate, silica, and aluminum in the streams. Annual stream loads of silica ranged from 20 to 40 kilograms per hectare. Effluent bicarbonate and silica concentrations vary directly with each other and inversely with aluminum.

• OSTI ID: 5653952
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Res.; (United States) Vol. 4; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID CARBONATES
ACID RAIN
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CATIONS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARGED PARTICLES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION I
HYDROGEN IONS
HYDROGEN IONS 1 PLUS
IONS
MINERALS
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
POLLUTION
RAIN
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
STREAMS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WATER POLLUTION
WATER QUALITY