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Comparing and assessing acid rain-sensitive ponds.

W G Hagar1, B A Crosby, B W Stallsmith

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts-Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA. william.hagar@umb.edu

Journal of Hazardous Materials
|April 27, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Acidic precipitation significantly lowered the pH of Maquan Pond, a sensitive freshwater ecosystem. Furnace Pond, with higher alkalinity, showed resilience to acid rain events.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Limnology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Freshwater pond ecosystems are susceptible to environmental changes.
  • Acid precipitation poses a threat to aquatic life and water quality.
  • Understanding pond pH dynamics is crucial for ecological health assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To continuously monitor and compare pH and temperature changes in two Massachusetts freshwater ponds.
  • To assess the differential sensitivity of Maquan Pond and Furnace Pond to acid precipitation.
  • To investigate the impact of environmental factors on pond water chemistry and planktonic distribution.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a remote-sensing system for continuous data collection from 1990-1993.
  • Employed a pH meter with a combination electrode and a portable computer for data logging.

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  • Recorded pH and temperature data every 10 minutes.

    • Main Results:

    • Maquan Pond (avg. pH 6.0, alkalinity 7.4 mg/L) showed significant pH drops to as low as 4.0 during acidic precipitation events.
    • Furnace Pond (avg. pH 6.9, alkalinity 14.9 mg/L) demonstrated resilience, with precipitation not altering its pH.
    • Both ponds exhibited seasonal and diel pH variations linked to biological activity, and Maquan Pond showed altered planktonic distribution.

    Conclusions:

    • Maquan Pond is highly sensitive to acid precipitation, experiencing drastic pH fluctuations.
    • Furnace Pond's higher alkalinity provides buffering capacity against acidic inputs.
    • Differential sensitivity impacts aquatic ecosystems, influencing plankton communities and overall pond health.