Major ion loadings to Lake Superior

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978 · J. Great Lakes Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0380-1330(78)72206-9· OSTI ID:5654058

Thompson, M E

A method of predicting tributary loadings of major ions to Lake Superior is described, making use of the water budget and chemical composition of Lake Superior, and of data on the chemistry of atmospheric precipitation on or around the lake. Predicted tributary loadings are compared with tributary water chemistry, and the basic assumptions of the procedure are confirmed: Chemical weathering in the basin is the principal source of calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate ions to the lake; the atmosphere is the major source of sulphate and chloride to the lake and to its basin. Both the predicted loadings and the river chemistry loadings estimates indicate an excess loading, mainly atmospheric in origin, of chloride and sulphate, but because the lake volume is so great, increases in concentrations of these ions in the open waters of the lake will not be detectable for several decades.

• OSTI ID: 5654058
• Journal Information: J. Great Lakes Res.; (United States), Vol. 4:3-4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHLORIDES
WATER CHEMISTRY
LAKE SUPERIOR
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
SULFATES
AIR POLLUTION
AIR-WATER INTERACTIONS
DEPOSITION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
PRECIPITATION SCAVENGING
CHEMISTRY
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
GREAT LAKES
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
LAKES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)