Estimates of acidification of lakes in the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area, Colorado

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR023i009p01757· OSTI ID:7196647

Turk, J T; Campbell, D H

Seventy lakes in the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area, Colorado, were sampled for alkalinity, and 20 of these lakes were sampled for major anions. Analysis of the data indicates that most of the lakes are extremely sensitive to acidification; about half of the lakes have alkalinities less than 100 ..mu..eq/L. A linear regression of alkalinity against lake altitude accounts for 55% of the variance in alkalinity among the lakes, whereas a regression of alkalinity against dominant geologic unit (exclusive of altitude) accounts for 63% of the alkalinity variance. A conceptual model of lake acidification allows estimation of the quantity of acidification that may have occurred. Acidity associated with strong acid anions probably neutralized no more than 9 ..mu..eg/L of alkalinity. This estimate is much smaller than a previous estimate for nearby Colorado lakes.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Lakewoood, CO (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7196647
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Res.; (United States) Vol. 23:9; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
ACID RAIN
ACIDIFICATION
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMISTRY
COLORADO
DATA ACQUISITION
FEDERAL REGION VIII
LAKES
NORTH AMERICA
RAIN
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WATER CHEMISTRY