A Screening Procedure for Identifying Acid-Sensitive Lakes from Catchment Characteristics

• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-005-3853-0
• Publication Date: 2005-05-03T12:51:18Z
• Authors: N. H. Berg; A. Gallegos; T. Dell; J. Frazier; T. Procter; J. Sickman; S. Grant; T. Blett; M. Arbaugh
• Keywords: Geological Phenomena; Fresh Water; Geology; Acid Rain; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; California; 6. Clean water; Water Supply; 13. Climate action; Geographic Information Systems; Linear Models; Environmental Monitoring; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Monitoring of Wilderness lakes for potential acidification requires information on lake sensitivity to acidification. Catchment properties can be used to estimate the acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of lakes. Conceptual and general linear models were developed to predict the ANC of lakes in high-elevation (> or = 2170 m) Wilderness Areas in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Catchment-to-lake area ratio, lake perimeter-to-area ratio, bedrock lithology, vegetation cover, and lake headwater location are significant variables explaining ANC. The general linear models were validated against independently collected water chemistry data and were used as part of a first stage screen to identify Wilderness lakes with low ANC. Expanded monitoring of atmospheric deposition is essential for improving the predictability of lake ANC.