Abstract
A survey of 1592 lakes ( >4 ha and ≤ 2,000 ha) was conducted in Fall, 1984. The study area was three regions of the eastern United States (Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Southeast) expected to contain the most lakes with acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) ≤400 μeq/L. The design of the survey provides statistically reliable estimates of the number, location and chemical characteristics of lakes in the study area. Frequency distribution statistics are presented for pH, ANC, sulfate and organic anion. The highest percentages and numbers of acidic lakes occurred in Florida, the Adirondaks, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The highest percentages and numbers of lakes with high sulfate concentrations occurred in the Poconos/Catskills, Southern New England and Florida. The highest percentages and numbers of lakes with high organic anion concentrations occurred in Northeastern Minnesota, the Upper Great Lakes Area and Florida. The percentage of acidic lakes by sulfate concentration class revealed no discernable pattern across subregions. In contrast, the acidic lakes occur with the highest frequency in the lowest organic anion concentration class. The complex distribution of low ANC lakes cannot be explained simply by sulfate concentrations or organic acids.
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Linthurst, R.A., Landers, D.H., Eilers, J.M. et al. Regional chemical characteristics of lakes in North America Part II: Eastern United States. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 31, 577–591 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284214
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284214