Fish-assemblage and water-quality recovery with declining acidic deposition in Adirondack mountain streams, New York, USA

Freshwater Science
By: , and 

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Abstract

Long-term records of air-pollutant emissions and atmospheric deposition, as well as water quality in streams of the Adirondack Mountains of New York, USA, indicate that chemical recovery from acidic deposition is progressing. Although Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814) have recently repopulated several lakes, the degree to which fish assemblages and individual species populations have recovered in streams of the region is unknown. The United States Geological Survey sampled acid–base chemistry and fish assemblages at 42 Adirondack region streams (2014–2021), most of which were also sampled in 2 prior periods (primarily 1979–1984 and 1999), to determine the extent and degree of chemical and biological recovery and whether responses could be linked to regional declines in acidic deposition. Between 1990 and 2021, total annual emissions of SO2 and NOx declined nationwide by 94% and 87%, respectively, and paralleled 88% and 70% decreases in SO42− and NO3 concentrations, respectively, in wet deposition in the region. During this interval, mean acid neutralizing capacity increased by 19.9 µeq/L, pH increased by 0.33 units, and inorganic Al (Ali) decreased by 6.0 µmol/L at one continuously monitored stream, whereas mean acid neutralizing capacity increased by 38.5 µeq/L and mean Ali concentration decreased by ∼3.0 µmol/L during springtime at all 42 Adirondack region streams. Between the 1st and 3rd periods, mean fish-assemblage richness, density, and biomass at 40 sites increased by 112%, 236%, and 66%, respectively. Although mean Brook Trout density and biomass did not meaningfully change among periods, their distribution expanded from 20 sites in the strongly impacted sampling period (1979–1984) to 33 sites in the recovery period (2014–2021). Trends in pollutant emissions and deposition, water quality, and fish-assemblage metrics indicate aquatic ecosystems in many Adirondack mountain streams improved markedly following implementation of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and recent N and S allowance-trading and emissions regulations.

Suggested Citation

Baldigo, B.P., George, S.D., and Lawrence, G.B., 2025, Fish-assemblage and water-quality recovery with declining acidic deposition in Adirondack mountain streams, New York, USA: Freshwater Science, v. 44, no. 4, p. 443-462, https://doi.org/10.1086/738871.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Fish-assemblage and water-quality recovery with declining acidic deposition in Adirondack mountain streams, New York, USA
Series title Freshwater Science
DOI 10.1086/738871
Edition 2025
Volume 44
Issue 4
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher University of Chicago Press
Contributing office(s) New York Water Science Center
Description 20 p.
First page 443
Last page 462
Country United States
State New York
Other Geospatial Adirondack State Park
Additional publication details