United States
                          Environmental Protection
                          Agency
                                              Office of Acid Deposition,
                                              Environmental Monitoring and
                                              Quality Assurance
                                              Washington DC 20460
EPA/600/M-89/022
September 1989
                          Research and Development
xvEPA     AERP
^l£^/!r
                         The  Aquatic Effects Research Program  (AERP)  status provides  information on  AERF
                         projects  dealing with the effects  of  acidic deposition  on U.S. surface  waters.
                         Our objectives are to:

                           •  assist organizations involved in acidic deposition research to avoid duplication
                              of efforts and to make maximum use of related research,

                           •  promote communication among the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
                              state agencies, and organizations involved in acidic deposition monitoring
                              activities, and

                           •  provide a mechanism to distribute available AERP information.

                         AQUATIC EFFECTS RESEARCH PROGRAM. AN OVERVIEW	

                         In 1980, Congress passed the Acid Precipitation Act, thus establishing the
                         Interagency Task Force on Acid Precipitation. Given a 10-year mandate, the Task
                         Force implemented the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) to
                         investigate the causes and effects of acidic deposition. NAPAP includes task groups
                         formed to study emissions and controls, atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric
                         transport, atmospheric deposition and air quality, terrestrial effects, effects on
                         materials and cultural resources, and aquatic effects.

                         The AERP, formed in 1983 as  part of the  NAPAP Aquatic Effects Task Group, is
                         responsible for assessing the effects of acidic deposition on  aquatic ecosystems.
                         Already, published AERP reports have described the chemical characteristics of lake
                         and stream resources in  regions of the United States potentially sensitive to acidic
                         deposition.  Complementing these findings, a report summarizing correlative
                         relationships between watershed and surface water chemical characteristics and
                         projecting future conditions for two deposition scenarios in the Northeast  and two in
                         the Southern Blue Ridge Province will be published  by the fall of 1989.   (For a
                         complete list of published AERP documents, see the mail order form attached to this
                         status.) Current AERP field efforts focus primarily on watershed process  studies
                         and manipulations.

                         By 1990, the end of the 10-year mandate, Congress requires NAPAP to provide a full
                         assessment of the acidic deposition phenomenon.  An important aspect of current
                         AERP efforts involves synthesizing results from past and current research to
                         describe the state of science  for acidic deposition effects on  aquatic systems.
                         Another aspect involves integrating  the state of science information with illustrative
                         emission control scenarios to provide an assessment useful for policy decisions
                         concerning alternative control strategies.  A group of AERP scientists  is now working
                         on this task, which will provide valuable aquatic information for the NAPAP reports to
                         Congress. A summary of these activities can be found on page 8.

                         Status of AERP Activities-This issue of the status includes sections that provide
                         information about recently published AERP materials and projects in progress.
                         Table 1 summarizes the present status of projects within the  AERP.

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                                                AERP status
Project
National Surface Water Survey
National Lake Survey, Phase I (East and West)
National Lake Survey, Phase II (Northeast)
National Stream Survey, Phase I
Direct/Delayed Response Project
Northeast and Southern Blue Ridge Province Soil Survey
Mid-Appalachian Soil Survey
Watershed Processes and Manipulations
Watershed Manipulation Project
Watershed Recovery Project
Little Rock Lake Experimental Acidification Project
Episodic Response Project
Episodes
Regional Episodic and Acidic Manipulations Project
Temporally Integrated Monitoring of Ecosystems
Biologically Relevant Chemistry
Indirect Human Health Effects
Design

Complete
Complete
Complete

Complete
Complete

Complete
Complete
Ongoing

Complete
Complete
Ongoing
Ongoing
Complete
Implementation

Complete
Complete
Complete

Complete
Ongoing

Ongoing
Ongoing
1983

Fall 1988
Ongoing
1991
Ongoing
Complete
Reporting

Complete
1990
Complete

Fall 1989
Fall 1990

Fall 1989
Fall 1990
Annually

1990/1991
Summer 1990
Annually*
Winter 1988-89
Fall 1990
 *See last paragraph in Temporally Integrated Monitoring of Ecosystems (TIME) project article, page 8.


  Table 1. Present status and projected dates for stages of major AERP projects.
AERP FEATURE ARTICLE
Summary of Mercury Levels In Fish In the National
Surface Water Survey (NSWS) Subregion 2B
(Upper Peninsula of Michigan)

The accumulation of mercury in fish and the human
health effects of eating mercury-contaminated fish
have been well documented.  Elevated mercury
concentrations in fish from dilute, tow-pH lakes have
only recently been associated with increased  lake
acidity.  There now is ample evidence to document
that mercury is found in fish from lakes in remote
regions of the world with no known current point
sources of mercury and that fish mercury content is
apparently linked to lake pH.

