Acid episodes in the Allt a'Mharcaidh, Scotland: an investigation based on sub-hourly monitoring data and climatic patterns.

Bonjean, M. C.; Hutchins, M. G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3764-5331; Neal, Colin. 2007 Acid episodes in the Allt a'Mharcaidh, Scotland: an investigation based on sub-hourly monitoring data and climatic patterns. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 11 (1). 340-355.

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text Bonjeanhess-11-340-2007.pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract/Summary

Stream waters in the Allt a'Mharcaidh catchment (Cairngorms, Scotland) have been monitored for flow, conductivity and pH at sub-hourly resolution; and for a range of chemical, biological and physical parameters, less intensively, since the mid-1980s. The Allt a'Mharcaidh stream is subject to acidic events (pH<5.5) triggered by both hydrology and sea-salt inputs from the atmosphere. This paper investigates the drivers of these acidic events using variables derived from sub-hourly monitored data. It also examines the influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on episode severity. Sub-hourly datasets are used to derive multiple regression models expressing stream H+ concentration as a function of the sea-salt conductivity and the peak instantaneous flow rate amongst other explanatory variables. The relationship between sea-salt conductivity and the NAO is significant but hidden due to issues such as time lags and the influence of atmospheric patterns other than the NAO.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Water
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Acreman Boorman (to September 2014)
ISSN:	1027-5606
Additional Keywords:	acidic episodes, stream, sub-hourly monitoring, sea-salt conductivity, Antecedent Runoff Index, North Atlantic Oscillation, UK AWMN, Mharcaidh
NORA Subject Terms:	Hydrology
Date made live:	18 Jan 2008 15:01 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/2127

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...