Acid rain and air pollution: 50 years of progress in environmental science and policy

Because of its serious large-scale effects on ecosystems and its transboundary nature, acid rain received for a few decades at the end of the last century wide scientific and public interest, leading to coordinated policy actions in Europe and North America. Through these actions, in particular those under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, air emissions were substantially reduced, and ecosystem impacts decreased. Widespread scientific research, long-term monitoring, and integrated assessment modelling formed the basis for the policy agreements. In this paper, which is based on an international symposium organised to commemorate 50 years of successful integration of air pollution research and policy, we briefly describe the scientific findings that provided the foundation for the policy development. We also discuss important characteristics of the science–policy interactions, such as the critical loads concept and the large-scale ecosystem field studies. Finally, acid rain and air pollution are set in the context of future societal developments and needs, e.g. the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We also highlight the need to maintain and develop supporting scientific infrastructures.

     

Andersen酸雨采样器与国产酸雨采样器监测数据对比分析

对美国Andersen酸雨采样器与国产酸雨采样器在pH、电导率、雨量三方面的采样性能作了比较试验，结果表明监测数据基本一致，其中pH值的可比性最好，相关系数达到0.99;Andersen酸雨采样器采集的样品其电导率普遍低于国产酸雨采样器，说明该仪器在防颗粒物干扰方面性能较好。     

环境正义与中国的环境政策

环境正义问题的提出是和现代民法的社会化发展倾向不可分割的。环境问题社会利益的日益突出,环境资源的分配不公也在很大程度上推动了传统民法向现代民法的转变。中国的环境政策也应当从环境正义的立场出发,才能更好地适应国际经济发展的新趋势,从而更好地促进中国环境和经济的协调发展。     

论环境政策评估的一般模式

环境政策评估的一般模式包括政策目标和因果关系分析、评估内容和标准、评估方案设计和实施、评估结论和政策建议4个部分内容.政策目标分析包括政策目标的表述、政策目标体系的分解等,因果关系分析包括政策设计的逻辑框架,并根据实际政策实施状况确认政策要素之间、干系人之间等的关系;评估的内容包括政策的效果、效率、公平性、回应性等方面...     

On the relationship between acid rain and cloud type

Spanish European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) stations were selected to relate acid rain episodes with the meteorological structure that caused the rainfall during a 5-year period. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the origin of major ions (SO4(2-), NO3-, Cl-, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, and Na+) in the rainwater. In addition, the meteorological origin of the rain was identified. Previous works suggested a relationship between acid rain and storm convective clouds. However, statistical analyses of pH values show that only the short-lived convective phenomena may cause acid rain in Spain. In fact, rain generated by fronts and that related to long-lived convective systems is neutral or even slightly basic. Results suggest that the acid rain might be related to the meteorological time scale instead of to the cloud type.     

Using SFA indicators to support environmental policy

In order to improve the link from Substance Flow Analysis (SFA) studies to environmental policy, a translation is made from the SFA overview of flows and stocks into a limited set of indicators. This set is designed to evaluate a region’s substance regime with regard to environmental quality and sustainable development, including problem shifting in time and space.     

Improved economic and environmental outcomes from targeted fertilizer policy

The overuse of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for wheat is a serious problem in China, and previous studies seldom distinguish between the use of basal and topdressing N fertilizer. Data from 225 households in Jiangsu Province, China (a wheat planting area), were collected through face-to-face interviews with each head of the household. Regression models were used to study factors affecting farmers’ application of basal and topdressing N fertilizers separately. Fertilizer retailers proposed fertilizer application levels that were in opposition to their concern for the environment. Farmers’ concern for the environment only affected their application of topdressing N fertilizer and had no significant influence for use of total N fertilizer. The farmland area and amount of experience planting wheat had negative effects on basal N fertilizer use, but not on topdressing fertilizer. In the study area, the optimal strategy for decreasing N fertilizer application is designing policies to rent more farmlands to farmers with the most experience first. These farmers with their higher farm income would decrease basal N fertilizer use and the basal-topdressing ratio to improve N fertilizer use efficiency and then decrease the N fertilizer leaching into the environment.

     

Pyrite oxidation under simulated acid rain weathering conditions

We investigated the electrochemical corrosion behavior of pyrite in simulated acid rain with different acidities and at different temperatures. The cyclic voltammetry, polarization curve, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results showed that pyrite has the same electrochemical interaction mechanism under different simulated acid rain conditions, regardless of acidity or environmental temperature. Either stronger acid rain acidity or higher environmental temperature can accelerate pyrite corrosion. Compared with acid rain having a pH of 5.6 at 25 °C, the prompt efficiency of pyrite weathering reached 104.29% as the acid rain pH decreased to 3.6, and it reached 125.31% as environmental temperature increased to 45 °C. Increasing acidity dramatically decreases the charge transfer resistance, and increasing temperature dramatically decreases the passivation film resistance, when other conditions are held constant. Acid rain always causes lower acidity mine drainage, and stronger acidity or high environmental temperatures cause serious acid drainage. The natural parameters of latitude, elevation, and season have considerable influence on pyrite weathering, because temperature is an important influencing factor. These experimental results are of direct significance for the assessment and management of sulfide mineral acid drainage in regions receiving acid rain.     

