Acid rain in Asia

Journal Article · · Environmental Management; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02394130· OSTI ID:6832831

Bhatti, N; Streets, D G ^[1]; Foell, W K ^[2]

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1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
2. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

Acid rain has been an issue of great concern in North America and Europe during the past several decades. However, due to the passage of a number of recent regulations, most notably the Clean Air Act in the United States in 1990, there is an emerging perception that the problem in these Western nations is nearing solution. The situation in the developing world, particularly in Asia, is much bleaker. Given the policies of many Asian nations to achieve levels of development comparable with the industrialized world - which necessitates a significant expansion of energy consumption (most derived from indigenous coal reserves) - the potential for the formation of, and damage from, acid deposition in these developing countries is very high. This article delineates and assesses the emissions patterns, meteorology, physical geology, and biological and cultural resources present in various Asian nations. Based on this analysis and the risk factors to acidification, it is concluded that a number of areas in Asia are currently vulnerable to acid rain. These regions include Japan, North and South Korea, southern China, and the mountainous portions of Southeast Asia and southwestern India. Furthermore, with accelerated development (and its attendant increase in energy use and production of emissions of acid deposition precursors) in many nations of Asia, it is likely that other regions will also be affected by acidification in the near future. Based on the results of this overview, it is clear that acid deposition has significant potential to impact the Asian region. However, empirical evidence is urgently needed to confirm this and to provide early warning of increases in the magnitude and spread of acid deposition and its effects throughout this part of the world. 36 refs., 8 figs., 8 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6832831
• Journal Information: Environmental Management; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Management; (United States) Vol. 16:4; ISSN EMNGDC; ISSN 0364-152X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACID RAIN
AIR POLLUTION
ASIA
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHINA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FORECASTING
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDIA
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
JAPAN
POLLUTION
RAIN
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS