Gaseous pollutant and acidic rain impacts on crops in the United States: A comparison

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5480532

Irving, P M

The effects of gaseous pollutants (O/sub 3/, SO/sub 2/, NO/sub 2/) and acidic rain were assessed and compared for a wide variety of crop cultivars and species. Such a comparison is useful for evaluating the need and the strategy for controlling pollutant emissions. No measurable and consistent crop yield response from the direct effects of simulated acidic rain at ambient levels has been established, although possible interactions with other stresses needs further study. For some local situations, exposures of SO/sub 2/ and combinations of SO/sub 2/ and NO/sub 2/ may reach concentrations and frequencies that could reduce crop productivity, but effects from these pollutants are not significant on a national scale. In contrast, O/sub 3/ at ambient levels during the growing season, has been demonstrated to reduce the yield by an average of 5 to 10% for the majority of crops tested.

• Research Organization: National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5480532
• Report Number(s): CONF-870977-2; ON: DE88003042
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHALCOGENIDES
CROPS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
NAPAP
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PRODUCTIVITY
RAIN
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES