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Holly Tuck
James Madison University

Subject Listing - Chemistry
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Downey

Thursday, Poster Session 2, Presentation Kiosk 14 C, Health & Fitness Center

SUCCESS OF LIMING A "SINKING STREAM" VERSUS A PERENNIAL SURFACE STREAM

Mountain Run is located in the George Washington National Forest, part of the Massanutten Mountain Range of Virginia. Brook trout and other species suffered severe losses in the 1980's due to atmospheric acid injection (acid rain). Mountain Run was treated with limestone to restore water quality initially at a location in a lower reach that flows perennially and later in an upper reach that experiences several sinks into the soil. Water quality parameters (WQP) were analyzed and fish inventories were taken from 1992 until present time. Key WQP values were as follows for four locations: upstream of the perennial site, 1.25 km downstream of the perennial site, upstream of the sinking site and 1.25 km downstream of the sinking site. Average values found were pH = 4.64, 5.73, 4.59, 5.05; ANC = -22.2, 20.1, -28.2, -6.9 (μeq/L); Ca:H = 1.3, 265.1, 0.87, 9.0; Al= 303, 108, 409, 184 (ppb). The only location that accommodates trout is the area 1.25 km downstream of the lower reach with a perennial flow. This study compares the effectiveness of liming Mountain Run in the two locations, and how the response from the upper reach is less efficient due to the sinks in the stream and the acidic nature of the soil.

Advisor: Dr. Daniel Downey, Professor, Chemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA