Chemical characteristics and acid sensitivity of boreal headwater lakes in northwest Saskatchewan.
Dates
Publication Date
2010
Citation
Scott, K.A., Wissel, B., Gibson, J.J, and Birks, J.S., 2010, Chemical characteristics and acid sensitivity of boreal headwater lakes in northwest Saskatchewan.: Journal of Limnology 69, no. 1 (2010): 33-44.
Summary
Conclusions: Elevation, slope and the percentages of bogs and fens in a landscape influence the degree to which mid-boreal lakes are sensitive to acidic deposition orignating from nearby mining operations. Thresholds/Learnings: Synopsis: This study evaluates the acid sensitivity of lakes in Saskatchewan within ~300km of Fort McMurray. The study area is downwind of atmospheric emissions sources from regional oil sands mining operations and there is concern that the lakes may be threatened by acidification. A helicopter sampling program was implemented in late September 2007 and 2008 to measure 16 chemical variables (e.g., Ca, Mg, Na, pH) and 15 environmental variables (e.g., latitude, elevation, slope, percent bog, percent fen) for [...]
Summary
Conclusions:
Elevation, slope and the percentages of bogs and fens in a landscape influence the degree to which mid-boreal lakes are sensitive to acidic deposition orignating from nearby mining operations.
Thresholds/Learnings:
Synopsis: This study evaluates the acid sensitivity of lakes in Saskatchewan within ~300km of Fort
McMurray. The study area is downwind of atmospheric emissions sources from regional oil sands
mining operations and there is concern that the lakes may be threatened by acidification. A helicopter
sampling program was implemented in late September 2007 and 2008 to measure 16 chemical variables
(e.g., Ca, Mg, Na, pH) and 15 environmental variables (e.g., latitude, elevation, slope, percent bog,
percent fen) for 259 headwater lakes. Acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) was used as an index of the
extent of surface water acidification and sensitivity to acidification. A high degree of acid sensitivity was
found among the lakes: 60% were sensitive and 8% were highly sensitive. The remaining 32% of the
lakes were well buffered to acid deposition.
Added to ScienceBase on Thu Feb 20 15:25:46 UTC 2014 by processing file <b>LandscapePattern_Database_5_9_AMENDED_MattsBibEdits_v2.xlsx</b> Augmented by Bray J. Beltrán Feb 16, 2015
