During the summer of 1999, we began a comprehensive sampling and analysis program of the Canacadea Creek watershed. This was the beginning of what we plan to be a long-term study, which continued throughout the academic year (‘99-’00) and the summer of 2000. The watershed, as we define it, encompasses all of the land area (~1.2 square miles) that ultimately contributes water to the Canacadea Creek upstream of the Alfred University Environmental Studies Program stream gaging facility. As part of the study, we collected precipitation, ground water and stream water and analyzed them for several dissolved constituents, including sulfate and nitrate, which are the principal anionic components of acid precipitation.

Scientists have known for decades that sulfur and nitrogen compounds released to the atmosphere during fossil fuel combustion are the primary causes of acid precipitation. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3) are created in the atmosphere by reactions of sulfur and nitrogen compounds with naturally occurring water vapor and oxygen. The effects of these acids on ecosystems have been the focus of numerous field and laboratory investigations since the phenomenon of acid precipitation was first recognized. Among other problems, acid precipitation has been linked to deleterious effects on fish populations in lakes and streams increased stress on and reduced growth of vegetation acidification of surface waters, changes in nutrient cycling and uptake in forests, changes in mobilization of metals in geologic materials and significant alteration of soil biota communities. The Clean Air Act of 1990 legislated significant reductions in the quantities of sulfur and nitrogen compounds that are being released in the United States, especially by power plants and industries, but precipitation falling on parts of North America is still acidic and harmful effects are still being experienced, particularly in the northeastern states. The effects of acid input may be felt for a very long time (almost certainly decades, perhaps centuries, perhaps even longer) because ecosystem recovery often proceeds slowly. In fact, even though sulfur emissions have been decreasing steadily and nitrogen emissions have remained relatively constant over the past decade, recent studies have shown that the acid neutralizing capacity of many lakes and streams in the northeastern states remains small. As a result, the recovery of these ecosystems from the effects of acidification is not proceeding as hoped.

TO READ MORE BACKGROUND INFO ON WATERSHED STUDIES...

1) how do sulfate and nitrate (and their associated acids) behave in the watershed;

2) what effect is acid precipitation having on the other chemical constituents in the watershed (e.g. is it mobilizing metals? is it causing the depletion of base cations and therefore affecting soil fertility?)

3) what acid-neutralizing reactions are going on in the watershed and how is Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC) or alkalinity being generated?

4) how does the degree and type of development in the watershed affect the behavior of sulfate and nitrate (and their associated acids)?