Cause of pH decline in stream water during spring melt runoff in northern Sweden

2000 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 1888-1900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hjalmar Laudon ◽  
Olle Westling ◽  
Kevin Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Interannual Variation ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Northern Sweden ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
Stream Water Chemistry ◽  
Natural Factors ◽  
Anthropogenic Deposition ◽  
Peak Runoff ◽  
Ph Decrease

This study has sought to distinguish the anthropogenic and natural factors that drive episodic pH decline in northern Sweden. Approximately 600 stream water chemistry samples from 12 streams during the spring melt runoff of 1997 and 1998 were collected. Although the acid deposition levels of the region are relatively low (2-4 kg SO42--S·ha-1·year-1), the pH decline in all of the almost two dozen spring melt events ranged from nearly 1 to 3 pH units. By using the sum of base cation concentration as a dilution index and an organic acid pH model, the sources contributing to the pH decrease were quantified. For a majority of the spring melt events, organic acids contributed over 75% of the acidity at peak runoff (minimum pH). In only three of the monitored events was the anthropogenic SO42- contribution as high as that from natural sources. NO3- did not contribute to the pH decline during spring melt in this study. An interannual variation was observed that was probably due to a larger anthropogenic deposition load during the winter of 1997-1998 and a more rapid snowmelt during the spring of 1998.

scholarly journals Trends and seasonality in stream water chemistry in two moorland catchments of the Upper River Wye, Plynlimon

1997 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 571-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Reynolds ◽  
M. Renshaw ◽  
T. H. Sparks ◽  
S. Crane ◽  
S. Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Solute Concentration ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Water Quality Data ◽  
Agricultural Improvement ◽  
Stream Water Chemistry

Abstract. Stream water chemistry in the Cyff and Gwy subcatchments within the headwaters of the River Wye has been monitored regularly since 1980. In the Gwy, which is a predominantly semi-natural grassland catchment, land use has remained relatively static over the monitoring period, whilst the Cyff catchment is more buffered because of base cation inputs from agricultural improvement and ground water sources. Using a variety of statistical techniques, the long-term data are examined for evidence of trends after eliminating seasonal effects. The results highlight some of the difficulties associated with the analysis of longterm water quality data which show considerable variability over a variety of timescales. Some of this variability can be explained in terms of hydrochemical responses to climatic extremes and episodic events such as large atmospheric inputs of seasalts. The long-term fluctuations in solute concentration underline the continuing need for maintaining consistent long-term monitoring at sensitive upland sites if underlying trends related to gradual changes in pollutant deposition or climate are to be detected with any certainty.

Soil and Stream Water Chemistry During Spring Snowmelt

1992 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Hendershot ◽  
L. Mendes ◽  
H. Lalande ◽  
F. Courchesne ◽  
S. Savoie
Keyword(s):  
Stream Water ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Stream Chemistry ◽  
Stream Water Chemistry ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Adsorption Desorption ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Best Fit ◽  
Spring Snowmelt ◽  
Over Time

In order to determine how water flowpath controls stream chemistry, we studied both soil and stream water during spring snowmelt, 1985. Soil solution concentrations of base cations were relatively constant over time indicating that cation exchange was controlling cation concentrations. Similarly SO4 adsorption-desorption or precipitation-dissolution reactions with the matrix were controlling its concentrations. On the other hand, NO3 appeared to be controlled by uptake by plants or microorganisms or by denitrification since their concentrations in the soil fell abruptly as snowmelt proceeded. Dissolved Al and pH varied vertically in the soil profile and their pattern in the stream indicated clearly the importance of water flowpath on stream chemistry. Although Al increased as pH decreased, the relationship does not appear to be controlled by gibbsite. The best fit of calculated dissolved inorganic Al was obtained using AlOHSO4 with a solubility less than that of pure crystalline jurbanite.

Modelling the long-term response of stream water chemistry to forestry in Galloway, Southwest Scotland

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 396-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.C. Helliwell ◽  
J. Aherne ◽  
T.R. Nisbet ◽  
G. MacDougall ◽  
S. Broadmeadow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Stream Water Chemistry ◽  
Term Response

scholarly journals Are there signs of acidification reversal in freshwaters of the low mountain ranges in Germany?

