A THEORETICAL CALCULATION MODEL FOR THE ACIDIFICATION CAPACITY OF NATURAL-WATERS

The acidification capacity model is mainly used for the classification and the regional partitioning of the acidification sensitivity of nat ural waters. The theoretical calculation system of the acidification c apacity from the conventional monitoring items, such as alkalinity, ch emical oxygen demand and pH value, is established by simulating the ac idification process of natural waters. In this study, the contribution s of the organic acids and the dissolved aluminum to acidification cap acity are discussed respectively, and the different acidification proc esses for natural waters are included. The calculation result for a ty pical watershed shows that the values of acidification capacity derivi ng from the different acidification processes differ from each other. It shows that the acidification processes of natural waters are comple x and the establishment of a theoretical calculation system of the aci dification capacity is necessary. This approach provides a methodologi cal basis for using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System t o resolve regional environmental problems. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B .V.