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Preface
Air pollution adversely affects lakes and streams (collectively called surface
waters) and their watersheds throughout the developed world. Some of the
most widely studied air pollutants that affect freshwaters include acid precursors such as sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N); nutrients (mainly N); and toxics
such as mercury (Hg), pesticides, and combustion by-products. These pollutants can have an impact on water quality and harm sensitive species of aquatic
biota. They also alter the chemistry of watershed soils, with potential impacts
on plant roots and other terrestrial life-forms. Scientists study freshwater to
improve understanding of processes that govern the biogeochemistry of the
entire landscape, not just the aquatic portions of it. The chemistry of drainage
water integrates a host of terrestrial and aquatic processes, including acidification, nutrient cycling, and bioaccumulation of toxic substances. These processes interact with water as it moves from the atmosphere as precipitation
through the soil and into the groundwater and eventually to streams, lakes,
rivers, and estuaries.
To develop an understanding of water quality, scientists collect samples of
lake and stream water, measure in a laboratory the concentrations of various
chemical constituents, document the quality of the resulting data, and ascertain potential effects on sensitive life-forms that inhabit that water. Specific
kinds of data analyses, including statistical applications, are conducted. This
book provides instructions regarding how to do all of that. We summarize the
collective experience of three researchers who have been studying the effects
of air pollutants on soils, waters, and associated biota across the United States
for the past three decades. The presentation includes many examples of sampling, analysis, and interpretation techniques. This book is targeted to students
and practitioners of biogeochemistry, water resources, and aquatic and terrestrial ecology and to water resource professionals and other scientists and
resource managers.
A host of questions revolve around, and depend on, the study of water
quality. What lakes are acid sensitive or acid affected? Is a stream limited in
its primary productivity by N, phosphorus (P), light, or something else? Have
mayflies, zooplankton, or fish been impacted by too much acidity? If so,
which species? Do pesticide applications in the lower-elevation agricultural
lands affect amphibians in the nearby mountain lakes? What is the critical
Preface
Air pollution adversely affects lakes and streams (collectively called surface
waters) and their watersheds throughout the developed world. Some of the
most widely studied air pollutants that affect freshwaters include acid precursors such as sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N); nutrients (mainly N); and toxics
such as mercury (Hg), pesticides, and combustion by-products. These pollutants can have an impact on water quality and harm sensitive species of aquatic
biota. They also alter the chemistry of watershed soils, with potential impacts
on plant roots and other terrestrial life-forms. Scientists study freshwater to
improve understanding of processes that govern the biogeochemistry of the
entire landscape, not just the aquatic portions of it. The chemistry of drainage
water integrates a host of terrestrial and aquatic processes, including acidification, nutrient cycling, and bioaccumulation of toxic substances. These processes interact with water as it moves from the atmosphere as precipitation
through the soil and into the groundwater and eventually to streams, lakes,
rivers, and estuaries.
To develop an understanding of water quality, scientists collect samples of
lake and stream water, measure in a laboratory the concentrations of various
chemical constituents, document the quality of the resulting data, and ascertain potential effects on sensitive life-forms that inhabit that water. Specific
kinds of data analyses, including statistical applications, are conducted. This
book provides instructions regarding how to do all of that. We summarize the
collective experience of three researchers who have been studying the effects
of air pollutants on soils, waters, and associated biota across the United States
for the past three decades. The presentation includes many examples of sampling, analysis, and interpretation techniques. This book is targeted to students
and practitioners of biogeochemistry, water resources, and aquatic and terrestrial ecology and to water resource professionals and other scientists and
resource managers.
A host of questions revolve around, and depend on, the study of water
quality. What lakes are acid sensitive or acid affected? Is a stream limited in
its primary productivity by N, phosphorus (P), light, or something else? Have
mayflies, zooplankton, or fish been impacted by too much acidity? If so,
which species? Do pesticide applications in the lower-elevation agricultural
lands affect amphibians in the nearby mountain lakes? What is the critical