浙江省酸雨的空间分布格局及其未来变化趋势预测

利用浙江省1992、2002年的酸雨监测数据,并利用RAINS-ASIA模型模拟了1990-2030年浙江省酸雨前体物(SO2)的排放量,以及酸沉降超临界负荷面积占研究区域面积比例的变化情况.结果表明,浙江省的酸雨分布范围不断扩大、危害程度不断加重;未来一个时期内,SO2排放量都会维持在较高的水平;酸沉降超临界负荷面积所占比例在经历较快的增长阶段之后,会维持在较为恒定的水平,并呈现出明显的时滞性.     

连云港酸雨变化特征及其影响因子分析

利用连云港酸雨观测资料和颗粒物浓度数据,分析了2008—2016年该地区酸雨的变化特征,同时讨论了酸雨发生前污染物浓度及其源地分布特点。结果表明:(1)统计时段内,连云港南、北部年均酸雨日数分别为33.2、21.3d;酸雨的年均pH分别为4.35和4.46,均达到强酸雨等级;8—9月酸雨日数最多,1月最少,但冬季酸雨频率较高。(2)连云港南、北部酸雨发生前平均连续无降水日数分别为2.8、4.0d,且连续性降水的酸雨酸性并不会因为前一天有降水而明显减弱。(3)酸雨开始前,南部地区大气中SO2平均质量浓度达27.6μg/m3,为北部地区的两倍。基于拉格朗日混合单粒子轨迹(HYSPLIT)模式的后向轨迹聚类分析表明,西北和偏南两种路径在连云港南、北两地强酸雨发生前气团轨迹中占比较大,均达60%以上,其源地分别对应华北和长三角两个工业集中、SO2等污染物排放高的地区。     

广东区域酸雨污染模拟研究

运用数值模拟方法，使用一年365日的风速资料、12个月的降水资料和环境监测资料以及年平均的污染源资料，对广东地区的酸雨污染进行了较细致的分析。结果认为，以日为基础的累积计算，对于提高模拟酸雨污染的能力是很有帮助的。广东省的酸雨污染主要是由自身排放的污染物造成，外来的污染是次要的，在广东边界地区发现受到外省污染的显著痕迹。     

Effects and mechanism of acid rain on plant chloroplast ATP synthase

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Acid rain can directly or indirectly affect plant physiological functions, especially photosynthesis. The enzyme ATP synthase is the key in...     

Potential for cascading impacts of environmental change and policy on indigenous culture

Global environmental and societal changes threaten the cultures of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC). Despite the importance of IPLC worldviews and knowledge to sustaining human well-being and biodiversity, risks to these cultural resources are commonly neglected in environmental governance, in part because impacts can be indirect and therefore difficult to evaluate. Here, we investigate the connectivity of values associated with the relationship Ngātiwai (a New Zealand Māori tribe) have with their environment. We show that mapping the architecture of values-environment relationships enables assessment of how deep into culture the impacts of environmental change or policy can cascade. Our results detail how loss of access to key environmental elements could potentially have extensive direct and cascading impacts on the cultural values of Ngātiwai, including environmental responsibilities. Thus, considering only direct effects of environmental change or policy on cultural resources, or treating IPLC social-ecological relations simplistically, can severely underestimate threats to cultures.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13280-021-01670-3.     

Effects of simulated acid rain on pollen physiology and ultrastructure in the apple

Viability, germination and tube length were investigated in pollen grains of field-grown 'Summerred' apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh) exposed to deionized water, rainfall or simulated acid rain at pH 5.6, 4.0 and 3.0. Pollen viability and germination significantly decreased with lower values of pH and with increasing number of treatments. The effects of pH 5.6 and natural rainfall were not significant. Electron microscope investigation of vegetative pollen cells of plants exposed to acid rain at pH 4.0 and 3.0 showed modified features in mitochondria, plastids and endoplasmic reticulum.     

