A summary of the twenty-seven State-of-Science and State-of-Technology (SOS/T) Reports published in 1990 by the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program. Cf. Pref.; p. 3.
This book looks at the sources and composition of the atmosphere and rainfall, with particular attention on acidifying components and those that affect ecosystems. It further widens the subject to look at trace metals. It includes papers on the impact of deposition on soils and forests and the recovery of the natural environment. Work on critical loads makes a contribution to understanding the degree to which deposition must be reduced to limit its impact.
The subject of acid deposition remains one of the most urgent of our contemporary environmental problems. Research programmes are continually redefming our understanding of cause and effect and hence the continuing need for a timely and authoritative series addressing these issues. This volume seeks to review and defme our contemporary understanding of acid deposition by reference to new international data and as a consequence assist the definition of our future research requirements and policy developments. International contributions to the volume are drawn from the Federal Republic of Germany, the U.S.A., Canada, Brazil, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, France and the United Kingdom. Some of these nations have experienced acid deposition on a regional scale for considerable periods of time; for others the phenomenon is an emerging problem. This collection of papers has been compiled by invitation to eminent members of the acid deposition research community and by selection from a carefully targeted call for papers. It is primarily designed to meet the needs of researchers, lecturers and postgraduate students in environmental disciplines and for environmental policy makers. It is of interest to professionals in related disciplines and essential as a reference text for libraries. The volume is divided into four broad themes: Emissions, chemistry and deposition; Ecosystem effects (freshwater, soils and forest systems); Effects on structural materials; Mitigation, control and management. Each of these sections provides an overview of contemporary understanding, presents new experimental or field evidence and provides guidance for our future research agenda.
Ecosystem research has emerged in recent decades as a vital, successful, and sometimes controversial approach to environmental science. This book emphasizes the idea that much of the progress in ecosystem research has been driven by the emergence of new environmental problems that could not be addressed by existing approaches. By focusing on successes and limitations of ecosystems studies, the book explores avenues for future ecosystem-level research.
A unique contribution to the literature on acidic deposition, this volume offers a collection of in-depth analysis of the key mechanisms governing forest response to acidic inputs. Among the mechanisms reviewed here are foliage leaching, aluminum mobilization, mineral weathering, soil organisms, and rhizosphere processes. Researchers and students in soil science, forest ecology, and environmental science, as well as policy makers and forest managers concerned with assessment of acidic deposition effects will value this concise monograph for its detailed examination of selected technical issues and its comprehensive reference sections.
This book is the result of a conference held biannually at the Goodwin-Niering Center for Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies at Connecticut College. It uses an interdisciplinary approach to focus on important ecological impacts of acid deposition. The book combines research findings and the policy analyses of experts from different academic disciplines with the positions advanced by representatives of various nongovernmental organizations.