Forty-nine drainage and seepage lakes in the  Upper
Peninsula of Michigan (NSWS Subregion 2B) were
sampled in conjunction with Phase II of the EPA
Eastern Lake Survey to explore the relationship
between chemical and physical characteristics of
lakes and mercury concentrations in fish tissue.  The
lakes were selected using a stratified random design
weighted for low pH so that acidification effects on
mercury accumulation could be statistically evaluated
and extrapolated to the entire population of lakes in
this region.  By coupling this study to the EPA Eastern
Lake Survey Phase I and Phase II (ELS-I and ELS-II),
it was possible to examine the role of chemical and
physical lake variables as related to the assimilation
of mercury by fish.  Both game fish and other
nongame species were the targets for this  regional
research effort. Specific  objectives of this study were
to:

   1.  archive tissue samples for representative ages
      of fish species collected during Phase II of the
      EPA Eastern Lake  Survey;

   2. measure total mercury concentrations in
      selected  fish  samples;

   3. identify by using statistical and deterministic
      approaches the relationships between fish

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                                                 AERP status
      tissue mercury concentrations and water quality
      and lake-watershed characteristics; and

   4.  estimate the number and percentage of lakes in
      the region that have game fish with mercury
      concentrations exceeding human health
      guidelines.

Although the numbers of fish analyzed differed for
each species and each age class, a general trend of
increasing mean mercury concentration as a function
of age was evident for all species.  This trend was
also evident in the proportion of samples that
exceeded various  health criteria (0.5 ppm for World
Health Organization and many states, 1.0 ppm for U.S.
Food and Drug Administration). For example, 7.5
percent of the age-4 yellow perch sampled had
mercury concentrations greater than 0.5 ppm, while
26.2 percent of the age-7 yellow perch sampled had
concentrations greater than this value.  Overall,
mercury concentrations in a large proportion of the
sampled yellow perch, northern pike, and largemouth
bass exceeded the Michigan health advisory criterion
(0.5 ppm).  For thirty-three percent of the northern
pike samples and 26 percent  of the largemouth bass
samples the concentrations exceeded 0.5 ppm.

It is apparent from these results that the
concentrations of mercury in  a high percentage of
sampled game fish, which are the species most likely
to be  consumed by humans,  exceed various health
guidelines.  The perception of the severity and extent
of mercury contamination depends upon whether the
1.0 ppm or 0.5 ppm standard for mercury is  used.

Because of the study design, the data collected on
fish mercury concentrations for the  49 ELS-II lakes
can be extrapolated to estimate fish mercury
characteristics for Subregion  2B as a whole.  This
study provides regional estimates for the total number
and area of lakes in a defined target population of
lakes  for which fish mercury  levels are expected to
exceed 0.5 and 1.0 ppm.  Nearly 54 percent of all lakes
in this subregion (nearly 82 percent of the surface
area)  is estimated to have one or more fish (sport
fish and others) exceeding the 0.5 ppm mercury health
advisory.  Over 18 percent of  all lakes would have one
or more fish exceeding 1.0 ppm mercury.  Game fish
other  than yellow perch (walleye, northern pike, and
largemouth bass) are estimated to have at least one
fish with mercury concentrations exceeding the 1.0
ppm limit in 58 percent of the 457 lakes in which they
occur.

Many statistical relationships have been shown to
exist between fish mercury concentrations and water
   0.6 •

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   0.0
a Seepage Lakes, DOC < 4.2

• Seepage Lakes, DOC >4.2

• Drainage Lakes
                        678
                  Lake Water Field pH
  Figure 1. Relationship between lake pH and total mercury concen-
         tration for age 2-4 yellow perch in 27 Eastern Lake
         Survey-Phase II (ELS-II) lakes. [The dissolved organic
         carbon (DOC) value of 4.2 mg/L is the mean value for
         all seepage lakes.]

  chemistry variables. For this study, the relationships
  between lake pH and total mercury concentration for
  age 2-4 yellow perch in the 27 ELS-II lakes in which
  they were captured are shown in Figure 1.  Points  are
  coded by hydrologic lake type (seepage or drainage)
  and by dissolved organic carbon (DOC) classes  for
  seepage lakes.  Seepage lakes generally have lower
  pH values than drainage lakes due to the minimal
  watershed contributions of acid buffering materials
  such as base cations.  Moreover, some studies  have
  concluded that elevated DOC levels tend to complex
  forms of dissolved mercury making them unavailable
  for fish uptake. In this study there is  a tendency for
  seepage lakes with low DOC (£4.2 mg/L) to  contain
  fish with relatively high mercury concentrations (Figure
  1).  However, there is no basis in this survey study
  from which to imply strict causal mechanisms
  between acidic deposition and fish mercury content.

