United States
                           Environmental Protection
                           Agency
Office of Acid Deposition,
Environmental Monitoring and
Quality Assurance
Washington DC 20460
EPA/600/M-88/007
April 1988
                           Research and Development
v>EPA        AERP  status
                           The Aquatic Effects Research Program (AERP) status provides information on AERP 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 communications among the Environmental Protection Agency, state agencies, and
                             organizations involved in acidic deposition monitoring activities, and

                           • provide a mechanism to distribute available AERP information.

                           Aquatic Effects Research Program

                           The AERP is a major component of the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program's
                           (NAPAP) Aquatic Effects Research Task Group 6, a cooperative effort of nine federal agencies
                           tasked with addressing important policy and assessment questions relating to the acidic
                           deposition phenomenon and its effects. The AERP addresses four major EPA policy ques-
                           tions relating to the effects of acidic deposition on aquatic ecosystems:

                           1. the extent and magnitude of change,

                           2. the change to be expected in the future under various rates of acidic deposition,

                           3. the maximum rates of deposition below which further change is not expected, and

                           4. the rate of change or recovery of aquatic ecosystems if deposition rates decrease.

                           The necessary data for assessment and policy decisions are provided by the following
                           research components: the National Surface Water Survey (NSWS), the Direct/Delayed
                           Response Project (DDRP), the Episodic Response Project (ERP), and several watershed pro-
                           jects. The watersheds activities include the Watershed Manipulation Project (WMP), the
                           Regional Episodic and Acidic Manipulation Project (REAM), the Little Rock Lake Experimental
                           Acidification Project, the Southeastern Acidification Project, and the Surface Water  Recovery
                           Project. Additionally, the Biologically Relevant Chemistry Project (BRC) and the Indirect
                           Human Health Effects Project have been incorporated into the AERP research design.
                           Collectively, these projects form an integrated program to quantify the chemical status of
                           U.S. surface waters, to predict the response of biologically relevant chemistry to variable
                           rates of acidic deposition, and to verify and validate the predictions.

                           The AERP component projects will provide data necessary to prepare an AERP report that
                           assesses the extent to which aquatic systems have changed  as a result of acidic deposition.
                           This AERP report will serve as a partial foundation for the NAPAP Assessment, an evaluation
                           required by Congress in 1990.

                           Status of AERP Activities—Phase I field activities (Synoptic Chemistry) and Phase  II field
                           activities (Seasonal Chemistry) of the NSWS are complete. Soil surveys for the DDRP have
                           been conducted in the northeastern United States and in the Southern  Blue Ridge Province.
                           Initial BRC sampling activities have been completed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and
                           in northwestern Wisconsin.  Projects implemented in the spring of 1987 include the WMP at
                           Bear Brook in Maine and REAM at the Fernow Experimental  Forest in West Virginia. ERP
                           field activities began at Fernow in the fall of 1987.  The TIME Project is being designed; field
                           activities are scheduled to begin in 1990.  Table 1 summarizes the present status of various
                           projects within the AERP.

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                                                            AERP status
    Project
Design    Implementation  Reporting
National Surface
Water Survey
National Lake
Survey, Phase
(East and West)
National Lake Survey.
Phase II (NE)
National Stream
Survey, Phase 1
Direct/ Delayed
Response Project
NEandSBRP
Soil Surveys
Mid-Appalachian
Soil Survey
Regional Episodic & Acidic
Manipulation Project
Watershed Manipulation
Project
Episodic
Response Project
Little Rock Lake Experimental
Acidification Project
Southeastern Acidification
Project
Surface Water
Recovery Project
Temporally Integrated
Monitoring of Ecosystems
Biologically
Relevant Chemistry
Indirect Human
Health Effects
Complete
Complete
Complete

Complete
Ongoing
Complete
Complete
Fall
1987
Ongoing
In Review
In Review
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Complete
Complete
Complete

Complete
Ongoing
Spring
1987
Spring
1987
Spring
1988
1983
Spring
1988
Spring
1988
1990
Ongoing
Ongoing
Complete
Summer
1988
Spring
1988

Winter
1987-88
Fall
1990
Summer
1990
Annually
Winter
1989-90
Annually
Spring
1990
Spring
1990
Biennially
Winter
1988-89
Spring
1990
Table 1. Present status and projected dates for stages of
        major AERP projects.


