Effects of Mineral Acid Deposition on Concentrations of Dissolved Organic Acids in Surface Waters

摘要

Data have accumulated in recent years from a variety of sources suggesting that concentrations of organic acids may have decreased in surface waters in response to increased mineral acidity. These include laboratory studies, paleoecological investigations, theoretical considerations, and limited field observations of temporal and spatial trends in lakewater chemistry. Failure to consider the suspected changes in organics could result in overestimation of both past and future changes in acid neutralizing capacity and pH in response to changes in acidic deposition. The paper presents a review of current research on possible changes in surface water organic acid concentrations with changes in mineral acidity. The review examines data whereby organic acids might change in response to acidification. It also discusses potential chemical, physical, and biological effects of reduced DOC, and summarizes important research needs.