Joint abatement strategies: a dynamic analysis of acidification and tropospheric ozone

Abstract

Acidification impacts water, soil and ecosystems. Tropospheric ozone (sometimes called ground level ozone, hereafter referred to as ozone or O₃) causes negative health effects and vegetation damage. Acidifying compounds such as sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) are often produced together, most typically by the burning of fossil fuels. Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important factors in the formation of ozone. Currently, many ecosystems in the United States, Europe, and the emerging economies in Asia face acid depositions far in excess of their specified critical loads. Ozone exceeds critical levels in many cases. The excess acid depositions, the excessive ozone levels and the trans-boundary nature make it necessary to combat pollution on the continental level in the USA, Europe and Asia. The many interactions indicate that policies to reduce acidification influence ozone, and the other way around, ozone policies affect acidification. Figure 1 illustrates the main relations and interactions between economic activity, the sources of pollutants, the effects and receptors. This study pays special attention to the grey shaded boxes and their linkages.