Book chapter
Acidification of Aquatic and Terrestrial Systems
Chemical Processes in Lakes, pp.311-338
Environmental science and technology, John Wiley and Sons
1985
Abstract
The global environment is on the average, with regard to a proton and electron balance, in a stationary state. Schematically, the oxidation states and the H(+) reservoirs of the weathering sources equal those of the sedimentary products. Obviously, such balances are locally and regionally upset. In addition, they have become significantly disturbed by the combustion of fossil fuels which generates a net production of H(+) ions in atmospheric deposition. It is shown here how this disturbance is transferred to the terrestrial and aquatic environment, and the major H(+) yielding and H(+) consuming processes occurring in the watersheds are reviewed, paying special attention (1) to the disturbance of the H(+) balance resulting from temporal or spatial decoupling of the production and mineralization of the biomass, and (2) to the H(+) ion consumption by the weathering of rocks. The aggradation of vegetation (productive forests) may be accompanied by acidification of surrounding waters. In some instances, the acidic atmospheric deposition may be sufficient to disturb the existing H(+) balance between aggrading vegetation and weathering reactions. Chemical weathering is shown to be a key process in neutralizing the internal production and the anthropogenic input of acids to a watershed. The lakes which have been acidified by acid precipitation are those lacking carbonate minerals and characterized by sensitive hydrological settings. (See also W87-01626) (Author 's abstract)
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Acidification of Aquatic and Terrestrial Systems
- Creators
- J L SchnoorW Stumm
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Chemical Processes in Lakes, pp.311-338
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons; New York, NY
- Series
- Environmental science and technology
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 1985
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health; Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9983997968002771
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