Site-specific estimates of water yield applied in regional acid sensitivity surveys across western Canada

摘要: Runoff or water yield is an important input to the Steady-State Water Chemistry (SSWC) model for estimating critical loads of acidity. Herein, we present site-specific estimates a large number lakes (779) across three provinces western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia) using isotope mass balance (IMB) approach. We explore impact applying hydrology as compared use regional runoff derived from gridded datasets in assessing acidity these lakes. In general, average IMB similar long-term runoff; however, results suggest much larger range hydrological settings lakes, attributed spatial heterogeneity watershed characteristics landcover. The comparison two methods suggests that data SSWC may overestimate majority due systematic skewness actual distributions. Implications assessments are discussed.