Predicting the vulnerability of streams to episodic acidification and potential effects on aquatic biota in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia /

Acidic deposition is one of the most serious environmental problems affecting Shenandoah National Park in north-central Virginia. The park is the third most contaminated park in the National Park System because of the deposition of acid rain. Acid rain affects headwater streams in the park by tempor...

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Bibliographic Details
Corporate Authors:	United States. National Park Service, Geological Survey (U.S.)
Other Authors:	Rice, Karen C.
Format:	Government Document eBook
Language:	English
Published:	Reston, Va. : U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, 2006.
Series:	Scientific investigations report ; 2005-5259.
Subjects:	Acid deposition > Virginia > Shenandoah National Park. Water quality biological assessment > Virginia > Shenandoah National Park. Water > Pollution potential > Virginia > Shenandoah National Park.
Online Access:	https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS100181

Description
Summary:	Acidic deposition is one of the most serious environmental problems affecting Shenandoah National Park in north-central Virginia. The park is the third most contaminated park in the National Park System because of the deposition of acid rain. Acid rain affects headwater streams in the park by temporarily reducing the acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC) of the water, a process termed episodic acidification. In turn, the increase in acidic components in streamwater can have deleterious effects on the aquatic biota. Although acidic deposition to the park is relatively uniform across its land area, the water-quality response of streamwater during rain events varies substantially. This response is a function of the underlying geology and topographic attributes of watersheds. Geologic and topographic data for the park's 231 watersheds are readily available; however, long-term (years and tens of years) measurements of streamwater ANC and accompanying discharge are not and would be prohibitively expensive to collect. Modeled predictions of the vulnerability of the park's streams to episodic acidification are an alternative to long-term water-quality monitoring. These predictions can aid park officials in making management decisions.
Item Description:	Title from title screen (viewed on Oct. 1, 2007). Electronic resource.
Physical Description:	vii, 51 pages : digital, PDF file.
Format:	Mode of access: Internet at the USGS web site. Address as of 8/18/08: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2005/5259/sir05%5F5259.pdf ; current access is available via PURL.
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 35-37).