Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Acidic deposition and soil processes

Conference · · Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States)
OSTI ID:5878893
The results of the Integrated Lake-Watershed Acidification Study (ILWAS) show that the sensitivity of a watershed to surface water acidification is determined by the flow paths of water through the terrestrial system. If the water infiltrates through the soils into the groundwater system, acid neutralization occurs through weathering reactions involving minerals in the soils and till. Runoff and shallow interflow result in acid surface waters. Flow paths are determined in the ILWAS watersheds by the thickness of the glacial till. Complete neutralization can occur even in areas underlain by sensitive bedrock if the flow path through the mineral horizons is long enough. This appears to hold even in areas outside of the Adirondacks. 11 references, 5 figures.
Research Organization:
Smith College, Northampton, MA
OSTI ID:
5878893
Report Number(s):
CONF-850301-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States) Journal Volume: 12
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English