Rocky Mountain acidification study
The objectives of this report were to determine the sensitivity of watersheds characteristic of the Rocky Mountain Region and the relationship of watershed sensitivity to geology and soils; to evaluate the extent of current acidification and the potential for increasing acidification with increasing deposition of nitrate and sulfate; to evaluate the results of the preceding in terms of impacts on fish populations; and to develop recommendations for assessment of future trends in both changing water chemistry and impacts on fish populations. Areas selected for study included the Rocky Mountain National Ppark and Yellowstone National Park, exemplifying two different geologic types that are representative of a large portion of the Rocky Mountain region. Rocky Mountain National Park is primarily underlain by granite and Yellowstone National Park by volcanic materials. Sensitivity is primarily determined by bedrock geology and varies inversely with elevation. High-elevation lakes and streams in the central Rocky Mountain region are very sensitive to acidic deposition. With respect to fish populations there is currently no evidence of chronic acidification and thus no apparent impact on fisheries. However, the very low base cation concentration observed in the headwater drainages of Rocky Mountain National Park suggests extreme sensitivity to acidification. Waters in volcanic areas such as Yellowstone National Park are generally of high alkalinity and do not represent potentially sensitive habitats. 109 references, 31 figures, 24 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Fish and Wildlife Service, Kearneysville, WV (USA). Eastern Energy and Land Use Team
- OSTI ID:
- 7193067
- Report Number(s):
- FWS/OBS-80/40.17; ON: TI84901174
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ACIDIFICATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
AMMONIA
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CALCIUM
CHLORIDES
MAGNESIUM
NITRATES
PHOSPHATES
POTASSIUM
ROCKY MOUNTAINS
WATERSHEDS
SODIUM
SULFATES
BIOTITE
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FISHES
GEOCHEMISTRY
GRANITES
NATURE RESERVES
PH VALUE
SOILS
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CHEMISTRY
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
DATA
ECOSYSTEMS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
INFORMATION
METALS
MICA
MINERALS
MOUNTAINS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLUTONIC ROCKS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SILICATE MINERALS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES
510200* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)