Estimation of Critical Loads of Acidity for Lakes in Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada |
| |
Authors: | J Dupont T A Clair C Gagnon D S Jeffries J S Kahl S J Nelson J M Peckenham |
| |
Institution: | (1) Quebec Ministry of the Environment, East Rene-Levesque Blvd, Quebec City, Canada;(2) Environment Canada, Atlantic Region, Waterfowl Lane, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada;(3) Centre St-Laurent, Environment Canada, Montreal, Quebec, Canada;(4) NWRI, Burlington, Ontario, Canada;(5) Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA |
| |
Abstract: | The New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) adopted the Acid Rain Action Plan in June 1998, and issued a series of action items to support its work toward a reduction of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in northeastern North America. One of these action items was the preparation of an updated critical load map using
data from lakes in the NEG/ECP area. Critical load maps provide a more complete index of the surface water sensitivity to
acidification. Combined sulfur and nitrogen critical loads and deposition exceedances were computed using Henriksen's Steady-State
Water Chemistry (SSWC) model. Results show that 28% of all 2053 lakes studied have a critical load of 20 kg/ha/year or less,
making them vulnerable to acid deposition. Emission reductions, and more specifically SO2 emission reductions have proven beneficial because critical loads were exceeded in 2002 for 12.3% of all studied lakes. Those
lakes are located in the more sensitive areas where geology is carbonate-poor. Of these lakes, 2.9% will never recover even
with a complete removal of SO4 deposition. Recovery from acidification for the remaining 9.4% of the lakes will require additional emission SO2 reductions. |
| |
Keywords: | acid rain critical loads deposition lakes sensitivity SSWC model |
本文献已被 PubMed SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|