Trends in lake chemistry in response to atmospheric deposition and climate in selected Class I wilderness areas in Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, 1993-2009

Mast, M. Alisa; Ingersoll, George P.

doi:10.3133/sir20115123

Cited by 1 publication

(4 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The temporal pattern in stream nitrate concentrations in LV was found to be similar to those of other high-elevation areas of the Front Range, indicating that it is representative of a regional trend. Figure shows trends in summer nitrate concentrations during 1992–2011 at 14 lakes in different areas of the Front Range . As observed in LV, some of the increase in the mid-2000s likely reflects the influence of the 2002 drought.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…Increased nitrate concentrations in high-elevation streams and lakes in the Front Range during the past decade were noted in previous studies, [25][26][27]38,49 and several investigators concluded the response indicates thawing of glacial and permafrost features caused by increasing air temperatures. At nearby Green Lakes Valley (GLV), discharge during September and October was reported to have increased nearly 50% since 1980, which was attributed to thawing of ice-rich permafrost on north-facing slopes.…”

Section: ■ Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Figure 7 shows trends in summer nitrate concentrations during 1992−2011 at 14 lakes in different areas of the Front Range. 38 As observed in LV, some of the increase in the mid-2000s likely reflects the influence of the 2002 drought. Despite this complicating factor, lake concentration patterns were very similar to those of total inorganic N concentrations at highelevation NADP sites (Figure 3B), supporting the conclusion that deposition is an important influence on nitrate export.…”

Section: ■ Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Summer nitrate concentrations at 14 high-elevation lakes (3140–3855 m) in the Colorado Front Range. Data are from ref .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Links between N Deposition and Nitrate Export from a High-Elevation Watershed in the Colorado Front Range

Mast

Clow²,

Baron

et al. 2014

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Long-term patterns of stream nitrate export and atmospheric N deposition were evaluated over three decades in Loch Vale, a high-elevation watershed in the Colorado Front Range. Stream nitrate concentrations increased in the early 1990 s, peaked in the mid-2000s, and have since declined by over 40%, coincident with trends in nitrogen oxide emissions over the past decade. Similarities in the timing and magnitude of N deposition provide evidence that stream chemistry is responding to changes in atmospheric deposition. The response to deposition was complicated by a drought in the early 2000s that enhanced N export for several years. Other possible explanations, including forest disturbance, snow depth, or permafrost melting, could not explain patterns in N export. Our results show that stream chemistry responds rapidly to changes in N deposition in high-elevation watersheds, similar to the response observed to changes in sulfur deposition.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%