AERP Feature Article

Little Rock Lake Experimental Acidification Project (Vilas
County, Wisconsin)—Lake acidification experiments provide
valuable information about the direct and indirect effects of
acidification on aquatic ecosystems. However, most acidic
deposition studies use methods such as statistical analyses
of surface water data, comparisons of historical and recent
water chemistry data, and laboratory experiments. Although
these methods answer many questions about the effects of
acidic deposition on aquatic systems, other questions
remain unanswered. The artificial acidification of Little Rock
Lake offers researchers the chance to study whole ecosys-
tem responses to the effects of acidification.

As part of the AERP's watersheds program, the study  is
funded primarily by the U.S.  EPA Environmental Research
Laboratory-Duluth. Other cooperating institutions include:
the University of Wisconsin - Madison, the University  of
Wisconsin - Superior, the University of Minnesota, Iowa
State University, the  U.S. Geological Survey, and the Wis-
consin Department of Natural Resources.

Little Rock Lake, which is located in northern Wisconsin,
has no surface inlet or outlet and receives most of its water
from precipitation directly on its surface. This results in lake
water with low ionic content, organic color, and nutrient
concentrations. Alkalinity in the lake averages about 25
ueq/L, and pH ranges from 5.5 to 6.2. The lake supports a
healthy, warm-water fishery. Though dominated by yellow
perch, the fish community also includes stable populations
of largemouth bass, rock bass, and black crappie. Little  Rock
Lake has two basins, each with approximately the same
surface area and connected by a narrow constriction
(Figure 1).

Planning for the Little Rock Lake Experimental Acidification
Project began in 1982, and one year later, scientists imple-
mented monitoring activities. These efforts verified the  sim-
ilarity of the two basins in water chemistry and biota.  Re-
sults indicate that the two basins are similar with respect to
pH, alkalinity, major ions, chlorophyll, and nutrients. There
are no  major differences between basins in means  and  var-
iances of all measured variables.  Species distribution and
abundance of phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic inverte-
brates, and macrophytes are also similar in the two basins.
Although studies found the yellow perch population evenly
divided, surveys of largemouth bass  populations showed
significant interbasin differences.  Some adults and fry were
transferred to redistribute the populations evenly.

In 1984, while monitoring activities were still being con-
ducted, project scientists separated the lake into two exper-
imental basins by installation of a  plastic and dacronfiber

Surface area (ha)
Maximum Depth (m)
Mean depth (m)
Volume (105 m3)
North
Basin
9.8
10.3
3.8
3.8
South
Basin
8.1
6.5
3.0
2.5
Whole
Lake
17.9
10.3
3.5
6.3
                              LITTLE ROCK LAKE
                       Seal*
Figure 1.
                                               Bathymetric map of Little Rock Lake. Prepared by
                                               Bureau of Engineering, Wisconsin Department of
                                               Natural Recources.

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                                                           AERP status
curtain across the constriction. Present plans call for the
gradual acidification of the north basin. Sulfuric acid was
added to the lake water to reach the initial target pH value of
5.5 during the spring of 1985. This pH level and subsequent
levels of 5.0 and 4.5 will be maintained over two-year peri-
ods, a schedule that should allow a reasonable amount of
time for expression of biotic responses.

To obtain preliminary information on responses of biota and
biogeochemical processes to acidification, experiments were
conducted in ten large enclosures during 1984 and 1985.
Pairs of enclosures, located in the north basin, were acidi-
fied to pH 5.5, 5.0, and 4.5 with sulfuric acid and to pH 5.0
with hydrochloric acid.  One pair was left at pH 6.0.  Results
of these experiments, which aided scientists in the design of
the whole lake treatment, indicated that water chemistry
responses obtained by this technique were generally more
realistic and consistent than biological responses. The
results also were useful in developing an extensive list of
hypotheses about how the north basin would respond to
acidification.

Numerous other studies are being conducted in conjunction
with the Little Rock Lake Experimental Acidification Project.
For more information and a list of available publications,
contact:

John Eaton
EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Duluth
6201 Congdon Blvd.
Duluth, Minnesota 55804
(218)720-5557
FTS: 780-5557

Completed AERP Activities

This section lists projects for which recently published
materials are available for dissemination.

