Geologic and atmospheric input factors affecting watershed chemistry in upper Michigan

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02449948· OSTI ID:6002225

Rapp, G Jr; Liukkonen, B W; Allert, J D; Sorensen, J A ^[1]; Glass, G E ^[2]; Loucks, O L ^[3]

---

1. Univ. of Minnesota, Duluth (United States)
2. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN (United States)
3. Butler Univ., Indianapolis, IN (United States)

The relationships between watershed variables and lakewater chemistry were examined for 53 lakes in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to identify factors influencing lake sensitivity to atmospheric inputs. The lakes lie in three distinct geologic/geomorphic regions. Acid neutralization capacity (ANC), sulfate, and color were correlated with parameters related to atmospheric loading, watershed area and relief, hydrology, geology, and land use for the entire 53-lake set and for lower alkalinity subsets. Acid-neutralizing capacity was related to atmospheric acidic inputs and, in the southern portion of the Upper Peninsula, to the presence of mineralized groundwater inputs. In the north, ANC is correlated with hydrologic lake type and surficial deposits. Results show the highest density of acidified lakes in the northern region, which is underlain by noncalcareous sedimentary rocks. Color was related to lake size and the presence of organic soils in the watershed, whereas lake sulfate concentration was mainly influenced by atmospheric or groundwater inputs, surficial deposits, and soil type.

• OSTI ID: 6002225
• Journal Information: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States) Vol. 9:3; ISSN 0177-5146; ISSN EGWSE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540220 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
ACID RAIN
ACIDIFICATION
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FEDERAL REGION V
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
LAKES
LAND USE
MICHIGAN
NORTH AMERICA
PH VALUE
RAIN
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATERSHEDS