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PREDICTING BASEFLOW ALKALINITY AS AN INDEX TO EPISODIC STREAM ACIDIFICATION AND FISH PRESENCE 1
Author(s) -
DeWalle David R.,
Dinicola Richard S.,
Sharpe William E.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1987.tb00781.x
Subject(s) - baseflow , alkalinity , geology , hydrology (agriculture) , streams , carbonate , drainage basin , fontinalis , trout , salvelinus , streamflow , fishery , chemistry , geography , fish <actinopterygii> , computer network , cartography , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , computer science , biology
Regression models to predict baseflow alkalinity from basin hydrogeology were developed and verified for headwater streams on the Laurel Hill anticline in southwestern Pennsylvania. Predicted baseflow alkalinities were then used to estimate sensitivity to acidification and presence of trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis ) populations for 61 headwater streams. Sensitivity classifications were verified by surveying trout populations. Geologic variables relating to the carbonate rock burial depth, extent of carbonate rock recharge areas, and length of stream channel flowing through effluent carbonate rock outcrops were much more useful in predicting baseflow alkalinity than areal extent of carbonate rocks. Baseflow alkalinity was not well related to status of trout populations on these anticlinal basins, especially on noneffluent basins where bedrock dip exceeded surface slope.