Acid rain threatens marine life
In freshwater, acid rain harms aquatic organisms because one of its components, sulfur dioxide, lowers the water's pH. In seawater, the damage comes from other components of acid precipitation: nitrogen oxides. Acting as a nutrient, nitrogen promotes excessive algal growth, which blocks sunlight and depletes dissolved oxygen, thereby suffocating other plants and animals. Known as eutrophication, this phenomenon has been increasing in both frequency and intensity on the Atlantic coast during the past few years. The New York City-based Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), study focused on the Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary and an important spawning ground for many species of economic importance. It has long been known that the bay is suffering from nitrogen pollution. Until now, it was assumed that most of the nitrogen was coming from sewage and agricultural runoff. However, based on data collected from both federal and state agencies, EDF scientists estimated that nitrates from acid rain are responsible for 25% of the nitrogen entering the bay. The report says that if present trends continue, airborne nitrates will contribute 42% of annual nitrogen deposits into the Chesapeake Bay by the year 2030.
- OSTI ID:
- 6682632
- Journal Information:
- BioScience; (United States), Vol. 38:8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID RAIN
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CONTAMINATION
CHESAPEAKE BAY
NITRATES
TOXICITY
EUTROPHICATION
SULFUR DIOXIDE
WATER POLLUTION
ATLANTIC OCEAN
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BAYS
CHALCOGENIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RAIN
SEAS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
SURFACE WATERS
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology