Potential effects of acid deposition on aquatic ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada, California

Thesis/Dissertation · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6309036

Tonnessen, K A

Acid deposition has been measured in California, including areas of the Sierra Nevada, during federal and state sponsored monitoring programs. The mountainous Sierra Nevada is characterized by low-alkalinity, granitic-basin lakes which may be sensitive to acid inputs, particularly during the snowmelt period. The field survey established that lakes located in subalpine basins on the western slope of the Sierra have circumneutral pH's, low alkalinities, and measureable dissolved concentrations of aluminum, iron, and manganese. Microcosm experiments, using 50-liter and 18-liter tanks containing unfiltered water and littoral sediments, were used to describe the behavior of trace metals on plankton populations following a single acid addition that lowered system pH to 4.0. The response of three different lakes varied with respect to changes in pH, alkalinity and carbon concentrations. Acidification effects were most severe for the high-elevation system with coarse-grained, gravelly sediments. During the experiment the acidified systems supported mats of filamentous-green algae, including Mougeotia spp. The data collected during this study have proven useful to decision makers within California in drafting legislation (Kapiloff Acid Deposition Act) authorizing a study of acid deposition, its effects, and possible control strategies.

• OSTI ID: 6309036
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID RAIN
AIR POLLUTION
ALGAE
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CALIFORNIA
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FEDERAL REGION IX
LAKES
NORTH AMERICA
PLANKTON
PLANTS
POLLUTION
RAIN
SURFACE WATERS
USA