Soil liming as a measure to mitigate acid runoff

• Published in: Water resources research 1988-05, Vol.24 (5), p.701-712
• Main Authors: Warfvinge, Per, Sverdrup, Harald
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0043-1397; 1944-7973
• DOI: 10.1029/WR024i005p00701

Watershed liming is one method to decrease the acidity of surface waters. To gain an understanding of the mechanisms involved in terrestrial liming and to develop a tool for planning and evaluation, a mathematical model has been developed. The model includes key chemical processes such as limestone dissolution, cation‐exchange reactions, and leaching and accumulation of dissolved species. The ability of the model to describe the short and long‐term improvement in stream water quality following wetland liming is demonstrated by comparing the model calculations with data from two Swedish full‐scale liming experiments. The influence of temporal hydrological and chemical variations on model output is assessed. The sensitivity of the system response to liming is analyzed with respect to three design parameters: the amount and the fineness of the liming material, and the fraction of the watershed that is treated. The simulations illustrate the importance of careful soil and hydrological characterization of treated watersheds to ensure that the limestome dose and the treated area are sufficient to ensure a satisfactory increase in stream pH and resistance to reacidification.