(13) Trends in Stream Water pH in Catchments in Sewanee, TN

     Eleven watersheds atop the Cumberland Plateau near Sewanee, TN were characterized in terms of pH. Some watersheds were developed and contained limestone gravel and concrete structures. An undeveloped, control... [ view full abstract ]

     Eleven watersheds atop the Cumberland Plateau near Sewanee, TN were characterized in terms of pH. Some watersheds were developed and contained limestone gravel and concrete structures. An undeveloped, control watershed at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School campus was also studied. pH measurements were taken at intervals along streams from their point of origin to the location where they encountered the Pennington Limestone just off the edge of the plateau. The control watershed had pH ranges from 5.8 to 6.9, while developed watersheds showed generally higher pH values ranging from 5.2 to 8.3. In developed watersheds pH levels rose rapidly as water encountered limestone gravel and remained elevated all the way off the edge of the plateau.