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SFS Annual Meeting

Wednesday, May 22, 2019
09:00 - 10:30

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09:00 - 09:15: / 151 DEF A CLEAN AIR ACT SUCCESS STORY: RECOVERING FISH ASSEMBLAGES AND WATER QUALITY IN ACIDIFIED STREAMS OF NEW YORK

5/22/2019  |   09:00 - 09:15   |  151 DEF

A CLEAN AIR ACT SUCCESS STORY: RECOVERING FISH ASSEMBLAGES AND WATER QUALITY IN ACIDIFIED STREAMS OF NEW YORK Acid deposition has adversely affected aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in many watersheds across the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains in New York over the past five decades. The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) reduced acidity of many lakes in the Adirondacks but had little effect on streams until only recently. Water chemistry and flow (monitored from 1991 to 2017) and fish data from quantitative surveys (done from 1979 to 2017) in streams of both regions were assessed to ascertain their responses to the CAAA. From 1991 to 2017, sulfate and inorganic Al concentrations decreased significantly, and nitrate remained unchanged in most streams; whereas, acid neutralizing capacity and pH remained unchanged or increased slightly in several streams. Except for streams with barriers, density and biomass of many fish communities (and brook trout populations), and total richness increased in de-acidifying Catskill streams. Moderate decreases in Al-toxicity were evident in one Adirondack stream, but too little fish data were available to determine if widespread biological recovery is underway across this region. Clearly, chemistry in many streams, and biology in some streams of New York are beginning to recover due to the 1990 CAAA.

Barry Baldigo (Primary Presenter/Author), U.S. Geological Survey, bbaldigo@usgs.gov;


Scott George (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Geological Survey, sgeorge@usgs.gov;


Greg Lawrence (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Geological Survey, glawrenc@usgs.gov;


Michael McHale (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Geological Survey, mmchale@sugs.gov;


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09:15 - 09:30: / 151 DEF REDUCTION IN EMISSIONS AND DEPOSITION, IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER QUALITY, AND AQUATIC CRITICAL LOADS RESEARCH IN THE U.S. SINCE THE 1990 CAAA

5/22/2019  |   09:15 - 09:30   |  151 DEF

REDUCTION IN EMISSIONS AND DEPOSITION, IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER QUALITY, AND AQUATIC CRITICAL LOADS RESEARCH IN THE U.S. SINCE THE 1990 CAAA In the 1980s, emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) mainly in the eastern US had far-reaching impacts on aquatic life from acidification of sensitive waterbodies. The Acid Rain Program (ARP), established under Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, requires major emission reductions of SO2 and NOx from the power industry with the intention of decreasing acidic deposition to sensitive systems, allowing aquatic life to recover from acidification. Implementation of subsequent USEPA regulations has further reduced emissions to 1.5 million tons of SO2 from the power sector in 2017, a 91 percent reduction from 1990 levels. NO2 emissions have also declined sharply to 1.2 million tons from the power sector, a 77 percent reduction from 2000 levels. These large reductions in emissions have resulted in marked improvements in air quality and acidic (N & S) deposition. Today total sulfur deposition (wet plus dry) is 88 percent lower than in 1990 across much of the eastern US. As a result, significant improvements in water quality and critical load exceedances (i.e. 70 percent reduction) have occurred, indicating aquatic ecosystems in North America are recovering from acidification.

Jason Lynch (Primary Presenter/Author), US Environmental Protection Agency, lynch.jason@epa.gov;


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09:30 - 09:45: / 151 DEF REGIONAL STREAM ACIDIFICATION AND CRITICAL LOADS IN THE ADIRONDACK AND SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS INCLUDING INTERACTIONS WITH CLIMATE CHANGE

5/22/2019  |   09:30 - 09:45   |  151 DEF

REGIONAL STREAM ACIDIFICATION AND CRITICAL LOADS IN THE ADIRONDACK AND SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS INCLUDING INTERACTIONS WITH CLIMATE CHANGE Despite decreases in atmospheric nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) deposition over the past several decades, stream acidity remains suppressed relative to pre-industrial conditions in many areas of the eastern United States. Streams located in particularly acid-sensitive areas continue to be exposed to levels of atmospheric N and S deposition above what is needed to attain stream acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) expected to be generally protective of acid-sensitive biota in the long term. Some streams may not be able to fully recover to pre-industrial ANC conditions due to a combination of extensive historical soil base cation depletion and low base cation weathering rates. Future changes in climate may play a role in acidification recovery and interact with acidification impacts to result in habitat loss for acid-sensitive coldwater species such as brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). These topics were explored at the regional scale within the Adirondack Mountains and southern Appalachian Mountains, two regions of the United States where extensive research into surface water acidification has occurred.

Todd McDonnell (Primary Presenter/Author), E&S Environmental Chemistry, Inc., todd.mcdonnell@esenvironmental.com;


Timothy Sullivan (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), E&S Environmental Chemistry, Inc., tim.sullivan@esenvironmental.com;


Charles Driscoll (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Syracuse University, ctdrisco@syr.edu ;


Bernard J. Cosby (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Center for Ecology & Hydrology, jaccos@ceh.ac.uk;


William Jackson (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Forest Service (retired), bjackson28806@gmail.com;


Greg Lawrence (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Geological Survey, glawrenc@usgs.gov;


Doug Burns (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USGS, daburns@usgs.gov;


Andy Dolloff (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Forest Service, adolloff@fs.fed.us;


Colin Beier (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, cbeier@esf.edu;


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09:45 - 10:00: / 151 DEF STREAMS ON ACID AND THEIR CALCIUM CARBONATE ANTIDOTE!