  The variables most consistently related to the mercury
  concentrations found in fish were total length, weight,
  and age.  Of secondary importance were variables
  related to lake acidity  status. Figure 2 shows a plot
  of mercury concentration in yellow perch plotted
  against pH  and total length (Length).  In general, the
  highest mercury concentrations  were from long fish in
  low pH waters; yet some fish with mercury
  concentrations in excess of 0.5  ppm were found in the
  highest pH class.

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                                                 AERP status
    YELLOW PERCH - ALL AGES AND ALL LAKES
  2.36
                                                8.03
                 Length
         Plot of individual yellow perch mercury concentrations
         (Hg ppm) as a function of lake pH (pH) and total
         length (Length).
The principal benefits from this study have been to
establish a quantitative baseline for mercury
concentration in fish in a subregion surveyed in the
ELS and to suggest some possible relationships that
may warrant further investigation as to the possible
cause and effect relationships of mercury
accumulation in fish.

Additional research needed to reduce the current
uncertainty about the quantitative relationships
between acidic deposition, bioaccumulation of mercury
in fish, and human  health risks includes:  (1)
systematic surveys designed to identify the extent and
levels of mercury bioaccumulation in fish taken from
lakes  in regions potentially affected by acidic
deposition; (2) studies to identify and quantify the
factors  affecting bioaccumulation; and (3) studies to
quantify the consumption by humans of fish from
waters with low acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) and
the demography of angler populations.

For further information about this project, address
inquiries to:
   Dixon H. Landers
   AERP Technical Director
   EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
   200 S.W. 35th Street
   Corvallis, Oregon 97333
   (503) 757-4666, ext. 423
   FTS:  420-4666, ext. 423

CURRENT AERP ACTIVITIES	

The following summaries describe the status of acidic
deposition research projects currently in progress.

Direct/Delayed Response Project (DDRP)

Data from DDRP study watersheds in the Northeast
(NE) and Southern Blue Ridge Province (SBRP) (see
April 1989 status) have been analyzed on three levels.
Level I Analyses include examination of statistical
associations among atmospheric deposition,
watershed characteristics, and surface water
chemistry. Level II Analyses consider estimates of
the time required for key watershed characteristics to
reach critical levels.  Level III  Analyses use three
dynamic, integrated watershed models to project
future responses to acidic deposition under scenarios
(two for each region) of long-term sulfur deposition
(Figure 3).
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NE - 30%

1 ' 1 '

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-1 3



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1 0


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-08


-06

(f,
            10
                            30
                    20

                    Time (yr)
                                    40
                                            50
Figure 3. Sulfur deposition scenarios for the Northeast (NE) and
        Southern Blue Ridge Province (SBRP) for Level II and
        Level III Analyses.  Ratio of total sulfur deposition at
        time t fSJ to current total sulfur deposition (SJ.

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                                                  AERP status
Briefly, Level I statistical analyses indicate that the
processes represented within the Level II and Level
III models appear to be the most important with
regard to explaining current relationships among
deposition, watershed factors, and surface water
chemistry. Results from the simplified single-factor
Level II models support projections made with the
more integrated Level III watershed models.

Projections using one of the Level III models [the
Model of Acidification of Groundwater In Catchments
(MAGIC)] of changes in median ANC of surface
waters (lakes in the NE, stream reaches in the SBRP)
are given in tables 2 and 3.  Projections of the three
watershed models are highly comparable.
Time from
Present
(years)
0
20
50
Number
Constant Deposition
ANC <0 ANC <50
162^ 880*>
5% 27%
161 (134) 648 (246)
5% (4%) 20% (8%)
186 (143) 648 (246)
5% (4%) 20% (8%)
of Lakes*
Decreased
ANC<0
162^
5%
136 (124)
4% (4%)
87 (100)
3% (3%)

Deposition
ANC <50
880*
27%
621 (242)
19% (18%)
586 (237)
18% (7%)
a% is percent of the target population of 3,227 lakes; ()
 indicates 95 percent confidence estimates.
" Indicates estimate from NSWS Phase I sample for the same
 123 lakes; target population - 3,227 lakes
c Projections are based on 123 lake/watersheds successfully
 calibrated by MAGIC.
     Figure 3 for definition of the deposition scenarios used.

