Extent of acidification in Southwestern Québec lakes

This paper presents the results from the first two areas covered by the statistically-oriented Québec Spatial Lake Acidity Monitoring Network (RESSALQ). It is used in combination with the existing LRTAP-Québec temporal network, the Québec precipitation sampling network (REPQ) and a dose-effect model (SIGMA/SLAM) in order to assess the global extent of damages related to acidity, to detect changes in water quality, and to measure the effects of wet sulphate deposition reduction and those of sulphate target loadings on lake acidity. Results obtained with this network were also used in combination with data issued from the Eastern Lake Survey, in order to establish the relative acidity and sensitivity status of lakes in Eastern North America. While Florida has the highest proportion of very acidic and very sensitive lakes, Québec has a higher overall proportion of sensitive and acidic lakes compared to other areas of the United States.