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Diatom paleolimnological evidence for lake acidification in the Trail Ridge region of Florida

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  • Florida Acidic Deposition Conference
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Abstract

As part of the PIRLA projects, diatom-pH transfer equations were used to infer past lakewater chemistries from dated sediment cores. Diatom inferred lakewater acidification appeared to show a strong subregional pattern within Florida. Five lakes were examined from in or near the Trail Ridge region (in the north-central peninsula) and all showed some evidence of recent acidification (>.20 pH units decrease) probably related to acidic deposition. Lakes hi the Panhandle region and the Ocala National Forest (south of Gainesville) did not show evidence of recent anthropogenic acidification, although few acidic clearwater lakes hi the Panhandle were examined. Paleolimnological studies have provided strong evidence for acidification due to acidic deposition in a small subset of lakes from various regions of the United States. This subset is defined geographically by different acidic deposition rates and bedrock types, and by the many limnological factors that contribute to lake pH and buffering capacity. Unfortunately, it is also defined by the small numbers of lakes that have so far been studied.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Indiana University, 47401, Bloomington, IN, USA

    P. Roger Sweets

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  1. P. Roger Sweets
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Sweets, P.R. Diatom paleolimnological evidence for lake acidification in the Trail Ridge region of Florida. Water Air Soil Pollut 65, 43–57 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00482748

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