What water chemistry changes occur due to acid?
The measure of acidity in stream water is called pH. The lower the pH, the higher the acidity. Low pH causes aquatic life to suffer due to stress in mucous membranes and gills. Loss of calcium ion and other electrolytes occur which lead to disease and mortality. Aquatic insects and juvenile fish are most affected. Aluminum is a naturally occurring element that is toxic to fish. It is mobilized from minerals into the water when acidity levels increase. The decrease in pH is the result of the acid in rainwater and other precipitation removing the stream’s acid neutralizing capacity or ANC. Measurement of ANC is an important means of establishing the vulnerability of a stream or lake to acid rain. What does liming do?When calcium carbonate dissolves it provides both calcium ions and carbonate ions. The calcium ions are beneficial for aquatic life as mentioned above. The carbonate ion reacts with acid to form bicarbonate. This reaction neutralizes the acid which, in turn, improves the pH a
