Acidification of surface waters in two areas of the Eastern United States

Acidification by precipitation of undisturbed, upland surface waters was examined in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The pH and alkalinity of samples taken in the summer of 1979 were compared to those taken in North Carolina in the early 1960s and in New Hampshire in the late 1930s. These parameters had declined significantly over the sampling intervals. Results were confirmed by comparing recent measurements of Ca, Mg, Na, and K to those of bicarbonate alkalinity. This comparison confirmed the hypothesis that some acidification has occurred in both areas and that acidification was more pronounced in the New Hampshire waters.