Abstract |
Because of the increasing trend in precipitation acidity and the frequent occurrence of storm events in the Southeast, a storm event sampling program was conducted on two streams located in SW Arkansas. The streams are representative of the streams in the Ouachita Mountain area of SW Arkansas and SE Oklahoma. With the exception of a relatively small area in the central portion of the Ouachita Mountains, the geological formations are composed primarily of sandstone and shale. These streams have low specific conductance and low buffering capacity and are potentially susceptible to acidic precipitation. Base flow and storm event water chemistry and flow were measured on two SW Arkansas streams, and used to calculate seasonal/annual budgets for base cations, sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen, and hydrogen ion. Storm event hydrographs and chemographs were evaluated to assess the effects of acidic deposition on short-term acidification. |