Acidic deposition along the Appalachian Trail corridor and its effects on acid-sensitive terrestrial and aquatic resources: Results of the Appalachian Trail MEGA-transect atmospheric deposition effects study. Natural Resource Report
Lawrence GB, Sullivan TJ, Burns DA, Bailey SA, Cosby BJ, Dovciak M, Ewing HA, McDonnell TC, Minocha R, Riemann R, Quant J, Rice KC, Siemion J, Weathers K. 2015. Acidic deposition along the Appalachian Trail corridor and its effects on acid-sensitive terrestrial and aquatic resources: Results of the Appalachian Trail MEGA-transect atmospheric deposition effects study. Natural Resource Report. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NRSS/ARD/NRR—2015/996. Fort Collins, Colorado
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT), a unit of the National Park Service (NPS), spans nearly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, encompassing a diverse range of ecosystems. Acidic deposition (acid rain) threatens the AT’s natural resources. Acid rain is a result of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) compounds produced from fossil fuel combustion, motor vehicles, and agricultural practices. The AT is particularly vulnerable to S and N because it passes along ridge tops that receive higher levels of acid rain than lower valley terrain, and these ridges are often underlain by bedrock with minimal ability to buffer acidic inputs. Further, there are numerous S and N emission sources across the region. In the environment, acidic deposition can lower the pH of streams and soils which can ultimately affect fish, invertebrates, and vegetation that inhabit these areas. To address this concern, the MegaTransect Deposition Effects Study evaluated the condition and sensitivity of the AT corridor with respect to acidic deposition, and defined air pollution thresholds (critical and target loads) and recovery rates. Findings indicate that additional S emission reductions are needed to restore the AT.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Lawrence, Gregory; Sullivan, Timothy; Burns, Douglas; Bailey, Scott; Cosby, Bernard; Dovciak, Martin; Ewing, Holly; McDonnell, Todd; Minocha, Rakesh; Riemann, Rachel; Quant, Juliana; Rice, Karen; Siemion, Jason; Weathers, Kathleen
- Date of Issue
- 2015
- Units
- APPA , ARD , NRSS
- Keywords
- Acid Neutralizing Capacity, Appalachian Trail, Atmospheric Deposition, base cation saturation, Critical Load, Magic model, Soil Chemistry, stream chemistry, target load
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Air and Climate | Air Quality | Wet and Dry Deposition