        Lakes In the Northeast Projected to have Acid
        Neutralizing Capacity (ANC) Values <0 and <50/ueq/L
        for Constant and Decreased Sulfur Deposition c-d
 Table 2.
Model projections indicate a mixed response of
northeastern lake systems at current levels of sulfur
deposition.  Slight decreases in median ANCs  are
projected for all ANC groups, along with a slight
increase in the number of systems with ANC <0
jueq/L The number of systems having  ANC <50
/jeq/L, however, is projected to decrease.  Projected
responses to decreased sulfur deposition  show a
clearer pattern; MAGIC projects surface water ANCs
to  increase and the number of lakes with ANC <0
peq/L and ANC <50 peq/L to decrease. Such  a
response would be consistent qualitatively with
reported changes in the chemistry of lakes near
Sudbury, Ontario, following reductions of sulfur dioxide
emissions from the Sudbury smelter.
Time from Number of Stream Reaches*
Present
(years)
0
20
50
Constant Deposition
ANC <0 ANC <50
0*
0%
0
0%
129 (195)
10% (15%)
3"
0.2%
187 (228)
14% (17%)
203 (236)
15% (18%)
Increased
ANC<0
0*
0%
0
0%
159 (213)
12% (16%)
Deposition
ANC<50
36
0.2%
187 (228)
14% (17%)
340 (286)
26% (2259
                                                          Table 3.
 *% is percent of the target population of 1,323 stream reaches;
  0 indicates 95 percent confidence estimates.
 * Indicates estimate from NSWS Phase I Pilot Stream Survey
  sample for the same 30 streams; target population - 1,323
  stream reaches.
 c Projections are based on 30 stream/watersheds successfully
  calibrated by MAGIC.
     Figure 3 for definition of the deposition scenarios used.

        Southern Blue Ridge Province Stream Reaches Projected
        to have Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC) Values <0 anc
        <5O fjeq/L for Constant and Increased Sulfur
        Deposition c>d

Model projections for the SBRP stream reaches
indicate decreasing  ANC and  increasing sulfate under
scenarios of either current or increased sulfur
deposition.  Due to the fact that soils in this  region
are much less organic in nature than those in the NE
(e.g., wetlands in the SBRP are virtually nonexistent;
mean stream DOC at lower stream nodes was <1
mg/L), these model  projections are uncomplicated by
potential effects of organic acid leaching. Model
projections for the increased sulfur deposition
scenario indicate the potential for about one quarter
of the target population of stream reaches in the
SBRP to reach an ANC of <50 /jeq/L in 50 years, and
thus may have the potential to reach an ANC ~0
jueq/L during storm event episodes.

The DDRP will also be making projections for
watersheds in the Mid-Appalachian Region of the
eastern United States.  Thirty-six watersheds in that
region have been mapped; soil samples taken to
represent those watersheds have been processed and
analyzed.  Projections of potential future responses of
those watersheds will be reported in the NAPAP
Integrated Assessment.

Address inquiries concerning DDRP to:

   M. Robbins Church
   DDRP Technical Director
   EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
   200 S.W. 35th Street
   Corvallis, Oregon 97333
   (503) 757-4666, ext. 304
   FTS: 420-4666, ext. 304

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                                                 AERP status
Watershed Processes and Manipulations

Watershed studies conducted as part of the AERP are
using three approaches to further the understanding
of the effects of acidic deposition on surface waters.
Process-oriented research on natural systems is
designed to improve our understanding of the nature
and function of specific watershed mechanisms that
contribute to surface water acidification.  Watershed
manipulations focus on understanding the integrated
response of the biogeochemical processes that
operate within a watershed and contribute to surface
water quality.  Developing and testing surface water
acidification models combines current understanding
of surface water acidification with the results of the
other two areas of research to help quantify the
uncertainties associated with projecting future surface
water chemistries with models.  The Watershed
Manipulation Project, Watershed Recovery Project, and
Little Rock Lake Acidification Project are watershed
studies currently in progress. Status reports on the
first two projects follow.

Watershed Manipulation Project (WMPJ-The  WMP
involves process-oriented research designed  to assess
the responses of watershed soils, biota, and streams
to altered levels of acidic deposition. An integrated
set of manipulation studies is being conducted at the
laboratory, plot, and catchment scales. Hypotheses
concerning sulfur and nitrogen dynamics, base cation
supply, aluminum mobility, organic acids, hydrology,
and catchment  responses are being tested.

The laboratory and plot studies have yielded several
findings. These are being incorporated into a "findings
report" due in December 1989.

At the catchment scale, a paired-catchment approach
is being used.   One catchment will be artificially
acidified by application of ammonium sulfate, while
the second (adjacent) catchment will serve as a
control. The catchments  have been fully instrumented,
and baseline data have been obtained. Manipulation
is scheduled to begin in September  1989.

