Acid precipitation effect on forest and fish

Overrein L., Seip H.M. and Tollan A., Acid precipitation - effects on forest and fish. Final report. 175 pp. Oslo-As (1980). 

Scandinavian and European studies, including the Norwegian Interdisciplinary Research Programme Acid Precipitation—Effects on Forest and Fish, and the study by the European Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, elucidated the effects of acid rain on fish and forests and long-distance transport of pollutants in Europe. 

A special research project Acid precipitation - Effects on Forest and Fish" (the SNSF-project) was established in Norway in 1972 with participation from a number of research institutions. Work under this project will continue until 198O and form the basis for a future monitoring programme. 

L. Overrein et al Acid Precipitation - Effects on Forest and Fish Final Report of the SNSF Project 1972-1980 SNSF - Project FR 19/80 Norwegian Inst. Water Research 1980. 

Overrein, L.N., Seip, H.M., Tollan, A., eds. 1980. Acid precipitation - effects on forests and fish. Final report of the SNSFproject. 1972-1980. (Surnedb0rs virk-ning pa skog og fisk.) Osla-As Norwegian Ministry of Environ. 

In Norway comprehensive investigations of acid precipitation effects have taken place (Overrein, Seip and Tollan, 1980). Fish death caused by such influences in some districts in southern Norway has been proved. The soil material in this region is often shallow, coarse grained and derived from bedrock rich in silisium. The buffer capacity is therefore low and the acid effect of the precipitation will quickly be noticed. On the other hand, there has so far not been proved any decrease in the growth of the forest. In this connection we must remember that the acid precipitation also contributes with the nutrient element nitrogen. 

The effects of upland acidification of freshwaters can be dramatic. Between 1930 and 1975 the median pH of lakes in the Adirondack Mountains of northeastern USA decreased from 6.7 to 5.1, caused by progressively lower pH in rainwater (Fig. 5.7). The acidified lakewater killed fish and other animals by several mechanisms. The problem for fish is that the dissolved Al3+ in the acidic water precipitates as an insoluble Al(OH)3 gel on the less acidic gill tissues, preventing normal uptake of oxygen and suffocating the animal. Similar problems have occurred in Scandinavia and Scotland. In addition to problems in freshwaters, the loss of forests in high-altitude areas has been linked to acid leaching, which leads to impoverishment of soils coupled with direct loss of cations from plant leaves. 

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