Acid Deposition and Ecosystem Response Dynamics
Summary
Acid deposition encompasses both wet and dry inputs of acidic compounds derived predominantly from anthropogenic sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. In the atmosphere, these precursors oxidise to form sulphuric and nitric acids, which are delivered to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems via precipitation and particle settling. Soil acidification results in the depletion of base cations, mobilisation of aluminium and shifts in nutrient availability, while freshwater systems exhibit declines in pH and buffering capacity, threatening biota. The concept of critical loads has provided quantitative thresholds for deposition that ecosystems can assimilate without long-term harm, guiding policies on emission control. Recent emission reductions have fostered signs of ecological recovery, yet legacy effects, nitrogen saturation and climate variability continue to influence recovery trajectories. A comprehensive understanding of spatial heterogeneity, biogeochemical feedbacks and timescales of response is crucial for the effective management of acidification risks on a global scale.
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Acid Deposition and Ecosystem Response Dynamics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in acid deposition and ecosystem response dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Acid deposition: The combined wet and dry deposition of acidic substances formed from atmospheric sulphur and nitrogen emissions.
Critical load: A scientifically derived limit for pollutant deposition below which no unacceptable ecological harm occurs.
Throughfall: Rainfall that passes through a vegetation canopy, often enriched in solutes leached from leaf surfaces.
Eutrophication: The process of nutrient overenrichment, particularly by nitrogen, leading to excessive primary production and altered ecosystem functioning.
Leaching: The downward transport of dissolved ions through soil profiles, potentially causing nutrient losses and mobilisation of toxic elements.
References
- Transboundary air pollution reduction rapidly reflected in stream water chemistry in forested catchment on the sea of Japan coast in central Japan. Atmospheric Environment (2021).
- Assessing critical loads and exceedances for acidification and eutrophication in the forests of East and Southeast Asia: A comparison with EANET monitoring data. The Science of The Total Environment (2022).
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