Western Lake Survey-Phase I—The Western Lake Survey-
Phase  1, conducted in 1985 in the Rocky Mountains, the
Sierra Nevada, and the Cascade Mountains, provided base-
line information about the current chemical status of west-
ern lakes.  Scientists collected samples from 757 lakes with
surface areas between  1 and 2,000 hectares.

The Western Lake Survey major report, entitled Characteris-
tics of Lakes in the Western United States, is available in
two volumes through the mail order form in this status. The
Western Lake Survey data base is also available.

National Stream  Survey Pilot Study—The National Stream
Survey Pilot Study was conducted in the Southern Blue
Ridge Province in 1985 to test and evaluate sample site
selection, research designs, sampling and analytical
methods, field base operations, sample shipping and
tracking procedures, quality assurance and quality control
programs, and data base management. Each of sixty-one
streams was sampled four times.
The Pilot Study major report is available through the mail
order form in this status.

Current AERP Activities

Current AERP activities include acidic deposition research
projects either in progress or scheduled to commence by
summer 1988.

Direct/Delayed Response Project (DDRP)—The DDRP
focuses on three regions: the Northeast, the Southern Blue
Ridge Province, and the Mid-Appalachian Region (Figure
2). The DDRP soils data for the northeastern region have
been verified and validated. Data from these 145 water-
sheds are being analyzed.  Soils data from the Southern
Blue Ridge Province have been verified, but not yet
validated.

EPA scientists will study 45 additional watersheds in the
Northeast. These watersheds, selected because they appear
to retain a percentage of sulfate inputs, will be mapped but
not sampled. Soil chemistry will be inferred from previous
sampling efforts. Mapping will be completed in the summer
of 1988.
       DDRP Sites
        • Northeastern Lake
        • Mid-Appalachian
        » Southern Blue Ridge Province
Figure 2.  DDRP study regions

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                                                   AERP status
Sampling during the Western Lake Survey.

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                                                           AERP status
Thirty-six watersheds have been selected for study in the
upland areas of the Mid-Appalachian Region. Mapping at
these sites, which represent a subset of watersheds
sampled during the National Stream Survey, will be com-
pleted in the summer of 1988. Approximately 150 soil sites
will be sampled.

Soil data from the northeastern region and the Southern
Blue Ridge Province will be released in a final report, sche-
duled for publication in the spring of 1989.

Address inquiries concerning the DDRP to:
Bobbins Church
DDRP Technical Director
EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
200 S.W. 35th Street
Corvallis, Oregon  97333
(503) 757-4666
FTS: 420-4666

Watershed Manipulation Project (WMP)—At the Bear
Brook watersheds, located on Lead Mountain in southeast-
ern Maine, WMP scientists are assessing the quantitative
and qualitative response of soils and surface waters to
altered levels of deposition. WMP scientists are also inves-
tigating hydrobiogeochemical processes contributing to sur-
face water response and will evaluate predictions from
models used in the DDRP.

Hypothesis testing at Bear Brook is being conducted through
an interdisciplinary,  integrated approach involving coopera-
tive efforts from a site team, six supporting scientific task
teams, a modeling team, and the EPA management team.
Major institutions include the University of Maine (Sulfur
Task), Syracuse University (Aluminum Task), the University
of New Hampshire (Nitrogen Task), the University of Illinois
(Organic Acids Task), the University of Iowa (Cation Resupply
and Mineral Weathering Task), and PNL-Battelle Northwest
(Modeling team).

Stream sampling by the University of Maine began in the
fall of 1986 and has provided information on the variability
of the major chemical constituents within the Bear Brook
systems. Preliminary data indicate that the streams are
chemically very similar. Concentrations of important
parameters in these streams (acid neutralizing  capacity, sul-
fate, pH, and conductance) support the suitability of the Bear
Brook streams for the planned manipulations.

