The River Bjerkreim in SW Norway - Successful Chemical and Biological Recovery after Liming

On a large scale, the acidified River Bjerkreim, southwestern Norway, has been treated with lime since the autumn 1996. During the Atlantic salmon (Salmon salar) smolting period pH has been above 6.2 and LAl concentrations below 10 µg L-l. Before 1996, only the western part of the watercourse harboured acid-sensitive species, such as the Atlantic salmon, snails, mayflies, daphnids and Gammarus lacustris. Prior to liming in 1996, Atlantic salmon fry (0+) and parr (≥1+) were found in 4 of 20 sampling sites, contrary to 17 (fry) and 12 (parr) in 1999. Atlantic salmon catches have increased from about 0.8 tons in 1994 to about 10 tons in 1998 and 1999. Acid-sensitive invertebrates have invaded the limed parts of the river.