Surficial geologic controls on the sensitivity of two Adirondack lakes to acidification

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Northeast. Env. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6672995

Newton, R M; April, R H

Lakes in two watersheds located in the western Adirondacks have responded differently to similar inputs of acid precipitation. The sensitivities of these two lakes to acidification result from differences in the surficial geology of their watersheds. Woods Lake (pH 4.4-5.1) watershed is composed of dominantly thin till (< 3 m) and bedrock with a thin veneer of aeolian silt in the soil horizons. Panther Lake (pH 5-7.5) watershed is covered wtih predominantly thick till (> 3 m). The hydrologic and physical properties of the surficial materials determine the flow paths along which water flows in its journey to the lake. The thin till and aeolian silt in Woods Lake watershed forces most of the water to flow through the upper soil horizons whereas in Panther Lake watershed the thick and more permeable till allows much deeper ground water flow. Acid water moving along the ground water flow path is neutralized by mineral weathering and cation exchange reactions. In Panther Lake watershed sufficient water moves along this flow path to keep the lake waters neutral most of the year.

• Research Organization: Smith Coll., Northampton, MA
• OSTI ID: 6672995
• Journal Information: Northeast. Env. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Northeast. Env. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 1:3/4; ISSN NOESD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (-1989)
520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ACIDIFICATION
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMISTRY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
GEOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
ION EXCHANGE
IONS
LAKES
MOUNTAINS
PH VALUE
RAIN
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SURFACE WATERS
WATER QUALITY
WATERSHEDS
WEATHERING