Abstract
A case history is presented describing the ecosystem changes that accompanied the nearly 90% reduction of SO2 and metal particulate emissions from Sudbury smelters during the past 25 years. The instances of severe ground-level fumigations that caused acute damage to vegetation in an area of approximately 1,000 km2 have been nearly completely eliminated. Significant improvements in water quality have also occurred in many of the estimated 7,000 acid-damaged lakes. Several species of acid-sensitive phytoplankton, Zooplankton and insects have invaded lakes where improvements have occurred. Epiphytic lichens have reinvaded the former “lichen desert” that once extended out 7 km from the smelters. Sensitive species such as Evernia mesomorpha and Usnea hirta now exist throughout the area. The vascular plant communities have been relatively slow to recover in the most severely damaged terrestrial areas. Metal-tolerant grasses (e.g. Agrostis scabra. Deschampsia caespitosa) were the first species to invade the barrens. Acid- and metal-contamination of soil, severe microclimate conditions, and the damaging effects of insect pests appear to delay recovery of terrestrial ecosystems. Recovery rates of aquatic ecosystems are also affected by a suite of physical, chemical and biotic interactions and many lakes remain severely damaged.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amiro, B.D., and Courtin, G.M.: 1981, Can. J. Bot. 59, 1623.
Beckett, P.: 1995, “Lichens: Sensitive Indicators of Improving Air Quality” pp. 81–91. In: Gunn (1995).
Courtin, G.M.: 1994. Sci. Total Envir. 148. 99.
Dixit, S.S., Dixit, A.S., and Smol. J.P.: 1989. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 46, 1309.
Dudka, S., Ponce-Hernandez, R., and Hutchinson, T.C.: 1995. Sci. Total Envir. 162, 161.
Freedman, B.: 1989, Environmental Ecology. Academic Press.
Gunn, J.M. (ed.): 1995, Restoration and Recovery of an Industrial Region. Springer-Verlag.
Gunn, J.M., and Keller, W.: 1990, Nature (Lond.) 345, 431.
Hogan, G.D., Courtin, G.M., and Rauser, W.E.: 1977, Can. J. Bot. 55, 1043.
Hutchinson, T.C., and Whitby, L.M.: 1974. Environ. Conserv. 1, 123.
Keller, W., Pitblado, J.R., and Carbone, J.: 1992a. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 49(Suppl. 1), 25.
Keller, W., Gunn, J.M., and Yan, N.D.: 1992b. Envir. Pollut. 78, 79.
Lautenbach, W.E., Miller, J., Beckett, P.J., Negusanti, J.J., and Winterhalder, E.K.: 1995. “Municipal Land Restoration Program: The Greening Process”, pp. 109–122. In: Gunn (1995).
Leblanc, F., Rao, R.N., and Comeau, G.: 1972, Can J. Bot 50, 519.
McCall, J., Gunn, J. and Struik, H.: 1995 Water. Air, and Soil Pollut. (this issue)
Neary, B.P., Dillon, P.J., Munro, J.R., and Clark, B.J.: 1990, The Acidification Of Ontario Lakes: An Assessment of Their Current Status With Respect To Biological Damage. Ont. Min. Environ. Report., Toronto, 171 p.
Nriagu, J.O., and Rao, S.S.: 1987, Envir. Pollut. 44, 211.
Potvin, R. and Negusanti, J.: 1995, “Declining Industrial Emissions, Improving Air Quality, and Reduced Damage to Vegetation” pp. 51–65. In: Gunn (1995).
Rauser, W.E., and Winterhalder, E.K.: 1985, Can. J. Bot. 63, 58.
Struik, H.: 1974, Photo Interpretive Study To Assess And Evaluate Vegetational Changes In The Sudbury Area. Ont. Dept. Lands and Forests Report, Sudbury District.
Whitby, L.M., Stokes, P.M., Hutchinson, T.C. and Myslik, G.: 1976. Can. Mineral. 14, 47.
Winterhalder, K.: 1995, “Natural Recovery of Vascular Plant Communities on the Industrial Barrens of the Sudbury Area”, pp. 93–102. In: Gunn (1995).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gunn, J., Keller, W., Negusanti, J. et al. Ecosystem recovery after emission reductions: Sudbury, Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut 85, 1783–1788 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00477238
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00477238