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RECORD NUMBER: 29 OF 33

Main Title Stream Chemistry in the Eastern United States. 1. Synoptic Survey Design, Acid-Base Status, and Regional Patterns.
Author Kaufman, P. R. ; Herlihy, A. T. ; Mitch, M. E. ; Messer, J. J. ; Overton, W. S. ;
CORP Author Utah Water Research Lab., Logan. ;Oregon State Univ., Corvallis. Dept. of Statistics.;Corvallis Environmental Research Lab., OR.
Publisher c1991
Year Published 1991
Report Number EPA/600/J-91/105;
Stock Number PB91-206987
Additional Subjects Streams ; Water chemistry ; Acidification ; Water pollution ; Water quality ; Pollution sources ; Base flow ; Watersheds ; pH ; Regional analysis ; Hydrology ; Natural emissions ; Site surveys ; Acid neutralizing capacity ; Deposition ; Air water interactions ; Air pollution ; Sulfates ; Reprints ; Eastern Region(United States) ; Organic ions ; National Stream Survey
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NTIS  PB91-206987 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 19p
Abstract
To assess the regional acid-base status of streams in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, spring baseflow chemistry was surveyed in a probability sample of 500 stream reaches representing a population of 64,300 reaches. Approximately half of the streams had acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) < 200 microeq/L. Acidic streams were located in the highlands of the Mid-Atlantic Region, in coastal lowlands of the Mid-Atlantic, and in Florida. Acidic streams were rare in the highlands of the Southeast. Inorganic monomeric aluminum concentrations were highest in acidic streams of the Mid-Atlantic Highlands where over 70% of the acidic streams had Al(sub im) greater than 100 microg/L, a concentration above which deleterious biological effects have frequently been reported. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations were much higher in lowland coastal streams, compared with inland streams. The authors data support a hypothesis that atmospheric sources and retention control regional patterns in streamwater sulfate concentrations. Most stream watersheds apparently retain the vast majority of total nitrogen loading from wet deposition. The data suggest, however, that atmospheric nitrogen may be reaching streams in the Northern Appalachians. These results show that acidic surface waters are found outside the glaciated Northeastern portions of the U.S. and that watershed sulfate retention is not sufficient to prevent acidic conditions in some Mid-Atlantic Highlands streams. (Copyright (c0 1991 by the American Geophysical Union.)