Address inquiries concerning WMP to:

   Jeffrey J. Lee
   WMP Technical Director
   EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
   200 S.W. 35th Street
   Corvallis, Oregon 97333
   (503) 757-4666,  ext. 318
   FTS: 420-4666, ext. 318
Watershed Recovery Project (WRP)-T\M WRP is
studying the reversibility of sulfate adsorption by soils.
The practice of using dried and stored samples to
characterize soil chemical  response parameters has
long been questioned.  Recently, studies conducted in
conjunction with the Direct/Delayed Response Project
indicated that air drying of soil samples resulted in
30-45% increases in the sulfate adsorption capacity of
six soils from the eastern  United States.  This finding
led to renewed concern about sample storage effects
on measured soil properties.

Wet and dry  sulfate adsorption and desorption
isotherms have been determined for 100 soil samples,
obtained from 10 sites in the Northeast and 20 sites
in the Southern Blue Ridge Province.  Analysis of the
samples for other properties such  as  cation exchange
capacity, pH, exchangeable bases, organic matter,  and
extractable iron and aluminum is almost complete.
These results will be used to develop  regression
equations that relate sulfate desorption to sulfate
adsorption and wet sulfate isotherms to dry sulfate
isotherms. Because the dry isotherms and the
nonisotherm analyses use DDRP procedures, the
results will be applicable to the DDRP data base.

Address inquiries concerning WRP to:

   Jeffrey J. Lee
   WRP Technical Director
   EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
   200 S.W. 35th Street
   Corvallis, Oregon 97333
   (503) 757-4666, ext. 318
   FTS: 420-4666, ext. 318

Episodic Response Project (ERP)

Several approaches to understanding  acidic episodes
(events related to weather conditions  that produce
snowmelt and rainfall) in surface water have had only
partial success for a number of reasons.  Both
intensive studies and survey approaches have been
limited in terms of the data produced, primarily as  a
result of the unpredictable nature of snowmelt and
rainstorm  events. Most of these studies have
employed  manual sampling as the principal field
sampling approach, and thus episodes that begin on
weekends or at night are typically  missed.  Survey
approaches have had limited success because of
logistical difficulties associated with sampling
unfamiliar systems. Therefore, a more intensive
approach  is being employed at 5 streams in
Pennsylvania and 10 streams in New York. Biological
                                                    -6-

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                                                 AERP status
and chemical characterization will be conducted during
snowmelt and rainstorm events by means of
automated and manual sampling techniques.

Eastern Ep/sodes-The ERP goals are to identify and
quantify short-term acidic episodes in four to five
streams in each of three regions (the Northern
Appalachian Plateau in Pennsylvania  and the
Adirondack and Catskill mountains in New York State)
and describe biological responses to episodes and to
synthesize the results of the studies  in these areas
into regional models that will describe and predict
both the chemical and biological effects of these
short-term events.

Large rainstorms swept through the  Pennsylvania
region during March, resulting in very high
streamflows in these study streams.  The intensive
biological  monitoring period was well coordinated with
these storms and negative effects of episodes on fish
were observed.  Pennsylvania State University
researchers noted that there was a net downstream
movement of radio-tagged fish during episodes-fish
that survived these episodes were the ones  able to
find tributaries with relatively good quality water.
Preliminary results from population-level work on
brook trout in the Adirondacks show  that there may
be a significant natural depletion of fish population
levels during episodes. Results in the Catskill region
indicate that resident brook trout within acidic
streams are more tolerant of episodes than
nonresident brook trout.

   Address inquiries concerning ERP to:

   Parker J. Wigington, Jr.
   ERP Technical Director
   EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
   200 S.W. 35th Street
   Corvallis, Oregon 97333
   (503) 757-4666, ext. 354
   FTS: 420-4666, ext. 354

Regional Episodic and Acidic Manipulations Project
(f?EAM}-J\EAM is designed to provide data on the
effects of increased acidic deposition on surface
water quality following whole catchment manipulation.
Scientists are monitoring the response of streams  to
acidification on both chronic and episodic time scales
at the Fernow Experimental Forest [administered by
the United States Department of Agriculture  (USDA)
Forest Service] near Parsons, West Virginia.

A paired catchment  approach is being used,  with one
catchment being artificially acidified by application of
ammonium sulfate and the other serving as a control.
Catchment manipulations were initiated in January
1989 and are continuing.  Application rates are set at
approximately three times the seasonal ambient rates.

   Episodic depressions in pH and increases in
sulfate concentrations associated  with storms have
been observed in both streams at  the site.  Oxygen-18
data for stream  water, soil water,  and precipitation
have been received and are being used to evaluate
hydrologic routing in the catchments.  The Forest
Service has  funded and initiated biological studies at
the site.

