Ion Mass Balances and Seasonal Fluxes from Four Acidic Brownwater Streams in Nova Scotia

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 538-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Freedman ◽  
T. A. Clair
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Hydrogen Ion ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Small Magnitude ◽  
Surface Water Chemistry ◽  
Average Value

Precipitation and four brownwater streams in southwestern Nova Scotia were sampled for 3–5 yr. Precipitation cation chemistry was dominated by H+ (44% of cation equivalents) and Na+ (38%), while anions were dominated by Cl− (44%), SO42− (41%), and NO3− (15%); mean annual pH was 4.6, and acidity was correlated with concentrations of SO42− (r = 0.90) and NO3− (r = 0.82). Surface water chemistry was dominated by Na+ (51% of cation equivalents), Mg2+ (17%), and Ca2+ (16%), while H+ averaged only 4%; anions were dominated by Cl− (53%), organic anions (23%), and SO42− (21%); H+ was not strongly related to concentrations of other ionic constituents (the most consistent correlation was with sulfate, but this was weak and accounted for <30% of the variation). Hydrogen ion was consumed in all four watersheds by an average value of >75%. Water flow was by far the strongest determinant of annual pattern of flux of chemical constituents from the watersheds. Seasonal variations of concentration were of relatively small magnitude and had much less influence on patterns of flux.

Seasonal variation in water chemistry over a bog-rich fen gradient in Continental Western Canada

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 587-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale H. Vitt ◽  
Suzanne E. Bayley ◽  
Tai-Long Jin
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Metal Ions ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Hydrogen Ion ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Surface Water Chemistry ◽  
Rich Fen

Surface and subsurface (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m depths) water was sampled weekly in 1989 and biweekly in 1990 during the ice-free season along a bog-rich fen gradient in central Alberta. Acidity–alkalinity were most closely related to peatland type and were the most useful parameters for characterizing peatlands. Potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations were more related to season, year, or peatland–year interactions and cannot be used to categorize the bog–fen gradient. Hydrogen ion, ammonium, alkalinity, and corrected conductivity were relatively constant throughout the ice-free season, while total metal ions (Al, Fe, Mn, and Zn), base cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), nitrate, and components of phosphorus fluctuated seasonally. Nitrate remained constant with depth in all peatland types, whereas ammonium increased with depth. Relationships of surface water chemistry to pH for all sites showed three patterns: a positive and highly significant correlation with little seasonal variation within peatland types (base cations, alkalinity, and corrected conductivity); less significant correlation with strong seasonal variation within peatland types (N and P); and a general negative and highly significant correlation with some seasonal variation in peatland types (metals and S). Water temperatures increased along the bog-rich fen gradient.

Temporal Patterns of Acidification of Rivers in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and their Relationship to Sulphate Emissions

1988 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-541
Author(s):  
G. D. Howell ◽  
P.E.J. Green ◽  
C.A. Field ◽  
B. Freedman
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Sulphur Dioxide ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Hydrogen Ion ◽  
Atlantic Canada ◽  
Atmospheric Loading ◽  
Mineral Acids ◽  
Sulphur Dioxide Emission

Abstract Twenty-eight rivers in Atlantic Canada are sampled monthly, and have periods of record dating back as far as 1965. Statistical analysis of water chemistry for rivers in areas of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland that are believed to be sensitive to acidification has revealed that pH was significantly lower during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Annual hydrogen ion export for selected rivers was also greater during this period. This period of relatively low pH and large hydrogen ion export corresponds to a peak of North American sulphur dioxide emission, suggesting that these rivers may be responding to atmospheric loading of anthropogenic mineral acids.

scholarly journals Tailings Dust Characterization and Impacts on Surface Water Chemistry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Cleaver ◽  
Heather Jamieson ◽  
Carrie Rickwood ◽  
Philippa Huntsman
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Surface Water Chemistry
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