A generalised description of the deposition of acidifying pollutants on a small scale in Europe

Abstract

In describing the effects of acidification on the level of ecosystems, acid loads should be available at least on the size of ecosystems. No deposition maps on this resolution are available, hampering accurate estimation of exceedances of critical loads in Europe. Here, maps of small scale fluxes of Europe are presented. The maps are produced in close co-operation with EMEP. The acidifying components taken into account are oxidised sulphur and nitrogen and reduced nitrogen compounds. The method for estimating dry deposition is based on the combination of long-range transport model concentrations provided by EMEP and a detailed description of the dry deposition processes. Dry deposition velocities are calculated on a small scale using the inferential technique. Resistances are modelled using observations of meteorological parameters in Europe and parametrisation of surface exchange processes from deposition measurements. Wet deposition maps are derived using measured concentrations in precipitation in Europe together with precipitation amounts.