Address inquiries concerning  REAM to:

   Jeffrey J. Lee
   REAM Technical Director
   EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
   200 S.W. 35th Street
   Corvallis, Oregon 97333
   (503) 757-4666, ext. 318
   FTS:  420-4666, ext. 318

Temporally  Integrated Monitoring of Ecosystems
(TIME) Project

The objectives of the TIME project  are to:

   •  provide early warning of changes in surface wa-
      ter acidification or recovery,

   •  assess the extent to which observed trends in
      surface water chemistry correspond with model
      projections of chemical change, and

   •  relate observed trends  in surface water biology
      and chemistry to trends in atmospheric deposi-
      tion.

The manuscript described in the last status
"Biological Monitoring for Acidification Effects:
Results of a U.S.-Canadian Workshop," has  been
reviewed and is  undergoing revision.   It will be
published as an  EPA report this fall.

A technical paper has been submitted to Limnology
and Oceanography describing an ambient chemical
classification system based on ion ratios. The
system described in the paper helps  identify lakes
that are pH  sensitive and responsive to recent
deposition.  The  sensitivity-response  indices were
verified through use of data bases from the National
Surface Water Survey, the Paleoecological
Investigation of  Recent Lake  Acidification and the
                                                     -7-

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                                                AERP status
Long-Term Monitoring Project (LTMP).  Lakes most
likely to provide early warning of change in acid-base
chemistry can now be easily identified for study.
Seven papers describing aspects of the TIME data
analysis plan have been submitted for publication in
the proceedings of the International Symposium on
the Design of Water Quality  Information Systems.
The papers included descriptions of selecting
"hand-picked" sites, deposition monitoring, biological
monitoring, and univariate trend analyses.  A paper
describing preliminary results of the LTMP has been
submitted to Environmental Management. The results
indicate that chemical trends can be detected with
available univariate statistical techniques applied to
seasonal data  collected for five years.

TIME-Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program (EMAP)-£Pk remains committed to
continuing monitoring activities which address the
acidic deposition issue.  At the same time, the Agency
is in the process of developing an Environmental
Monitoring and Assessment  Program (EMAP) with
which TIME will interact.  EMAP is being designed  to
provide information on ecological conditions at
national and regional scales.  More specifically, EMAP
will characterize and classify the ecological  resources
at risk, quantify baseline conditions and trends in their
status, and identify probable causes by examining
corresponding  patterns and trends in pollutant
exposure and other stressors.  TIME, on the other
hand, is a very specialized program which will address
specific questions related to acidic deposition, such
as the effectiveness of emissions reduction programs
and the validation of  predictive models similar to
those developed in the DDRP.  Currently, the Agency is
evaluating the best way to design special study
programs such as TIME and EMAP so that  they
complement each other.  The relative  roles and value
of spatially extensive surveys, annually monitored
trend sites, and temporally integrated monitored trend
sites are being evaluated.  It is the current intent to
continue during this evaluation process.

Address inquiries concerning TIME to:

   Jesse Ford
   TIME/LTMP Technical Director
   EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
   200 S.W. 35th Street
   Corvallis, Oregon 97333
   (503) 757-4666 ext. 442
   FTS:  420-4666 ext. 442
SYNTHESIS AND INTEGRATION
ACTIVITIES	

Regional Case Studies (f?CSJ~The PCS Project
synthesizes a large body of information related to
acidic deposition (collected by a variety of agencies,
institutions, and universities) with newly acquired
information from the  AERP. This synthesis provides
regional comparisons of surface water quality,
including chemistry and biology, in areas of the United
States and Canada identified  as potentially sensitive
to, changed by, or  at risk because of acidic
deposition.

The major product  of the RCS Project will be a book
entitled Acidic Deposition and Aquatic Ecosystems:
Regional Case Studies.  A major conclusion of the
book is that the important factors and  processes
controlling acid-base chemistry of surface  waters vary
considerably among regions of the United  States.

Final versions of most chapters were submitted in
May.  Final manuscript preparation, including editing
and graphics, was carried out during the summer.
With a publication  date set for early 1990,  the book
will support the Aquatics State-of-Science  reports
being prepared for the NAPAP.

Address inquiries about RCS to:

  Donald F. Charles
  Aquatic Team Technical Director
  EPA/Environmental  Research Laboratory-Corvallis
  200 S.W. 35th Street
  Corvallis, Oregon 97333
  (503) 753-6221 or 757-4666
  FTS:  420-4666

 1990 Report /4c//V/7/es~AERP scientists  are making
major contributions to the 1990 NAPAP Final
Assessment, which consists of State-of-Science/
Technology (SOS/T) reports and an Integrated
Assessment (IA).   NAPAP was created by Congress in
1980 as a 10-year program to provide scientific,
technological, and  economic information on the
causes and effects of acidic deposition and
periodically report these findings to Congress and the
President. The 1990  IA, based on information
presented in the SOS/T, fulfills this final obligation and
represents the conclusion of NAPAP.

