Long-Term Ecosystem Stress: The Effects of Years of Experimental Acidification on a Small Lake
Schindler DW, Mills KH, Malley DF, Findlay DL, Shearer JA, Davies IJ, Turner MA, Linsey GA, Cruikshank DR. 1985. Long-Term Ecosystem Stress: The Effects of Years of Experimental Acidification on a Small Lake. Science. 228(4706):1395-1401
Experimental acidification of a small lake from an original pH value of 6.8 to 5.0 over an 8-year period caused a number of dramatic changes in the lake's food web. Changes in phytoplankton species, cessation of fish reproduction, disappearance of the benthic crustaceans, and appearance of filamentous algae in the littoral zone were consistent with deductions from synoptic surveys of lakes in regions of high acid deposition. Indications are that irreversible stresses on aquatic ecosystems occur earlier in the acidification process than was heretofore believed. These changes are caused by hydrogen ion alone, and not by the secondary effect of aluminum toxicity. (authors' abstract)
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Schindler, D; Mills, K; Malley, D; Findlay, D; Shearer, J; Davies, I; Turner, M; Linsey, G; Cruikshank, D
- Units
- VOYA
- Keywords
- Acid Deposition, Acid Rain, Acidification, Aquatic Ecosystems, Aquatic Studies, Atmospheric Sciences, Experimental Studies, Food Web, Lakes & Ponds