Major ion loadings to Lake Superior

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 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), Journal Name: J. Great Lakes Res.; (United States) Vol. 4:3-4; ISSN JGLRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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