Long-term trends in water chemistry of acid-sensitive Swedish lakes show slow recovery from historic acidification

• DOI: 10.1007/s13280-014-0563-2
• Publication Date: 2014-11-14T22:26:24Z
• Authors: Martyn N. Futter; Salar Valinia; Stefan Löfgren; Stephan J. Köhler; Jens Fölster
• Keywords: Alkalinity; Acid neutralizing capacity; Acid rain; Soil acidification; Base (topology)

Long-term (1987–2012) water quality monitoring in 36 acid-sensitive Swedish lakes shows slow recovery from historic acidification. Overall, strong acid anion concentrations declined, primarily as a result of declines sulfate. Chloride is now the dominant many lakes. Base cation have declined less rapidly than concentrations, leading to an increase charge balance neutralizing capacity. In lakes, modeled organic acidity approximately equal inorganic acidity. The observed trends chemistry suggest may not return reference conditions. Despite deposition, these are still acidified. continue decline and alkalinity only small increases. A changing climate further delay by increasing dissolved carbon sea-salt episodes. More intensive forest harvesting also hamper reducing supply soil base cations.