WMP scientists have also begun characterizing the Bear
Brook watersheds. A field-based geographic coordinate sys-
tem and a first-order soils map have been developed for
each  of the two Bear Brook catchments. Wet and dry depo-
sition stations are established at the site; minimonitors will
be used for continuous, in-situ monitoring of pH, conduc-
tance, and stream temperature.  A radiotelemetry system
will enable remote programming and downloading of data
from field  data loggers.
Various levels and combinations of deposition are being
simulated by experimentally applying acids to a series of
plots that represent the major soil and vegetation types
within the catchments at Bear Brook.  Eighteen plots have
been established. Changes in some soil properties will be
assessed through the use of a buried "soil bag" technique,
in which nylon mesh bags containing a standard soil are
buried, then removed for analysis at specific intervals. Plot
treatments, scheduled for implementation in the spring of
1988, will continue for two years and will be followed by a
recovery monitoring period.

The method of manipulation, proposed to begin in late 1989
or early 1990, will be determined after a thorough evalua-
tion of options. The amount and pH of the acidifying solu-
tion will be determined, in part, from results of the external
plot treatments.  This approach  will result in a manipulation
experiment that is logistically and scientifically appropriate
for the study objectives.

Address inquiries concerning the WMP to:
Parker J. Wigington, Jr.
WMP Technical Director
EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
200 S.W. 35th Street
Corvallis, Oregon 97333
(503) 757-4666
FTS: 420-4666

Episodic Response  Project (ERP)—The Adirondack and
Catskill  regions of New York and the Valley and Ridge Pro-
vince of Pennsylvania have been identified as containing
target populations of streams expected to experience acidic
episodes.  Conceptual designs and approaches for each of
the three regions were presented at a Peer  Review Work-
shop held in Panama City, Florida, in November of 1987.
Complete  project designs  will be reported after review and
finalization. A draft quality assurance plan is nearing com-
pletion; implementation is expected to commence in the
spring of 1988 with the installation of minimonitors for the
continuous determination of stream pH, conductance, and
temperature.

Address inquiries concerning the ERP to:
Keith Eshleman
ERP Technical Director
EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
200 S.W.  35th Street
Corvallis, Oregon 97333
(503) 757-4666
FTS: 420-4666

Regional Episodic and Acidic Manipulation Project
(REAM)—The REAM Project will provide data useful in
formulating, testing, and refining DDRP, WMP, and ERP
models for predicting surface water chemical changes in
response to acidic deposition. The relationship of the REAM
Project to the ERP and the WMP is illustrated in Figure 3.

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                                                           AERP status
Figure 3.  Relationships between the Episodic Response
          Project, the Watershed Manipulation Project, and
          the Regional Episodic and Acidic Manipulation
          Project
The REAM Project is designed to:

1. determine the surface water chemical responses, at both
   chronic and episodic time scales, of regionally representa-
   tive watersheds and associated streams to altered deposi-
   tion of sulfur and nitrogen;

2. determine the important site factors and forcing functions
   that control chronic and episodic response of watersheds
   and associated streams, including the importance of
   deposition;

3. provide data to test the behavior of the DDRP models;

4. determine the magnitude, duration, and frequency of
   episodic chemical changes that accompany hydrologic
   events in regionally representative streams; and

5. provide data that will be of use to the ERP in the  develop-
   ment of modeling approaches (either empirical or concep-
   tual) for predicting the occurrence of episodic chemical
   changes that could potentially be applied on a regional
   basis.

During this study, a three-fold increase in acidic deposition
will be simulated on a treatment watershed. Changes in the
chemistry of water exiting the watershed will be monitored
on a temporal and quantitative basis. Dry ammonium sul-
fate will be applied to the test catchment by helicopter in
three increments per year (beginning in the fall of 1988, for
a minimum of three years).  This schedule of application will
ensure that the relative magnitudes of acidic episodes follow
regionally specific seasonal patterns based on local weather
patterns. Such a consideration is necessary because the
effect of acidic episodes on biotic populations will be deter-
mined to a large extent by the developmental stage of biota
experiencing the episode, which in turn fluctuates
seasonally.
Wet and dry deposition monitoring stations have been
installed at the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virgi-
nia. Routine maintenance of the system and sample collec-
tion will be performed by on-site personnel. Minimonitors
and continuously recording pH, temperature, and conductiv
ity meters were installed at the weirs of a manipulated site
and a control site during December. All data will  be
gathered continuously and downloaded weekly by site per-
sonnel.  Continuous stage recorders were installed at the
same location by the Forest Service and have provided relia
ble data for a number of years on  both watersheds. Two
water samplers, which were installed at each weir in
December, will be programmed to sample on an incremente
time basis during an episode, the  beginning of which is
defined as a specific increase in stream water level. These
efforts will provide data on how episodic changes in water
chemistry relate to changing water levels.

