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Sensitivity of Florida Lakes to acidic precipitation

Journal Article · · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)
To assess the potential vulnerability of Florida lakes to damage by acidic precipitation, data from a survey of 165 lakes located in the major physiographic and geologic regions of Florida were used to determine pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and calcite saturation index values. Mean lake pH ranged from 4.1 to 8.9. Mean total alkalinity concentrations ranged from 0 to 4100 ..mu..eq/l and mean calcium hardness concentrations ranged from 20 to 4300 ..mu..eq/l. Total alkalinity averaged below 200 ..mu..eq/l in 49% of the sampled lakes. Based on these data, Florida has a large number of lakes that are vulnerable to reduction in pH and alkalinity by acidic precipitation. Data on chlorophyll a concentrations, zooplankton abundance, and recent fisheries data, however, suggest that Florida lakes may not be as biologically sensitive as the alkalinity and calcite saturation indices might suggest. Low phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations are primarily responsible for reduced animal and plant population in acidic Florida lakes. Consequently, predictions of future impacts or trends based on current sensitivity indices should be regarded with caution.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Florida, Gainesville
OSTI ID:
7019741
Journal Information:
Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Res.; (United States) Vol. 19:3; ISSN WRERA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABUNDANCE
ACID RAIN
AIR POLLUTION
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
DATA
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLORIDA
FORECASTING
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
INFORMATION
LAKES
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
PH VALUE
PLANKTON
POLLUTION
RAIN
SENSITIVITY
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
USA
VARIATIONS
ZOOPLANKTON