Estimated average annual alkalinity of six streams entering Deep Creek Lake Garrett County, Maryland

Book · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5690934

Hodges, A L ^[1]

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1. Geological Survey, Dover, DE (USA)

There is concern that acid rain combined with acid mine drainage from coal mining in the basin will exceed the capacity of the lake to buffer the acid input from these sources. This study was done during 1983 to determine the sources of alkalinity to the lake, and to make a rough estimate of the amount of alkalinity that enters the lake from six streams that drain carbonate and noncarbonate bedrock formations. The Mississippian Greenbrier Formation, which crops out in 5% of the basin, is the only calcareous rock unit. Four streams draining the Greenbrier and two streams draining noncarbonate formations were sampled to assess the contribution of alkalinity to Deep Creek lake. The average annual alkalinity of six sampled streams ranged from 7.6 to 36.8 tons/yr/sq mi of drainage area. The average total alkalinity contributed to Deep Creek Lake by these streams is 161 tons/yr as calcium carbonate. Mass-balance calculations based on very limited data indicate that this alkalinity is derived from both carbonate rocks (Greenbrier Formation) and from weathering and hydrolysis of silicate minerals. Other sources may contribute alkalinity to Deep Creek lake, but could not be quantified within the scope of this study. No changes in stream-water quality were found that could be directly attributed to the stream having crossed the boundary from one noncarbonate bedrock formation to another. Inflow to streams from adjacent or underlying carbonate bedrock was apparent in several streams from increased values of pH and conductance. 20 refs., 5 figs., 7 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 5690934
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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