Abstract
Data from water quality studies conducted in the Sudbury, Ontario, Canada area indicate that substantial decreases in the acidity of surface waters have accompanied reductions in SO2 emissions from the Sudbury smelting industry since 1977. On average, acidic lakes in the Sudbury area showed a decrease in H+ of ∼ 50% between 1974–76 and 1981–83, and the severity of springtime pH depressions in streams decreased. Although many Sudbury area surface waters remain highly acidic, general decreases in acidity appear to be continuing. The results demonstrate that reductions in emissions of acids and acid precursors result in concomitant improvements in water quality.
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Keller, W., Pitblado, J.R. & Conroy, N.I. Water quality improvements in the Sudbury, Ontario, Canada area related to reduced smelter emissions. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 31, 765–774 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284223
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284223