Abstract: An investigation of spatial and temporal variations of chloride concentrations in selected watersheds of southwestern Nova Scotia

2009 
Environment Canada has monitored the aquatic chemistry of the Kejimkujik region of southwestern Nova Scotia for thirty years and researchers have long recognized a chloride imbalance of outputs and inputs. A comparison of chloride output in streams to the chloride inputs of wet (precipitation) and dry (aerosols) deposition has revealed consistent and significant excess chloride in streams up to an order of magnitude greater than that measured in wet and dry deposition. The focus of this study is to identify and quantify the source(s) of the excess chloride. Presented here are preliminary synthesis results of the Environment Canada data set. These results display spatial and temporal variation of chloride concentrations offering insight into potential sources of excess chloride. Chloride concentrations are variable between watersheds, suggesting a geological or anthropogenic source of excess chloride. Seasonal variations of excess chloride suggest a possible unmeasured atmospheric source. Comparison of Na:Cl ratios in deposition and streams show the chloride in the stream is influenced by solid-phase sodium chloride, rather than the ionic phase in seawater. Chloride in streams is used as a proxy for marine sulphate contributions to the acidification of fresh waters. Identification of the source(s) of excess chloride in streams has implications for the calculation of the sulphate budget in fresh water.
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