Watershed soil mapping has also  been  completed by the
West Virgina Soil Conservation Service using protocols
developed by the DDRP.  As such, the watersheds can be
aggregated into soil classification  groups that are represen-
tative of DDRP regional classifications.  Each watershed will
have dominant soil groupings sampled, and chemical anal-
yses will be completed which will include key predictor vari-
ables in the DDRP models. The DDRP models will then be
run to predict the resulting chronic stream acidification.
Sampling for soil chemical characterization is slated for the
summer of 1988.

Stream and soil sampling, as well as watershed instrumen-
tation, will begin after review and approval of draft plans.

Address inquiries concerning REAM to:
Timothy Strickland
REAM Technical Director
EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
200 S.W. 35th Street
Corvallis, Oregon  97333
(503) 757-4666
FTS: 420-4666

Biologically Relevant Chemistry (BRC)—The initial BRC
sampling effort was conducted from June to September,
1987. Michigan State University  personnel have completed
fish age analyses. Scientists at Cornell University will use
this information to interpret fish species presence/absence
as a function of water chemistry.  A review draft of the
report on fish community status in the  Upper Peninsula of
Michigan will be completed in the summer of 1988.

Address inquiries concerning the BRC  to:
Robert Cusimano
BRC Technical Director
EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
200 S.W. 35th Street
Corvallis, Oregon  97333
(503) 757-4666
FTS: 420-4666

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State Information
 The AERP status provides a forum for states to exchange information and updates about acidic deposi-
 tion monitoring activities. Highlighted state activities are presented below.

 California
 The California Air Resources Board (ARB) completed its fourth field season at Emerald Lake, an Inte-
 grated Watershed Study (IWS) site in Sequoia National Park. The 1987-88 winter field season  is
 underway. The snowmelt period in spring 1988 will be studied intensively to investigate acidic pulse
 phenomena in Emerald Lake. These field data will also be used to verify a snowmelt model formulated
 for the Emerald Lake watershed by researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

 A description of the IWS is included in the ARB's Fifth Annual Report to the Governor and the Legis-
 lature of the ARB's Acid Deposition Research and Monitoring Program. This report is available from
 Dr. Praveen Amar, Research Division, Air Resources Board,  P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812.

 The ARB also sponsored a 50-lake survey throughout California during spring and fall of 1985 and
 1986. Corroborating the findings of the EPA's Western Lake Survey, these lake data, along with other
 available data bases, are being used by researchers from the University of Iowa to perform a regional
 lake assessment for the Sierra Nevada.

 Florida
 The Florida Department of Environmental Regulation is involved in projects that characterize the fisher-
 ies, vegetation, and water quality of twelve lakes potentially  sensitive to acidic deposition. The infor-
 mation obtained from these projects will assist the department in evaluating seasonal changes in lake
 water chemistry. These studies also provide insight  into  the status of fisheries resources in Florida's
 potentially sensitive lakes.

 Maine
 Monitoring activities  in Maine include the following projects:

 High elevation Lake Monitoring (HELM) - During HELM, all 90 lakes in Maine above 600 meters eleva-
 tion were sampled at least twice in  1986 and 1987.  The  lakes were sampled during the fall overturn
 period so that results could be compared to the National  Surface Water Survey Eastern Lake Survey.

 Aquifer Lakes Study (ALPS) - This study identified  and sampled a majority of the lakes in Maine that
 are on, or hydrologically associated with, aquifers. For comparability to the Eastern Lake Survey,
 sampling, which was conducted in 1986 and 1987, included at least one fall index sample for each
 lake.  These lakes are typically of the seepage type and are among the most dilute lakes in Maine.

 Hadlock Pond Watershed Study (HPWS) - The HPWS Project will be implemented in the spring  of
 1988. Sample collection activites will be conducted on Upper Hadlock Pond, a calibrated headwater
 watershed in Acadia  National Park,  Desert Island,  Maine, and three tributary streams. The results
from the calibrated watershed will augment the sparse data  on sulfate and nitrate retention in
 northeastern watersheds.

