Changes in the Chemistry of Small Irish lakes

Abstract

A re-survey of acid-sensitive lakes in Ireland (initial survey 1997) was carried out during spring 2007 (n = 60). Since 1997, atmospheric emissions of sulfur dioxide and deposition of non-marine sulfate (SO 4 2-) in Ireland have decreased by *63 and 36%, respectively. Comparison of water chemistry between surveys showed significant decreases in the concentration of SO 4 2-, nonmarine SO 4 2-, and non-marine base cations. In concert, alkalinity increased significantly; however, no change was observed in surface water pH and total aluminum. High inter-annual variability in sea salt inputs and increasing (albeit non-significant) dissolved organic carbon may have influenced the response of pH and total aluminum (as *70% is organic aluminum). Despite their location on the western periphery of Europe, and dominant influence from Atlantic air masses, the repeat survey suggests that the chemistry of small Irish lakes has shown a significant response to reductions in air pollution driven primarily by the implementation of the Gothenburg Protocol under the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution.

Trace Metals in Upland Headwater Lakes in Ireland

“…In Ireland, a repeat lake survey (n = 60) assessing the changes in chemistry of small headwater lakes between 1997 and 2007 indicated significant decreases in lake SO 4 2-, nmSO 4 2-, and Ca 2? along with increases in alkalinity owing to decreases in acidic deposition (Burton and Aherne 2012). However, no change in total Al concentrations was observed owing to increased DOC (suggesting increases in the non-labile fraction; 47 % of total Al in the current study).…”

“…1). The study lakes were a sub-set of an acid-status lake survey conducted in 1997 (Aherne et al 2002) and re-surveyed during -2008(Whitfield et al 2011Burton and Aherne 2012). Lakes were pseudo-randomly selected based on bedrock geology and soil characteristics, with greater weighting towards higher elevation, acid-sensitive regions (for further details see Aherne et al 2002).…”

Fate and Transport of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Upland Irish Headwater Lake Catchments

“…The study sites were located in acid-sensitive moorland regions [20]; the catchments were dominated by organic soils and the vegetation was primarily Calluna vulgaris along with various graminoid (e.g., sedges and grasses) and bryophyte (e.g., mosses and lichens) species. The catchments ranged in size from 1.90 to 63.4 ha (mean: 19.1 ha) and elevation ranged from 493 to 713 masl (mean: 590 masl).…”

Long-term trends in water chemistry of acid-sensitive Swedish lakes show slow recovery from historic acidification

“…Long-term lake monitoring to assess recovery from acidification has been conducted in Scandinavia (Skjelkvåle et al 2007 ), Finland (Vuorenmaa and Forsius 2008 ), Italy (Rogora et al 2013 ), Ireland (Burton and Aherne 2012 ), Canada (Keller 2009 ; Clair et al 2011 ), the United States (Waller et al 2012 ), and the United Kingdom (Monteith et al 2014 ). While acid deposition is a significant problem in China (Larssen et al 2006 ) and other parts of south Asia (Hicks et al 2008 ), long time series showing acidification effects on lake water chemistry are lacking.…”