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Assessment of episodic acidification in the Sierra Nevada, California. Final report, 1987-1989

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7192529

Researchers compiled data on 168 low-ANC lakes in the Sierra Nevada, California. They then formulated an Episodic Event Model (EEM) that was used to simulate lake ANC during snowmelt episodes. During snowmelt the surface water ANC is near zero due to dilution from snowmelt. During this period acidification can occur should acidic rain enter the watershed. Using the EEM to simulate a 20-day runoff event at snowmelt, the model results indicate that about 80% of the lakes considered would reach an ANC less than 40 micro eq/l. There are insufficient spatial or temporal data on the chemistry or amount of deposition to high-elevation areas in the Sierra. Also, the model assumes no interaction between the watershed and incoming deposition.

Research Organization:
Department of Energy, Washington, DC (USA). Div. of Conservation Research and Technology
OSTI ID:
7192529
Report Number(s):
PB-90-157504/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English