Acid deposition monitoring

Previously published data from two sites on the Wisconsin Acid Deposition Monitoring Network (2) and the University of Virginia site of the MAP3S Precipitation Chemistry Network (PCN) (3, 8) were used in the current study. The Wisconsin data were obtained for samples collected during the spring of 1984, and the Virginia data were related to selected samples analyzed during the summer of 1983. 

Chapman, E. G. Central Analysis Laboratory Procedures for the Wisconsin Acid Deposition Monitoring Network, 2311204999, Report to Wisconsin Power Light Company Madison, WI, 1983. 

Wangwongwatava S. (2001) Step-by-step approach to establish acid deposition monitoring network in East Asia (EANET) Thailand s experiences. Water Air Soil Pollut. 130, 151-162. 

FIGURE 4-33 A wet-dry atmospheric deposition collector commonly used for acid deposition monitoring. The roof over the wet bucket opens only when precipitation is sensed, thereby minimizing the collection of debris, bird droppings, etc. The dry bucket for collecting dry deposition is not a very close approximation to natural surfaces and yields results of uncertain meaning. 

It has been suggested some years ago that an acid deposition monitoring network should be set up in East Asia (Murano, 1997a, b). A uniform sampling and analysis protocol together with quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures has been proposed. This network is now in use and wonld prodnce more reliable data, which conldbe nsed to make more meaningful spatial and temporal comparisons. 

No additional stations have been added for acid deposition. Monitoring of ozone and particulate matter is being reported for some areas only. 

Atmospheric emissions of sulphur dioxide are either measured or estimated at their source and are thus calculated on a provincial or state basis for both Canada and the United States (Figure 2). While much research and debate continues, computer-based simulation models can use this emission information to provide reasonable estimates of how sulphur dioxide and sulphate (the final oxidized form of sulphur dioxide) are transported, transformed, and deposited via atmospheric air masses to selected regions. Such "source-receptor" models are of varying complexity but all are evaluated on their ability to reproduce the measured pattern of sulphate deposition over a network of acid rain monitoring stations across United States and Canada. In a joint effort of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service, eleven linear-chemistry atmospheric models of sulphur deposition were evaluated using data from 1980. It was found that on an annual basis, all but three models were able to simulate the observed deposition patterns within the uncertainty limits of the observations (22). 

Acid rain monitoring data in North America have been gathered by Environment Canada and stored in the National Atmospheric Chemistry (NatChem) Database, details of which can be found at www.airquality.tor.ec.gc.ca/natchem. Analysis of the deposition chemistry data has confirmed that wet sulfate deposition did indeed decline in concert with the decline in SO2 emissions in both eastern Canada and the... 

It is roughly estimated that there are more than 1,200,000 water bodies in eastern North America that are currently affected by acid deposition. A subset of these lakes has been sampled since early 1980s in order to monitor the changes in lake water chemistry induced by the declining sulfur dioxide emissions and wet sulfate deposition... 

Kozlov, M. Ya., Towprayoon, S., Sirikarnjanawing S. (1997). Application of critical load methodology for assessment of the effects of acidic deposition in Northern Thailand. In Proceedings of International Workshop on Monitoring and Prediction of Acid Rain, Seoul, 29.09-1.10.1997, pp. 141-146. 

Radojevic, M., 1998. Acid rain monitoring in East and South East Asia. In V. N Bashkin and S-U. Park (Eds.). Acid Deposition and Ecosystem Sensitivity in East Asia, Nova Science Publishers, Ltd., pp. 95-122. 

Efforts to reduce acid deposition have had mixed results thus far. For example, measurements at five locations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Labrador by Canadian researchers found that sulfate deposition dropped between 27 and 50 percent between 1980 and 1995. During the same time, however, there was a significant reduction in acid deposition at only one of the five monitoring sites. 