The Aquatic Effects Task Group is preparing seven
SOS/T reports on topics such as the current status of
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 STATE
 INFORMATION
The AERP status provides a forum for
states to exchange information and update
activities.  Highlighted state activities are
presented below.

California

On July 1, 1989 the Air Resources Board
(ARB)-Research Division received funding for
the Atmospheric Acidity Protection Program
(AAPP),  authorized by the State Legislature.
This  is a 5-year, $15 million continuation of
the Kapiloff Acid Deposition Research and
Monitoring  Program.  The aquatic effects
program will focus on the following
research areas:  snow  monitoring and
snowpack processes in the Sierra Nevada,
episodic acidification at high-elevation
watersheds, and identification of sensitive
biological populations in lakes, streams, and
ponds.

A number of reports summarizing results of
the Kapiloff Program are available.  These
include:

   •   The Health and Welfare Effects of
       Acid Deposition in California:
        Technical Assessment. 176 pp.
       June 1989.

   •  Atmospheric Acidity Protection
       Program:  Five- Year Research Plan.
       28 pp.  June 1989.

   •  Final reports for each  of the projects
       funded under the Kapiloff Program.

These reports  are available by writing to
Susie Stadtman, ARB-Research Division,
P.O.  Box 2815, Sacramento, California
95812.

The Division began to issue Requests for
Proposals  for the AAPP  in July  1989.
Long-term monitoring of watersheds and
deposition  will be the priority  areas for
funding  in the  first year of the program.
Address inquiries about the above
information to:

       Kathy Tonnessen
       ARB-Research Division
       P.O. Box 2815
       Sacramento, California  95812

Florida

The Florida Department of Environmental
Regulation is conducting studies of Florida's
sensitive lakes in order to  characterize their
chemistry and biology and to evaluate fac-
tors contributing to their ANC.  The Florida
Soft Water Lakes Study project, to be
completed in the early fall, is evaluating  the
water chemistry and status of fish
populations in twelve acidic soft water
lakes.  The Florida Lakes Reassessment
Study project will evaluate whether historical
water chemistry changes have occurred
among Florida lakes.  The Florida Seepage
Lakes Study is evaluating the factors that
regulate ANC, including ground-water
contributions. This project is being
conducted by a cooperative effort of the
Florida Department of Environmental
Regulation, the  U.S. Geological Survey, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the
Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group,
the Electric Power  Research  Institute, and
Southern Company Services.

Address inquiries about the above
information to:

       Curtis E. Watkins
       Florida Dept. of Environmental
         Regulation
       2600 Blair Stone Road
       Tallahassee, Florida  32399-2400

Pennsylvania

A final report has been issued on the
Effects of Neutralization and Acidification in
Pocono Mountain Lakes.  The report
documents the chemistry and biology of two
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northeastern Pennsylvania lakes from 1984
to 1988.  Limestone was added to one lake
and the other lake remained untreated.  The
lakes were similar biologically and
chemically prior to treatment. Following the
addition of 100 tons of agricultural
limestone to the ice in February 1985, the
treated lake experienced statistically
significant increases in ANC, specific
conductance, calcium, magnesium,  and
silica.  However, by 1987 it was evident that
the lake was  reacidifying and a smaller
limestone dose (15.1 tons) was added as a
slurry in October 1987.

Most of the significant biological changes
were not evident until 2 to 3 years  after the
limestone additions.  Some of these
changes include:  decrease in blue-green
algae (Cyanobacteria), increases in diatoms
(Bacillariophycead), euglenophytes
(Euglenophyta), mayflies (Ephemeroptera),
dragonflies (Odonata), caddisflies
(Trichoptera), aquatic earthworms
(Oligochaeta), benthic macroinvertebrate
total numbers, taxa richness and wet
weight and numbers of bacteria in  the
water column.

Over the study period, the reference lake
became acidic (ANC ^0.0 /jeq/L) in summer
1987. Significant decreases in the  lake were
recorded for ANC,  specific conductance, and
total organic carbon.  Biological changes
included decreases in diatoms,  fire algae
(Pyrrhophyta), phytoplankton taxa richness
and  biovolume, and Rotifera numbers, and
increases in Copepoda (especially
Diaptomus minutus), crustacean biomass,
and  benthic Ceratopogonidae.

The limestoning  was effective in maintaining
water quality adequate for acid-sensitive
invertebrates  and algae.  The limestone
remained effective for approximately 2.5
years, 3 times the lake's retention time of
276 days.  The lake reacidified due to
dilution and/or neutralization of incoming
acidic precipitation.

