Abstract.
Critical loads of acidity have been estimated for Irish lakes (277) using survey data from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and compatible inputs and methods across both regions. This is the first trans-region application of the Steady-State Water Chemistry model for the island of Ireland. Results indicate that a small percentage of lakes (10.8%, 30 lakes) have low critical loads of acidity (<50.0 mmolc m–2 yr–1). Based on bulk sulphate deposition, exceedance of critical load was observed in 6.9% of the sampled lakes (19 lakes). Inferences relating to the whole lake population cannot be made, as statistical lake surveys were not carried out. However, as the surveys were weighted towards acid-sensitive lakes, the current study suggests that Irish lakes are not under a significant threat from anthropogenic acidification. The acidifying impact of nitrogen was incorporated into the exceedance calcula tion by superimposing the present leaching of nitrogen onto sulphate deposition. This increased exceedance by 40% (i.e., from 11 to 19 lakes). Despite the potential uncertainties associated with using default values and relationships in the Steady-State Water Chemistry model, uncertainty analysis indicated that the critical loads were relatively stable. The critical acid neutralising capacity limit (specified water quality criterion) had the greatest effect on the critical load. In the current study, a catchment dependent limit was employed (ranged: 0–50 μmolc L–1; mean: 35 μmolc L–1) rather than a single fixed value.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 12 June 2002; revised manuscript accepted: 30 October 2002
RID="*"
ID="*"Corresponding author present address: Environmental and Resource Studies, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8, Canada; phone: +1-705-748-1011 ext. 5351; fax: +1-705-748-1569; e-mail: julian.aherne@ucd.ie¶ Published on Web: March 19, 2003
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Aherne, J., Curtis, C. Critical loads of acidity for Irish lakes. Aquat. Sci. 65, 21–35 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000270300002
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000270300002