 Planning is underway for a long-term surface water monitoring program for the state. This plan will
include possible sites from HELM, ALPS, and the Eastern Lake Survey in addition to several stream
sites.

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New Jersey
Since 1975, The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has conducted routine monitor-
ing of streams in two networks throughout the state.  The 82-site "primary" network is sampled six
times per year in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey. A 26-site "basic" network is sampled
four times per year in cooperation with the U.S. EPA.  Fisheries management and lake restoration pro-
grams have also provided data for many lakes and streams in the state.

Although these programs were not designed specifically to monitor possible acid rain effects, some of
their parameters and methods are relevant. Under an integrated acidic deposition monitoring program,
now being designed by a contractor, the Department plans to screen and synthesize the data from
these and other projects.  In doing so, the Department will characterize the State's surface waters and
refine monitoring site selection and strategy for tracking their acidification status.

Texas
Since 1979, the Texas Air Control Board (TACB) has conducted acidic deposition studies.  The TACB
monitors events at Tyler, Fort Worth,  Austin, Beaumont, and Houston. It also operates National
Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) monitors at Longview and Huntsville.

Personnel at TACB, a member of the  Interagency Acid Rain Working Group, collected more than 250
samples in  1987. Sample pH and conductivity were measured and selected ions were analyzed.

Vermont
Vermont is  involved in the following acidic deposition  activities:

Long-Term  Chemical Lake Monitoring - The State began investigation during the winter of 1979 to
determine the chemical constituents  of lakes in Vermont. More than 200 lakes have been sampled.
From this screening, 36 of the lakes thought to be most  sensitive were chosen for long-term chemical
monitoring.

Long-Term  Acid Precipitation Monitoring - In conjunction with lake monitoring, the State  established a
network of eleven precipitation monitors throughout Vermont. The Vermont Acid Precipitation Moni-
toring Program (VAPMP) was implemented in  1980 to determine:

     (1) the pH range of precipitation in Vermont,
     (2) temporal trends in precipitation pH, and
     (3) spatial trends in precipitation pH with respect to elevation, latitude, and longitude.

Results indicate that extremes occur  in pH values, ranging from 2.75 to 7.36.  The highest frequency of
precipitation events falls between 4.20 and 4.40. Also, only four  events in 100 had a pH  greater than
or equal to 5.60, the theoretical pH of unpolluted precipitation.

Lake Biological Monitoring - Twenty-nine of the 36 lakes comprising the Long-Term Chemical Lake
Monitoring  Program have been surveyed for existing fish populations.  Twenty-five of the 36 lakes
have been surveyed for macroinvertebrates. Base-line data for plankton have  been gathered for all 36
lakes; semi-quantitative macrophyte determinations have been made for many of the lakes.

Periodic Resurvey of Sensitive Streams - The streams comprising this program will be resurveyed
periodically. The study is designed to:

     (1) determine  chemical changes in several predominantly headwater rivers resulting from
        spring run-off and
     (2) gather fisheries and chemical data on a select subset of  18 of the streams considered
        most sensitive to acidic deposition.

Virginia
The potential for acid rain effects on the native brook trout streams of Virginia's mountains is greater
than previously thought. This is the initial finding of the Virginia  Trout Stream Sensitivity Study, a
research effort undertaken as a cooperative project by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries, the University of Virginia, and Trout Unlimited.

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 Figure 1.  Distribution of native brook trout streams in Virginia.
The first phase of the project, conducted in 1987, involved an extensive streamwater sampling effort
designed to determine the sensitivity of the trout stream resource and to establish a water chemistry
baseline against which to measure future changes in stream water acidity. A total of 353 native trout
streams, distributed among 31 western Virginia counties, were sampled in a two-week period during
late April and early May. This sample represented about 80 percent of Virginia's identified native trout
streams (see Figure 1).

The sampling effort was organized by the Virginia  Council of Trout Unlimited. This group coordinated
the work of approximately 200 people in collecting and delivering water samples to the project labora-
tory. Participants included representatives of ten Trout Unlimited chapters, Float Fishermen of Virginia,
Shenandoah Outdoors, Forest Service, and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries person-
nel. A number of other volunteers also assisted.

