Surface waters in Indiana have not been shown susceptible to changes from the accumulation of acid rain deposition. The soils and basic geology of extreme southern Indiana in the Hoosier National Forest in Perry County appear to be the type which may be sensitive to acid inputs.Potential changes in selected characteristics of Oriole Pond, Perry County, Indiana, due to acid rain investigated using laboratory microcosm experiments. Oriole Pond water samples were analyzed for selected characteristics including: alkalinity, conductivity and pH. Microcosm systems, established in a light controlled laboratory environment using pond water and pond water with sediment, were treated with four pH levels (5.6, 4.5, 4.0, and 3.5) of simulated acid rain (SAR) and subsequently analyzed for changes in the selected characteristics.Microcosm experiments revealed water from Oriole Pond was vulnerable to acid precipitation in varying degrees. All of the characteristics monitored including alkalinity, conductivity, and pH, showed decreases regardless of experimental microcosm conditions. Those microcosms with pond water and sediment showed greatest decreases with addition of SAR due to low buffering capacity especially at SAR treatment levels of pH 4.0 and 3.5. The extremely low bufferingcapacity and existing acidic nature of soils from the pond site provide conditions where the negative impact from acid rain is potentially great.
Research Papers [5100] Research papers submitted to the Graduate School by Ball State University master's degree candidates in partial fulfillment of degree requirements.