Water chemistry of high elevation Colorado wilderness lakes

Abstract

High elevation alpine and subalpine Rocky Mountain lakes in Colorado and southeastern Wyoming were examined to determine regional variability in water chemistry and their sensitivity to atmospheric deposition. Acid neutralizing capacity, pH, conductivity and concentrations of major anions and cations were compared. Regional differences in water chemistry are evident. The south-eastern most lakes have significantly higher pH, conductivity, ANC, and sums of acid and base concentrations than lakes in the other regions of the state. In contrast the north-western most lakes are significantly more dilute than those from other regions. Despite these two regional differences, most regions are similar in having a wide range of variability in potential sensitivity of their lakes to acidification and nitrogen export. Many wilderness areas in western and eastern regions contains lakes that are extremely sensitive and other lakes not susceptible to deposition. Overall, 70% of the Colorado lakes are sensitive to acidification and 15% are extremely sensitive to acidification. All of the regions had lakes that are classified as susceptible or sensitive to acidification, with 12 of the 17 areas having all of their sampled lakes susceptible or sensitive. Generally NO concentration in surface waters decreased from mid-season to late season; yet a large number of the lakes export NO late in the season, suggesting nitrogen saturation. The results confirm the sensitivity of high elevation wilderness aquatic ecosystems in all regions of Colorado to acidification and nitrogen deposition.