Assessing the impacts of acidification on Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ): a simple model of stream chemistry
We developed a model that simulates the effects of changes in sulphate (SO 4 2- ) deposition on the chemistry of naturally organic-rich streams, linked this chemical model to a model of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) production (Korman et al. 1994. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 51: 662-680), and assessed...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1998
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f98-102 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f98-102 |
| Summary: | We developed a model that simulates the effects of changes in sulphate (SO 4 2- ) deposition on the chemistry of naturally organic-rich streams, linked this chemical model to a model of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) production (Korman et al. 1994. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 51: 662-680), and assessed its performance on three acidified streams in southwest Nova Scotia. The chemical model closely tracked current chemistry by estimating the charge density required for charge balance on each sampling date. Calculated charge densities were generally low (1-3 µequiv./mg dissolved organic carbon (DOC)), inversely related to DOC, and positively related to pH. Predictions of minimum pH and salmon smolt output were relatively insensitive to the assumed F-factor (watershed neutralization of deposited acidity) in the parameter range most likely for the three streams. The model permits rapid impact assessment of acid deposition scenarios with a modest amount of input data (acid-neutralizing capacity, pH, SO 4 2- , and DOC, ideally sampled weekly) while retaining natural cycles and processes. |
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