Sisterson, D. L. Bowersox, V. C. Olsen, A. R. Meyers, T. P. Vong, R. L. Deposition Monitoring Methods and Results State of Science/Technology Report No. 6 National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program Washington, DC,... 

The CASTNET provides atmospheric data on the dry deposition component of total acid deposition, ground-level ozone, and other forms of atmospheric pollution. CASTNET is considered the nation s primary source for atmospheric data to estimate dry acidic deposition and to provide data on rural ozone levels. Used in conjunction with other national monitoring networks, CASTNET is used to determine the effectiveness of national emission control programs. Established in 1987, CASTNET now comprises over 70 monitoring stations across the United States. The longest data records are primarily at eastern sites. The majority of the monitoring stations are operated by EPA s Office of Air and Radiation however, approximately 20 stations arc operated by the National Park Service in cooperation with EPA. 

The Cooperative program for monitoring and evaluation of long-range transmission of air pollutants in Europe (EMEP) was launched in 1977 as a response to the growing concern over the environmental effects of acid deposition. EMEP was organized under the auspices of the United... 

The acidic impurities, whether they were generated in paper fibers because of oxidation or because of rosin acids deposited at fiber surfaces, were straightforwardly monitored by FTIR-ATR and ESCA. The presence of aldehyde groups as a consequence of cellulosic hydrolysis... 

Evans C. D., Monteith D. T., and Harriman R. (2001c) Longterm variability in the deposition of marine ions at west coast sites in the UK acid waters monitoring network impacts on surface water chemistry and significance for trend determination. Sci. Tot. Environ. 265, 115-129. 

Fig. 7.20 Mean annual pH values of rain over Europe in 1985. The pH contours compare well with rates of acid deposition shown in Fig. 5.7. After Schaug et al. (1987). With permission from the Co-operative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long Range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe (EMEP) and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU).

RMCC. (1990). The 1990 Canadian long-range transport of air pollutant assessment and acid deposition report Part 4—aquatic effects. Federal/provincial Research and Monitoring Coordinating Committee, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 

Some years ago the first reports appeared on forest die-back in heavily polluted areas. The impact of this information drew the attention on the situation of local forests, which encouraged research on acid deposition in many countries. The quantitative evaluation of damage and the monitoring of forest quality are difficult. Most theories have been based on visual inspections however, trends, actual damage and local effects can only be estimated on the basis of scientific measurements, enabling to make correlations between damage and measured pollutant concentrations. A prerequisite for this evaluation is the availability of representative CRMs. The BCR has hence developed for this purpose two reference materials, namely beech leaves and spruce needles, which have been certified for nutrients (e.g. Ca, Mg, K, P and N) and indicator elements (e.g. S, Cl, A1 and Mn) [17-19],... 

The First International Symposium on Acid Precipitation and the Forest Ecosystem in 1975 concluded with workshops addressing various needs to properly research the topic of acidic deposition in the U.S. ( ). Among the recommendations from one of the workshops was that a network be established for the purpose of long-term monitoring of the precipitation chemistry across the U.S. and its territories. 

Marble and limestone surfaces were exposed to atmospheric conditions at four eastern U.S. sites and were monitored for changes in surface chemistry, surface roughness/re-cession, and weight. The effect of acid deposition, to which calcareous materials are especially sensitive, was of particular interest. Results are described for the first year of testing, and aspects of a preliminary equation to relate damage to environmental factors are discussed. Thus far, findings support that acid deposition substantially damages marble and limestone surfaces. 

LCID RAIN IS AN IMPORTANT AND GROWING TOPIC. This book addresses the important materials problems resulting from acid deposition. It is divided into five sections Measurement and Monitoring of Atmospheric Deposition, Metallic Corrosion, Masonry Deterioration, Degradation of Organics, and Economic Effects. 

The section on measurement and monitoring concentrates on the scope of the acid deposition problem. This includes wet deposition chemistry, dry deposition, fog and cloud water, and the composition of dew. 

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