Phase II of the study will be a long-term trend monitoring study to allow early detection of changes in
streamwater composition that may occur as  a result of continued acidic deposition. A subset of 65
streams was selected from the 353 streams  sampled earlier in the year and is being sampled on a
quarterly basis.  The most recent sampling was conducted during the last week in October.

As a result of this study, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is revising future trout stream
sampling plans. Streams indentified as being acidic and have not been sampled within the last three
years will be resampled in the summer of 1988. Additional potentially sensitive streams will be added
to the Department's intensive biological monitoring program based on a review of the quarterly samp-
ling results.

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                                                           AERP status
Temporally Integrated Monitoring of Ecosystems
(TIME)—Two workshops have been held as planning for the
TIME Project, a long-term monitoring effort, continues. A
workshop was held in October to identify lake types of inter-
est to the TIME Project.  A quality assurance workshop was
held in November to provide a forum for discussion of past
approaches and experiences with quality assurance in the
NSWS. The purpose of the workshop was to build on this
experience in order to identify approaches for designing an
optimal quality assurance plan for the TIME Project.
Another workshop is being  planned for March, in which
researchers will investigate how best to incorporate bio-
logical monitoring into the TIME Project.

Address inquiries concerning the TIME Project to:
Jesse Ford
TIME Scientific Director
EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
200 S.W. 35th Street
Corvallis, Oregon  97333
(503) 757-4643
FTS: 420-4643

Synthesis and Integration Activities

Three AERP activities synthesize and integrate project
results: the Regional Case Studies Project, the 1990 AERP
Report, and the Technical Information Project.
Regional Case Studies—Since acidic deposition was identi-
fied in the 1970s as an important issue relative to aquatic
effects, much research has been conducted by a variety of
agencies, institutions, and universities.  This large body of
information has not been analyzed on an integrated,
regional-scale basis. The Regional Case Studies (RCS) Pro-
ject will synthesize previously existing information and
newly acquired information from the AERP to provide
regional comparisons of surface water quality (including
chemistry and biology) in areas of the United States identi-
fied as being potentially sensitive to, changed by, or at risk
because of acidic deposition. Areas of analysis  include
Adirondack National Park, Catskills, northern New England,
central Ontario, Shenandoah National Park, Southern Blue
Ridge Province, northern Florida, Upper Midwest, Rocky
Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Cascade Mountains
(Figure 4).

The primary outputs from this project will be a book and
journal articles emphasizing intra- and inter-regional de-
scriptions and characterizations of surface waters.  The
book, which will be  useful to scientists and decision makers,
will compare conditions among regions and emphasize key
regional differences with respect to the effects of acidic
deposition.  A major feature of the project is the integration
of results of several AERP projects. The integration, ana-
lyses, and written materials generated by the project will
complement the AERP 1990 Program Report effort.
       Cascade
         Mts.
     Sierra
     Nevada
                                                                                               •Adirondacks

                                                                                             Catskilis
                                                                                            Shenandoah
                                                                                            National Park
                                                                                          Southern
                                                                                         Blue Ridge
Figure 4.  Regional Case Studies: Areas of Analysis

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                                                           AERP status
Address inquiries concerning the RCS Project to:
Donald F. Charles
RCS Technical Director
EPA/Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis
200 S.W. 35th Street
Corvallis, Oregon  97333
(503) 757-4329
FTS: 420-4329

1990 AERP Report—A comprehensive report of results
from the AERP will serve as a partial foundation for the
1990 NAPAP Assessment of the regional-scale change to
aquatic resources as a result of acidic deposition. The report
will focus on providing answers to policy questions regard-
ing the present status of surface waters, the potential for
future change, the expected system response to various acid
loading scenarios, and recovery. Key analyses include
regional classification of surface water chemistry and soil
chemistry. Integration of wet and dry deposition monitoring
results is a critical component of these analyses, all of which
depend on sound estimates of acidic deposition levels.
Another area of major emphasis is to evaluate the biological
implications of chemically related conclusions, including his-
torical change, current status, and future change.

