Evaluation of the recovery of Adirondack acid lakes by chemical manipulation
This study specifically addressed an evaluation of materials (calcium hydroxide and carbonate, agricultural limestone, fly ash, water treatment plant softening sludge, cement plant by-pass dust) for their neutralizing effectiveness and for establishing a neutral pH buffer system, and an evaluation of the effect of various lake recovery materials on algal growth. Laboratory continuous-flow microcosims were used as models to assess acid lake recovery. These models were filled with actual acid lake water over a layer of lake sediments, subjected to a given chemical treatment, and continuously fed water of selected quality (e.g., acid rain). A simulation of sediment-water-air kinetic interactions on a treated acid lake was obtained by careful monitoring of the microcosm chemical response. Agricultural limestone was determined to be the most appropriate material for acid lake recovery treatment based on its neutralizing properties, assessment of its potential impact on biota, its availability, and its relative cost: the results of this laboratory study suggest that full-scale recovery of an Adirondack acid lake is technically feasible. It is, however, recommended that an acid lake recovery field demonstration project be undertaken. 58 references, 36 figures, 29 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Clarkson Coll. of Tech., Potsdam, NY (USA). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- OSTI ID:
- 5945119
- Report Number(s):
- PB-83-108498
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ACID RAIN
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
LIMING
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ACIDIFICATION
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
ALGAE
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM HYDROXIDES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
FLY ASH
LAKES
LIMESTONE
MICROCOSMS
PLANT GROWTH
AEROSOL WASTES
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
ASHES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE ROCKS
CARBONATES
ECOSYSTEMS
GROWTH
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
MOUNTAINS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
RAIN
RESIDUES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SURFACE WATERS
WASTES
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)