Effects of acidification on aquatic ecosystems

Effects of acidification on aquatic ecosystems are analyzed on the basis of an analytical synopsis of relevant data. Major active agents influencing aquatic organisms and main trends in the reorganization of microbial, phyto- and zooplanktonic, benthic, and fish communities in an acidified environment are described. A generalized concept of changes in ecosystems caused by acid precipitation and accompanying factors is formulated. These changes include the reduction of biodiversity of all structural elements due to the disappearance of species sensitive to acidification, modification of trophic structure, and decrease of fish stock.Translated from Ekologiya, No. 2, 2005, pp. 110–119.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Moiseenko.