Acidic deposition along the Appalachian Trail corridor and its effects on acid-sensitive terrestrial and aquatic resources

Gregory B. Lawrence; Timothy J. Sullivan; Douglas A. Burns; Scott W. Bailey; Bernard J. Cosby; Martin Dovciak; Holly A. Ewing; Todd C. McDonnell; Rakesh Minocha; Rachel Riemann; Juliana Quant; Karen C. Rice; Jason Siemion; Kathleen C. Weathers

Acidic deposition along the Appalachian Trail corridor and its effects on acid-sensitive terrestrial and aquatic resources

U.S. National Park Service; USGS

By: Gregory B. Lawrence, Timothy J. Sullivan, Douglas A. Burns, Scott W. Bailey, Bernard J. Cosby, Martin Dovciak, Holly A. Ewing, Todd C. McDonnell, Rakesh Minocha, Rachel Riemann, Juliana Quant, Karen C. Rice, Jason Siemion, and Kathleen C. Weathers

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Abstract

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT), a unit of the National Park Service (NPS), spans nearly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, encompassing a diverse range of ecosystems. Acidic deposition (acid rain) threatens the AT’s natural resources. Acid rain is a result of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) compounds produced from fossil fuel combustion, motor vehicles, and agricultural practices. The AT is particularly vulnerable to S and N because it passes along ridgetops that receive higher levels of acid rain than lower valley terrain, and these ridges are often underlain by bedrock with minimal ability to buffer acidic inputs. Further, there are numerous S and N emission sources across the region. In the environment, acidic deposition can lower the pH of streams and soils which can ultimately affect fish, invertebrates, and vegetation that inhabit these areas. To address this concern, the MegaTransect Deposition Effects Study evaluated the condition and sensitivity of the AT corridor with respect to acidic deposition, and defined air pollution thresholds (critical and target loads) and recovery rates. Findings indicate that additional S emission reductions are needed to restore the AT.

Suggested Citation

Lawrence, G.B., Sullivan, T.J., Burns, D.A., Bailey, S.W., Cosby, B.J., Dovciak, M., Ewing, H., McDonnell, T.C., Minocha, R., Riemann, R., Quant, J., Rice, K.C., Siemion, J., Weathers, K.C., 2015, Acidic deposition along the Appalachian Trail corridor and its effects on acid-sensitive terrestrial and aquatic resources, Report: xxvii., 241 p.; Summaries; GIS Data.

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Report
Publication Subtype	Other Government Series
Title	Acidic deposition along the Appalachian Trail corridor and its effects on acid-sensitive terrestrial and aquatic resources
Year Published	2015
Language	English
Publisher	National Park Service
Publisher location	Fort Collins, CO
Contributing office(s)	New York Water Science Center, Virginia Water Science Center
Description	Report: xxvii., 241 p.; Summaries; GIS Data
Public Comments	National Park Service Natural Resources Report NPS/NRSS/ARD/NRR-2015/996.
Country	United States
State	Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia
Other Geospatial	Appalachian Trail