2001 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Alewell ◽  
M. Armbruster ◽  
J. Bittersohl ◽  
C. D. Evans ◽  
H. Meesenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Drinking Water Supply ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Acid Neutralising Capacity ◽  
Freshwater Acidification ◽  
Low Mountain Ranges

Abstract. The reversal of freshwater acidification in the low mountain ranges of Germany is of public, political and scientific concern, because these regions are near natural ecosystems and function as an important drinking water supply. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status and trends of acidification reversal after two decades of reduced anthropogenic deposition in selected freshwaters of the low mountain ranges in the Harz, the Fichtelgebirge, the Bavarian Forest, the Spessart and the Black Forest. In response to decreased sulphate deposition, seven out of nine streams investigated had significantly decreasing sulphate concentrations (all trends were calculated with the Seasonal Kendall Test). The decrease in sulphate concentration was only minor, however, due to the release of previously stored soil sulphur. No increase was found in pH and acid neutralising capacity (defined by Reuss and Johnson, 1986). Aluminum concentrations in the streams did not decrease. Thus, no major acidification reversal can currently be noted in spite of two decades of decreased acid deposition. Nevertheless, the first signs of improvement in water quality were detected as there was a decrease in the level and frequency of extreme values of pH, acid neutralising capacity and aluminium concentrations in streams. With respect to nitrogen, no change was determined for either nitrate or ammonium concentrations in precipitation or stream water. Base cation fluxes indicate increasing net loss of base cations from all ecosystems investigated, which could be interpreted as an increase in soil acidification. The latter was due to a combination of continued high anion leaching and significant reduction of base cation deposition. No major improvement was noted in biological recovery, however, initial signs of recovery were detectable as there was re-occurrence of some single macroinvertebrate species which were formerly extinct. The results of this study have important implications for water authorities, forest managers and policy makers: the delay in acidification reversal suggests a need for ongoing intensive amelioration of waters, a careful selection of management tools to guarantee sustainable management of forests and the reduction of nitrogen deposition to prevent further acidification of soils and waters. Keywords: freshwater, acidification reversal, drinking water supply, forested catchments, Germany

scholarly journals Riparian zone control on base cation concentration in boreal streams

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 3849-3868 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. J. Ledesma ◽  
T. Grabs ◽  
M. N. Futter ◽  
K. H. Bishop ◽  
H. Laudon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stream Water ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Integration Model ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Zone Control ◽  
Precipitation Regimes

Abstract. Riparian zones (RZ) are a major factor controlling water chemistry in forest streams. Base cations' (BC) concentrations, fluxes, and cycling in the RZ merit attention because a changing climate and increased forest harvesting could have negative consequences, including re-acidification, for boreal surface waters. We present a two-year study of BC and silica (Si) flow-weighted concentrations from 13 RZ and 14 streams in different landscape elements of a boreal catchment in northern Sweden. The spatial variation in BC and Si dynamics in both RZ and streams was explained by differences in landscape element type, with highest concentrations in silty sediments and lowest concentrations in peat-dominated wetland areas. Temporal stability in BC and Si concentrations in riparian soil water, remarkably stable Mg/Ca ratios, and homogeneous mineralogy suggest that patterns found in the RZ are a result of a distinct mineralogical upslope signal in groundwater. Stream water Mg/Ca ratios indicate that the signal is subsequently maintained in the streams. Flow-weighted concentrations of Ca, Mg, and Na in headwater streams were represented by the corresponding concentrations in the RZ, which were estimated using the Riparian Flow-Concentration Integration Model (RIM) approach. Stream and RZ flow-weighted concentrations differed for K and Si, suggesting a stronger biogeochemical influence on these elements, including K recirculation by vegetation and retention of Si within the RZ. Potential increases in groundwater levels linked to forest harvesting or changes in precipitation regimes would tend to reduce BC concentrations from RZ to streams, potentially leading to episodic acidification.

scholarly journals Relationship between stream water chemistry and soil freezing in peat mires in Ochiishi, eastern Hokkaido, Japan

2003 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-376
Author(s):  
Tsutomu IYOBE ◽  
Akira HARAGUCHI ◽  
Fumihiko NISHIO ◽  
Shun'ichi KOBAYASHI
Keyword(s):  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Soil Freezing ◽  
Stream Water Chemistry

Initial Effects of Wood Ash Application on the Stream Water Chemistry in a Boreal Catchment in Central Sweden

2011 ◽  
Vol 221 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 123-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara H. Norström ◽  
Dan Bylund ◽  
Jenny L. K. Vestin ◽  
Ulla S. Lundström
Keyword(s):  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Wood Ash ◽  
Stream Water Chemistry

scholarly journals Using GIS for assessing stream water chemistry in a forested watershed

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-62
Author(s):  
Akiyuki KAWASAKI ◽  
Reiji FUJIMAKI ◽  
Nobuhiro KANEKO ◽  
Satoru SADOHARA
Keyword(s):  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Forested Watershed ◽  
Stream Water Chemistry
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