This thesis presents data from an integrated study of precip~tation, ground and surface water chemistry from 460 km of the Peak District, between May 1987 and April 1988. All samples have been analysed for a suite of nine major ions. Data have been used to: (1) describe temporal and spatial variability of acid precipitation and deposition; (2); examine the controls on precipitation chemistry; (3) describe the chemistry of sampled waters and elucidate catchment processes; and (4) examine the impact of bulk deposition on ground and surface water chemistry. The dense network of collectors has clearly identified significant small scale variability of precipitation chemistry across the study area. However, temporal variability is consistent with observations of other workers. It has been statistically demonstrated that calcium and non-marine sulphate have a close temporal and spatial association. This is hypothesised as being the result of atmospheric reactions between regional gaseous sulphur dioxide and extractive industry derived calcium. The resultant calcium sulphate is prinCipally removed by below cloud scavenging and dry deposition. All sampled groundwaters bave .a high acid neutralising capacity which illustrates the dominance of limestone solutional processes. Surface waters have relatively high concentrations of base cations indicating some buffering potential. However, high variability of bo~~ hydrogen and aluminium suggests a limited buffering capability during storm events. Advanced statistical techniques have demonstrated a complex association between surface water acidification and the bulk deposition of marine ions. This is consistent with the findings of other researchers. Cross and partial correlation have shown the mobility of aluminium in acid sensitive waters to be related to elevated loadings of hydrogen. This research has demonstrated the importance of finescale resolution in precipitation chemistry monitoring networks. Advanced statistical techniques have identified relationships between precipitation chemistry and ground and surface water quality in a geologically complex ..environment.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:328398 |
| Date | January 1989 |
| Creators | Raper, David William |
| Publisher | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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