Application of a geographic information system in the study of acidic deposition

Conference · Wed Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5887726

Olson, R J

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Geographic Information System (GIS) is a primary tool for data base management, analysis, and graphic display in the assessment of acidic deposition effects on aquatic resources in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. Functions of the ORNL GIS include: (1) data input and digitizing; (2) data transformation and manipulation; (3) data management and extraction; (4) integration and analysis; and (5) output and display. The GIS utilized ''watershed units,'' defined by digitizing boundaries drawn on large-scale topographic maps, to serve as common spatial units for integrating over 200 thematic variables for 463 headwater lakes. Many of the thematic variables used in the assessment involved manipulating several spatial data sets with specific algorithms to calculate levels of stress or natural conditions that could affect the aquatic resources. For example, precipitation amount and pollutant ionic concentrations were merged to estimate deposition values for each lake. Central to the GIS work is a data base management and statistical package to use with the thematic data base to develop multiple linear regression models for lake pH and alkalinity with watershed variables. Communication of the results of the assessment with computer-generated maps facilitated the understanding of complex spatial patterns and multiple geo-referenced data sets.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5887726
• Report Number(s): CONF-860161-1; ON: DE86008220
• Resource Relation: Conference: Geographic information systems for environmental protection, Las Vegas, NV, USA, 22 Jan 1986; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
DATA ANALYSIS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
NAPAP
NEW YORK
PH VALUE
SOILS
WATERSHEDS
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
ECOSYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION II
MOUNTAINS
NORTH AMERICA
RAIN
USA
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)