Abstract
Rain and snow in Alberta are seldom acid. The S content of snow is so low that the snow pack gives a deposition of less than 1 kg S ha−1, even downwind from large SO2 emission sources. Rainfall contributes at the most 4 kg S ha−1 yearly near SO2 sources, and only about 1 kg S ha−1 in clean areas. However, rain intercepted by forest trees exposed to SO2 emission becomes acid (pH 3.5 to 4.5) and has a S content of 3 to 4 times greater than rain. Soils absorb large amounts of S from emissions (up to 50 kg S ha −1 annually) but much of the S is found in non-sulphate form. Soils are slowly acidified by the SO2 at a rate estimated at 1 pH unit in 10 to 20 yr. Water surfaces will absorb SO2 emissions at a rate of about 4 to 15 kg S ha−1 annually. Particulates deposit 3 to 4 times as much S as is deposited by rainfall.
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References
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Nyborg, M., Repin, J.C., Hocking, D. et al. Effect of sulphur dioxide on precipitation and on the sulphur content and acidity of soils in Alberta, Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut 7, 439–448 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285543
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285543