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The acidifying potential of atmospheric deposition in Canada

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Abstract

It is proposed that the value of ([SO4 −−] - [Ca++ + Mg++]) in precipitation is a suitable way to describe the acidifying potential (AP) of the wet desposition. In eastern North America, the AP of precipitation varies from 20 to 85% of the total sulphate, the remainder of the sulphate being neutralized H2SO4, sulphate from salts in dust or from sea salt. The AP ranges from 20 to 80% of the H+ in the wet deposition. The rest of the H+ is contributed by the net effect of N compounds. Ammonium and nitrate ions from ammonia and NOXemissions do not represent a net acidic loading to the terrestrial ecosystem if they are taken up by vegetation. However, when N leaches from watersheds in the form nitrate, it constitutes an acidifying demand on the ecosystem. Therefore, the overall net acidifying potential (NAP) applied to the terrestrial ecosystem is defined by the value of ([SO4 −−] - [Ca++ + Mg++]) in precipitation plus [NO3 −−] in runoff from the watershed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environment Canada, Atmospheric Environment Service, 4905 Dufferin Street, M3H 5T4, Downsview, Ontario, Canada

    T. G. Brydges & P. W. Summers

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  1. T. G. Brydges
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  2. P. W. Summers
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Brydges, T.G., Summers, P.W. The acidifying potential of atmospheric deposition in Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut 43, 249–263 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00279195

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00279195

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