5/22/2019  |   09:45 - 10:00   |  151 DEF

STREAMS ON ACID AND THEIR CALCIUM CARBONATE ANTIDOTE! We studied 5 Adirondack Mountain streams, 2 chronically acidic, 2 episodically acidic and 1 neutral stream. Lime was annually applied directly to 2 episodically acid streams from 2012 to 2015, and in 2013, we aerially applied lime to the drainage basin of a chronically acid stream. Rates of leaf decomposition and microbial respiration as well as macroinvertebrate community dynamics were compared across streams for summer and autumn in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018. Results showed lower leaf decomposition and microbial respiration rates in chronically acidic versus episodically acidic streams, and overall, decomposition rates were highest in summer. Macroinvertebrate densities and diversity were higher in summer than autumn and higher in neutral and episodically acid streams because of occurrence of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera. In 2015 and especially 2018, the stream in the aerially limed catchment had higher microbial respiration and leaf decomposition rates and there were more caddisfly shredders in the limed versus chronically acid reference stream. Results suggest aerial lime applications are a more effective restoration tool to improve stream ecosystem function given the greater response of the microbial and macroinvertebrate community to this type of manipulation.

Randy Fuller (Primary Presenter/Author), Colgate University, rfuller@colgate.edu;


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10:00 - 10:15: / 151 DEF TRAJECTORIES OF RECOVERY FROM ACID RAIN OVER 31 YEARS (AMBIENT) AND 2 YEARS (EXPERIMENTAL) AT THE BEAR BROOK WATERSHED IN MAINE (BBWM), USA

5/22/2019  |   10:00 - 10:15   |  151 DEF

TRAJECTORIES OF RECOVERY FROM ACID RAIN OVER 31 YEARS (AMBIENT) AND 2 YEARS (EXPERIMENTAL) AT THE BEAR BROOK WATERSHED IN MAINE (BBWM), USA BBWM is a paired forested watershed experiment. The untreated watershed (EB) experienced a relatively constant decline in SO4 and NO3 deposition during the study (1987-2018). Ca and Mg in EB runoff declined faster than (SO4+NO3), resulting in acidification (lower alkalinity and pH, higher Al+n) until 2005; alkalinity and pH then increased slowly as base cations reached a minimum about 2015 and started increasing. The WB watershed received bimonthly applications of (NH4)2SO4 from 1989 to 2016. Na and K in EB and WB runoff are dominated by atmospheric input and runoff of marine aerosols, and plant uptake and leaf senescence, respectively. WB runoff, almost immediately after treatment started, had higher SO4 and NO3, increased base cations, H+, and Al+n. Base cations increased until about 1995, and then declined to near pre-treatment values by 2016. SO4+NO3 remained elevated but declined slowly. Since 2016, NO3 dramatically declined to virtually the detection limit, while SO4 remains elevated. Retention of NO3 during treatment was ~80% and nearly 100% since 2015. Neither watershed has reached equilibrium. The recovery trajectory of WB chemistry is steeper than, and lags behind, that of EB.

Stephen Norton (Primary Presenter/Author), University of Maine, Norton@maine.edu;


Ivan Fernandez (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Maine, Ivanjf@Maine.edu;


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10:15 - 10:30: / 151 DEF USING CRITICAL LOADS OF AQUATIC SYSTEMS TO GUIDE FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT

5/22/2019  |   10:15 - 10:30   |  151 DEF

USING CRITICAL LOADS OF AQUATIC SYSTEMS TO GUIDE FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT The National Park Service protects the natural and cultural diversity of some of America’s definitive landscapes. Many of these areas have long been deteriorating due to acid rain pollution which has begun a rapid decline after the passage of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment. But, as emissions began to decline not all affected ecosystems responded in kind. Therefore scientists and managers came together to identify thresholds of pollution at which ecosystems were expected to change, and thus provide a goal for future emissions reductions to preserve parks and allow them to recover. Critical loads of aquatic systems identify the amount of pollution at which negative impacts occur (decreased ANC/pH) to freshwater and the species existing within (decline in fish growth/reproduction). These thresholds are used to understand the risk to park resources, and have been an effective tool for communication among scientists, managers, policy makers, and the public. As emissions are declining below the critical loads, we are seeing some systems rebound while others remain impaired. Comparing and contrasting how species are responding allows managers to determine where active management (liming, species reintroduction) is necessary to rebuild the natural community.

Michael Bell (Primary Presenter/Author), National Park Service, Air Resources Division, michael_d_bell@nps.gov;


Andrea Stacy (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), National Park Service, Air Resources Division, andrea_stacy@nps.gov ;


Jim Renfro (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Great Smoky Mountains National Park, jim_renfro@nps.gov ;


Jayln Cummings (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Shenandoah National Park, jalyn_cummings@nps.gov ;


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