Long-term research into the effects of acidic deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park : Summary report 1980-1984
Baron J, Beeson DR, Zary SA, Walthall PM, Lindsay WL, Swift DM. 1984. Long-term research into the effects of acidic deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park : Summary report 1980-1984. WRFSL Technical Report No. 84-ROMO-2. National Park Service, Water Resources Division. Fort Collins, Colorado
The biogeochemical processes of several watershed ecosystems in Rocky Mountain National Park have been studied since 1981 to determine if they are being affected by atmospheric acidic deposition. This report tells how this long-term study is being conducted and presents some of the results we have obtained from three years of work (1981- 1983). Our findings to date can be summarized as follows: The high elevation front range ecosystems of Rocky Mountain National Park are extremely vulnerable to acidification from atmospheric deposition. Atmospheric deposition at this time is not acidic, and neither have we found historical trends toward acidification over the past 150 years. The terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the Loch Vale watershed are close to pristine with respect to effects of atmospheric deposition, although increases in lead over time indicate some industrial influence. Should precipitation in the park become more acidic, however, potential for damage could occur for two reasons. First, the bedrock, soils, and surface waters of the park have almost no buffering capacity, so acidic deposition will result in acidic surface waters. Second, should the park's lakes and streams acidify, soil inputs may aggravate the situation by contributing additional acidity and soluble aluminum. Currently, enough interaction occurs within the bedrock, soils, and groundwaters to maintain the pH of the waters in the lakes and streams. However, exceptions occur in the spring, when the sheer volume of water from snowmelt runoff prevents exchange from taking place. The lower elevation waters of Loch Vale are more concentrated and more acidic due to input from surrounding acidic soils.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Baron, Jill; Beeson, David; Zary, Stephen; Walthall, Paul; Lindsay, Willard; Swift, David
- Date of Issue
- 1984-11
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Water Resources Division
- Units
- ROMO , WRD
- Keywords
- acidic, Aquatic Ecosystems, Atmospheric Deposition, Biogeochemical processes, Clemson, Loch Vale Watershed, potential impacts, Soils, soluble aluminum, Surface Water, terrestrial ecosystems, Water Quality, watershed ecosystems, WRBIB