Comment on comment on ''acid precipitation in historical perspective and effects of acid precipitation''

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1983 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00126a013· OSTI ID:5229854

Henriksen, A; Richter, D D

The author criticizes the fact that some soil scientists have difficulties in accepting that lakes and stream waters have become acid due to acid rain, because the natural production of acidity in ecosystems is large compared to the contribution from acid rain. He points out that Richter concludes that many of the reported changes, where real, may well result from natural processes with relatively minor contributions from acid precipitation. The author also disagrees with Krug and Frink who recently suggested that SO/sub 4/ from acid rain is exchanged with organic anions originally present in the water, leaving pH essentially unchanged. The author rebuts Henriksen who he says appears to have misunderstood the intent of the original correspondence, which was not to document evidence but rather to assert two generalities; (1) adverse effects of acid deposition on ecosystems are commonly overstated, and (2) the biogeochemistry of ecosystems is easily oversimplified, and natural sources of acidity are often ignored.

• Research Organization: Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5229854
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 18:8; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ACIDIFICATION
ANIONS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ION EXCHANGE
IONS
LAKES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
POLLUTION SOURCES
RAIN
STREAMS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS