Acid Rain

by Charles G. Gunnerson, (F.ASCE), Environmental Engrg. Advisor; Environmental Research Laboratories, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, Colo. 80303,
Beatrice E. Willard, Colorado Sch Mines, Golden, Colo.,


American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, NY
978-0-87262-202-9 (ISBN-13) | 0-87262-202-9 (ISBN-10), 1979, Soft Cover, Pg. 166

See all papers/chapter

Conference information: A Session of the Research Council on Environmental Impact Analysis | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | April 2-6, 1979

Out of Print: Not available at ASCE Bookstore.


Document Type: Book - Proceedings

Abstract:

Current information on acid rain is reviewed in eight papers presented at an April, 1979 session sponsored by the Research Council on Environmental Impact Analysis of the ASCE Technical Council on Research. Causes of acid precipitation, its geological distribution, temporal and spatial trends and concepts in the effects of acid precipitation are discussed. Terrestrial vegetation, soils, and surface waters are the primary deposition sites for atmospheric trace constituents and the vulnerability of natural ecosystems and terrestrial and aquatic organisms to injury by acid precipitation and toxic aerosols and gases is examined. Evidence is presented to show that the primary effects of lake acidification due to acid precipitation are the loss of bicarborate buffering, decreased pH, and increased mobility of toxic metals. The effects of acid precipitation on marble used in the construction of architectural structures and monuments are shown. Federal government programs in acid rain research are reviewed. Methods of monitoring acid rain are presented. It is suggested that federal coordination of a nationwide program is both desirable and necessary. The need for estimating future trends in acid precipitation is emphasized and a preliminary analysis is presented. Finally, some technological options for mitigation of acid precipitation are presented.

Subject Headings: Acid rain | Precipitation | Acids | Federal government | Vegetation | Toxicity | Spatial distribution

 

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