Long-term simulation of decreased acid loading on forested watershed

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1994)120:2(291)· OSTI ID:7173245

Rees, T H ^[1]; Schnoor, J L ^[2]

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1. Golder Associates, Mt. Laurel, NJ (United States)
2. Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

The response of a northeastern US hardwood forest to wet and dry deposition of hydrogen ion and sulfate deposition was performed using the hydrobiogeochemical, lumped-parameter Terrestrial Aquatic Model for Ecosystems (TAME). Results of model calibration and output stream chemistry show that ion-exchange and mineral dissolution processes in the B and C horizons buffer the acidic, ambient atmospheric deposition [864 eq-SO[sub 4][sup [minus]2]/(ha/yr) and 718 eq-H[sup +]/(ha/yr)] in this hydrologically tight and flashy watershed. Watershed response to a 50% decrease in total deposition of acidity over twenty years indicates that the watershed is linear with respect to sulfate (50% decrease in mass outflow) but less responsive with respect to acid neutralizing capacity, ANC (11% increase in stream volume-weighted average ANC concentrations). Only moderate improvements in ANC can be expected from emission controls and decreased sulfate deposition.

• OSTI ID: 7173245
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York); (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York); (United States) Vol. 120:2; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID RAIN
ACIDIFICATION
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
DEPOSITION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FORESTS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRODUCTIVITY
RAIN
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
WATERSHEDS