Once water quality has improved, less
acidic water should be maintained  because
many acid-sensitive algae and invertebrates
take 2 to 4 years to increase their
populations.  Fish populations take even
longer.  The lake must be regularly
relimestoned if acid-sensitive biotic
communities  are to thrive.

Address inquiries about the above
information to:
       Patricia T. Bradt
       Environmental Studies Center
       Chandler #17
       Lehigh University
       Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015

Virginia

A survey of 344 streams in the  Appalachian
Mountain region of Virginia that support
reproducing populations of native brook
trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) was conducted
in the spring  of 1987.  The surveyed streams
represent about 76% of the identified trout
streams in  the region.  Relative to
commonly applied sensitivity criteria, 93% of
the streams are sensitive (alkalinity <. 200
A/eq/L), 49% of the streams are extremely
sensitive (alkalinity :s50 A/eq/L)  and 10% of
the streams are currently acidic (alkalinity
<0.0 /jeq/L).  Sulfate is the dominant anion
in the streams, but all catchments
associated with the streams are retaining
significant amounts of atmospherically
deposited sulfur (median retention = 68%).
Estimates of past and potential future
acidification were obtained using a simple
linear model relating  changes in
concentrations of base cations to  changes
in concentration of sulfate. Sulfate
concentration changes were determined as
the difference between currently observed
concentrations and estimated past and
future steady-state concentrations.
Changes in concentrations of base cations
were calculated, assuming base cation
increase factors equal to 0.4 and 0.8 times
the sulfate increase.  The median historical
alkalinity loss for the sampled population is
estimated as 29 and 9 ^eq/L for the two
assumed factors, with 3% and  0% of the
streams estimated to have had historical
alkalinities  <0.0 /jeq/L  The median future
alkalinity loss is estimated as 90 and 30
/jeq/L for the two assumed factors, with
88% and 32% of the  streams estimated to
have future alkalinities <0.0 /jeq/L.

Address inquiries about the above
information to:

       James R. Webb
       Department of Environmental
         Sciences
       Clark Hall
       University of Virginia
       Charlottesville, Virginia  22903

Wisconsin

In 1987, a project was undertaken to study
the effects of acidic  deposition on
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Wisconsin streams.  Thirty-eight potentially
acid-sensitive streams were sampled at
base-flow to characterize their water
chemistry and sensitivity to acidic
deposition. Three of the 38 were sampled
during snowmelt and/or rainfall events to
characterize water chemistry changes which
may have been caused by acidic deposition.
Samples were taken during 11 rainfall and/or
snowmelt events at the 3 streams.

Most of the base-flow samples and some
of the episodic samples were taken
manually (grab samples).  An automatic
sampler was installed at Otter Creek in
Southern Wisconsin to collect episodic
samples.  Six episodes were sampled using
the automatic sampler.  The stream-water
samples were analyzed for all major cations
and anions, nutrients, pH, alkalinity,
conductivity, color, turbidity, dissolved
organic and inorganic carbon, iron,
manganese, and aluminum. Concentrations
of labile monomeric aluminum were
estimated using the ALCHEMI model
developed by Schecher and Driscoll. A few
snow and rain samples  were analyzed in
addition  to the stream-water samples.

The study found that Wisconsin streams
are not susceptible to acidification because
they contain relatively high levels of
alkalinity, base cations, and organic acids.
Wisconsin streams also have low
concentrations (<5 jueq/L) of labile
monomeric aluminum. These concentrations
are lower than concentrations associated
with harmful effects on biota.  Depressions
in alkalinity and pH and other changes in
water chemistry which occurred in streams
during snowmelt and rainfall events were
caused by natural processes (primarily
dilution),  not by acidic deposition.

The major conclusion of the study is that
streams  in Wisconsin are not being
adversely affected by acidic deposition.

The details of the study are contained in
three reports:

1. Eilers  and Bernert,  1989. Acid-Base
   Chemistry of Selected Streams in
   Wisconsin, Report 89-02.

2. Wisconsin DNR. 1988.  Water Chemistry
   of Selected Streams in  Wisconsin
   Relative to  Potential Effects of  Acid
   Deposition, An Interim Report, PUBL-AM-
   027-88.

3. Wisconsin DNR, 1989. Effects  of
   Acid Deposition on Wisconsin Streams.
   PBL-AM-032-89.

For copies of the reports or inquiries about
the above information, please contact:

       Eric Mosher
       Wisconsin Department of Natural
         Resources
       P.O. Box 7921
       Madison, Wisconsin 53707
       (608) 266-3010
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