Quick Search:    advanced search

GSW Home   GeoRef Home   My GSW Alerts   Contact GSW   About GSW   Journals List   Help

Journal of the Geological Society

This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by BRICKER, O. P. Search for Related Content GeoRef GeoRef Citation

Geochemical investigations of selected Eastern United States watersheds¹ affected by acid deposition

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Va. 22092 USA

The effects of acid deposition on surface waters in eastern United States watersheds having similar size, physiography, climate and land use are related to the composition of the underlying bedrock. Watersheds developed on greenstone, calcareous shale, sandstone, granite, and schist differ in their ability to neutralize acid deposition. Surface waters in watersheds developed on greenstone and calcareous shale are not discernably affected by acidification. Wastersheds developed on sand-stone have little capacity to neutralize acid rain; consequently, stream acidity is similar to that of precipitation. Watersheds developed on granite and schist are intermediate in their capacity to neutralize acid deposition. Bedrock composition appears to be the major property controlling surface-water chemistry in these systems; hydrologic flow paths and the nature of surficial materials and vegetation also influence chemical responses to acid deposition in watersheds.