Woods and Panther lakes in the Adirondack Mountains of New York respond differently to the same acidic deposition. A mathematical model study has shown that lake water becomes acidic when hydrologic conditions force precipitation to flow to the lakes as surface flow or as lateral flow through the shallow organic soil horizon. Hydrographic data, capacity of flow through inorganic soil horizons, runoff recession curves, and groundwater level fluctuations of Woods and Panther lake basins provide independent evidence to support the thesis that the acidic state of a lake depends on the paths the tributary water takes as it passes thorough the terrestrial system. It is concluded thot Panther Lake is more alkaline than Woods Lake, because a larger proportion of the precipitation falling on the basin passes through deeper mineral soil horizons.
An integrated, interdisciplinary, intensive study of three forested watersheds was started in 1977 to quantify the relationship between the deposition of atmospheric acids and surface water acidity. Results indicate the importance of using an integrated ecosystem perspective to assess the vulnerability of surface waters to acidification and the value of analysing relative flowpath contributions to understanding surface water alkalinity levels and dynamics. Important ecosystem properties affecting surface water acidity are soil depth, soil mineralogy and stage of forest development.
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