PLANKTON COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO THE CHEMICAL NEUTRALIZATION OF THREE ACIDIFIED WATERS IN THE ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN REGION OF NEW YORK STATE

ABSTRACT

The response of the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities of three acidic Adirondack lakes to chemical neutralization is reported. The addition of base to the three lakes effectively neutralized acid conditions, raising pH from ~4.50 to 6.02 to 7.3. Concentrations of major ions were generally unaffected by neutralization treatment but aluminum concentrations were reduced. The phytoplankton and planktonic rotifer communities were initially decimated by the water column treatments but recovered within the first growing season following treatment. Species richness and standing crops of phytoplankton and rotifers approached or exceeded pre-treatment values within a year of neutralization. The crustacean community was generally slower to respond to base additions. Phytoplankton, rotifer, and crustacean community composition was changed in all lakes following treatment.