Chemical and physical characteristics of lakes in the northeastern United States

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Environmental Science and Technology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00167a004· OSTI ID:5674199

Brakke, D F; Landers, D H; Eilers, J M ^[1]

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1. Western Washington Univ., Bellingham (USA)

The chemical status of 768 lakes in the northeastern US was determined as part of the Eastern Lake Survey. The lakes were selected statistically, allowing for estimates of the chemical conditions in the northeastern lake population on the basis of 26 measured parameters. The objectives were to estimate the numbers of acidic (acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) {<=} 0) and low-ANC ({<=}50 {mu}equiv/L) lakes in the Northeast and to describe associated chemical conditions in the lakes. The largest number of acidic lakes in the Northeast was estimated for the Adirondack area of New York, whereas the fewest acidic lakes were estimated to occur in Maine. Sulfate concentrations were lowest in Maine and highest in the Poconos/Catskills, corresponding to the pattern in sulfate deposition. Acidic lakes were associated with low levels of base cations (calcium and magnesium) and elevated sulfate levels. Clear water, acidic lakes also had elevated concentrations of aluminum. Acidic lakes were not uniformly distributed in the Northeast. The distribution of acidic lakes was influenced principally by concentrations of sulfate and base cations, among other factors such as lake type and hydrologic flow path. The data collected during the Eastern Lake Survey support the hypothesis that regional lake acidification has occurred in the northeastern US.

• OSTI ID: 5674199
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology; (USA) Vol. 22:2; ISSN ESTHA; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALUMINIUM
AMMONIA
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
CALCIUM
CARBON
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CHEMISTRY
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
DATA
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
IRON
LAKES
MAGNESIUM
MANGANESE
METALS
MOUNTAINS
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POTASSIUM
SODIUM
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER CHEMISTRY