Acidification of Headwater Streams in the New Jersey Pine Barrens

Sixteen years of stream pH data indicate acidification of two relatively undisturbed headwater streams of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Average yearly stream pH decreased approximately 0.2 to 0.5 units in the two small streams that have long‐term records. Hydronium ion concentration is correlated with SO4 in the two headwater streams in approximately a 1:1 ratio by equivalents, suggesting that H2SO4 is an important source of the acidity. A decrease in precipitation pH over the period is suggested in the literature and may be responsible for the decreasing stream pH.