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Chemistry of small Norwegian lakes, with special reference to acid precipitation 1
Author(s) -
Wright Richard F.,
Henriksen Arne
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1978.23.3.0487
Subject(s) - precipitation , weathering , acid rain , sulfate , environmental chemistry , seawater , chemistry , bicarbonate , throughfall , ion , environmental science , geology , oceanography , geochemistry , meteorology , geography , organic chemistry
The concentrations of major ions were determined in 155 representative, small, pristine lakes in southern Norway. The chemistry of these lakes appears to be governed by three factors: atmospheric inputs of seawater salts supply most of the Cl and Na; acid precipitation supplies most of the SO 4 and H + ; and terrestrial inputs of chemical weathering products account for most of the Ca, Mg, and HCO 3 . The interaction of acid precipitation and geologic environment largely explains pH levels in these lakes. Lakes in granitic terrains have low concentrations of major ions, low buffer capacities, and are often acidic (pH < 5) when located in areas subject to acid precipitation. Sulfate is the major anion. Lakes in granitic terrains that do not receive highly acidic precipitation have pH levels >5.5, and bicarbonate is the major anion.