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Response of lake chemistry to atmospheric deposition and climate in selected Class I wilderness areas in the western United States, 1993-2009

Fact Sheet 2011-3084
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20113084

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Air Resource Management, conducted a study to evaluate long-term trends in lake-water chemistry for 64 high-elevation lakes in selected Class I wilderness areas in Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming during 1993 to 2009. Understanding how and why lake chemistry is changing in mountain areas is essential for effectively managing and protecting high-elevation aquatic ecosystems. Trends in emissions, atmospheric deposition, and climate variables (air temperature and precipitation amount) were evaluated over a similar period of record. A main objective of the study was to determine if changes in atmospheric deposition of contaminants in the Rocky Mountain region have resulted in measurable changes in the chemistry of high-elevation lakes. A second objective was to investigate linkages between lake chemistry and air temperature and precipitation to improve understanding of the sensitivity of mountain lakes to climate variability.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Response of lake chemistry to atmospheric deposition and climate in selected Class I wilderness areas in the western United States, 1993-2009
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2011-3084
DOI 10.3133/fs20113084
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Colorado Water Science Center
Description 6 p.
Time Range Start 1992-10-01
Time Range End 2009-09-30
Country United States
State Colorado;Idaho;Utah;Wyoming
Projection Universal Transverse Mercator project, zone 13
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details