Address inquiries concerning the 1990 AERP Report to:
Rick Linthurst
AERP Report Technical Director
EPA/Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory-RTP
RM S 206
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
(919)541-4048
FTS: 629-4048

Technical Information Project—The Technical Information
Project disseminates information on AERP activities to state
agencies, organizations, and technical audiences. Distri-
buted information includes the following items:
•  status - In addition to providing information on current
   activities within the AERP, the status highlights the activi-
   ties of state agencies involved in  projects related to aqua-
   tic effects of acidic deposition. The status provides a
   mechanism for obtaining documents resulting from AERP
   research activities and from the Technical Information
   Project.

•  Major Report with Companion Documents - These docu-
   ment sets consist of a compilation of the manuals and
   reports used during or prepared as a result of a particular
   AERP project. Companion documents to each major data
   report include field operations and quality assurance
   reports, quality assurance plans, and analytical methods
   manuals. The first complete set of documents (Eastern
   Lake Survey -Phase I) is available through the mail order
   form in this issue of the status.  The Western Lake Survey-
   Phase I Major Report (Volumes l-ll) and the National
   Stream Survey Pilot Study Major Report are also
   available.
  Data Bases - Each data base consists of two compo-
  nents: a computer diskette or tape containing the vali-
  dated data base for a particular AERP project and a user's
  guide with instructions on how to use the disk and how
  the quality of the data was assessed. The Western Lake
  Survey - Phase I Data Base is available through the mail
  order form in this issue of the status.

  Handbooks - The handbooks are guidance documents
  that contain procedures for field operations,  laboratory
  operations, and quality assurance for surface water and
  soil chemistry. They are beneficial to those organizations
  involved in designing and implementing monitoring activi-
  ties related to acidic deposition.  The Handbook of
  Methods for Acid Deposition Studies, Laboratory Anal-
  yses for Surface Water Chemistry is available through the
  mail order form in this issue of the status.
•  Biennial Publications and Presentations Journal - This
   document is a compilation of abstracts describing presen-
   tations and publications authored or co-authored by
   AERP-EPA and contractor support personnel. Issues are
   prepared biennially. The first issue covers 1985-1986
   abstracts and is  available through the mail order form in
   this issue of the status.

•  Project  Descriptors - This document is a compilation of
   AERP project descriptions for activities to be performed in
   a given  EPA fiscal year. The first issue covers the October
   1987-September 1988 EPA fiscal year projects. It is
   available through the mail order form in this status.

•  Project  Overviews - Concise project descriptions will
   inform regional EPA offices, state agencies, and other
   interested organizations about AERP projects prior to
   their implementation. A similar document, summarizing
   project  conclusions, will follow at the end of each project.

Address inquiries concerning the AERP Technical Informa-
tion Project to:
Wes Kinney, Technical Director
AERP Technical Information Project
EPA/Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory-
Las Vegas
P.O. Box 93478
Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-3478
(702) 798-2358
FTS: 545-2358

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AERP status

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                                                         AERP status
If you would like to receive any of the following AERP products,

MAJOR REPORT/COMPANION DOCUMENTS

  Eastern Lake Survey - Phase I
   Major Report-Characteristics of Lakes
   in the Eastern United States
     Volumes l-lll	4007  Q
     Volume I  	4007a Q
     Volume II 	4007b Q
     Volume III	4007c Q

   Quality Assurance Plan	4008  Q
   Analytical Methods Manual	4009  Q
   Field Operations Report	4010  n
   Quality Assurance Report 	4011  n

* Western Lake Survey - Phase I
   Major Report-Characteristics of Lakes
   in the Western United States
     Volumes l-ll  	4012  D
     Volume I  	4012a Q
     Volume II 	4012b D

* National Stream Survey - Phase I Pilot Study
   Major Report  	4017  Q
                                                        please check the appropriate box(es).

                                                         DATA BASES

                                                           Western Lake Survey - Phase I  Data Base
                                                              (Special order form will be sent)	
2027
                                                         HANDBOOKS

                                                            Handbook of Methods for Acid Deposition,
                                                            Laboratory Analyses for
                                                            Surface Water Chemistry   	
                                                         PROJECT DESCRIPTORS

                                                          * Research Activity Descriptors, FY 1988,
                                                            October 1987-September 1988  	
3026
6001
                                                          Publications listed for the first time.
Would you like to be included on the mailing list for future editions of the AERP status?

         [3 Yes            n No

If you are on the mailing list for the AERP status, do you want to remain?

         D Yes            n No
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