Antioxidant responses to simulated acid rain and heavy metal deposition in birch seedlings

This study measured the responses of different anti-oxidants in 2-year-old birch (Betula pendula Roth) seedlings subjected to simulated acid rain (pH 4.0) and heavy metals (Cu/Ni), applied alone or in combination for 2 months. The applied concentrations of pollutants did not significantly affect seedling biomass or total glutathione levels. Acid rain alone increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity both in leaves and roots, while heavy metals alone inhibited SOD activity in roots. Both acid rain and heavy metals applied singly increased ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activities in leaves but decreased activities in roots. In contrast, acid rain and heavy metal treatments increased glutathione reductase (GR) activity in roots but not in leaves. Spraying birch seedlings with a mixture of acid rain and heavy metals increased SOD, APX and GPX activities in leaves and GR activity in roots. However, the effects of mixed pollutants on enzyme activities usually were less than the summed effects of individual pollutants. Enzyme responses also depended on where pollutants were applied: spraying pollutants onto the shoots initiated higher responses in SOD, APX and GPX than did application to the soil surface, while the opposite was true for GR.     

Oxidation of SO2 in rainwater and its role in acid rain chemistry

A limited survey of rainwater composition covering 80 precipitation events was carried out to establish the levels of soluble metal ions which may influence the oxidation rate of SO₂ in the aqueous phase. For 40 of the samples sodium sulphite was added at low concentrations and the rate of oxidation of S(IV) to S(VI) established. The first order rate constant k_s(IV) was found to vary over three orders of magnitude, from 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻² s⁻¹. pH and iron concentrations were found to be the most important factors affecting the rate. There was poor correlation between the rate of oxidation and the manganese, copper and zinc concentrations. The absolute values of the rate constants are lower than those used in recent modelling studies of atmospheric droplets and the importance of iron relative to manganese also differs from earlier studies.     

Antioxidant response of soybean seedlings to joint stress of lanthanum and acid rain

Excess of rare earth elements in soil can be a serious environmental stress on plants, in particular when acid rain coexists. To understand how such a stress affects plants, we studied antioxidant response of soybean leaves and roots exposed to lanthanum (0.06, 0.18, and 0.85 mmol L^?1) under acid rain conditions (pH 4.5 and 3.0). We found that low concentration of La³⁺ (0.06 mmol L^?1) did not affect the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase) whereas high concentration of La³⁺ (≥0.18 mmol L^?1) did. Compared to treatment with acid rain (pH 4.5 and pH 3.0) or La³⁺ alone, joint stress of La³⁺ and acid rain affected more severely the activity of catalase and peroxidase, and induced more H₂O₂ accumulation and lipid peroxidation. When treated with high level of La³⁺ (0.85 mmol L^?1) alone or with acid rain (pH 4.5 and 3.0), roots were more affected than leaves regarding the inhibition of antioxidant enzymes, physiological function, and growth. The severity of oxidative damage and inhibition of growth caused by the joint stress associated positively with La³⁺ concentration and soil acidity. These results will help us understand plant response to joint stress, recognize the adverse environmental impact of rare earth elements in acidic soil, and develop measures to eliminate damage caused by such joint stress.     

Impacts of simulated acid rain on recalcitrance of two different soils

Laboratory experiments were conducted to estimate the impacts of simulated acid rain (SAR) on recalcitrance in a Plinthudult and a Paleudalfs soil in south China, which were a variable and a permanent charge soil, respectively. Simulated acid rains were prepared at pH 2.0, 3.5, 5.0, and 6.0, by additions of different volumes of H₂SO₄ plus HNO₃ at a ratio of 6 to 1. The leaching period was designed to represent 5 years of local annual rainfall (1,200 mm) with a 33 % surface runoff loss. Both soils underwent both acidification stages of (1) cation exchange and (2) mineral weathering at SAR pH?2.0, whereas only cation exchange occurred above SAR pH?3.5, i.e., weathering did not commence. The cation exchange stage was more easily changed into that of mineral weathering in the Plinthudult than in the Paleudalfs soil, and there were some K⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions released on the stages of mineral weathering in the Paleudalfs soil. During the leaching, the release of exchangeable base cations followed the order Ca²⁺?>?K⁺?>?Mg²⁺?>?Na⁺ for the Plinthudult and Ca²⁺?>?Mg²⁺?>?Na⁺?>?K⁺ for the Paleudalfs soil. The SARs above pH?3.5 did not decrease soil pH or pH buffering capacity, while the SAR at pH?2.0 decreased soil pH and the buffering capacity significantly. We conclude that acid rain, which always has a pH from 3.5 to 5.6, only makes a small contribution to the acidification of agricultural soils of south China in the short term of 5 years. Also, Paleudalfs soils are more resistant to acid rain than Plinthudult soils. The different abilities to prevent leaching by acid rain depend upon the parent materials, types of clay minerals, and soil development degrees.     

Growth responses of three legume species exposed to simulated acid rain

Seedlings of Vicia faba L., Phaseolus multiflorus L. and Pisum sativum L. were raised during exposure to simulated acid rainfall treatments of pHs 5.6, 4.5, 3.5 and 2.5 at a rate of 30 mm per week. All three species were found to be adversely affected by the more acid pH 3.5 and pH 2.5 treatments after 7-8 weeks of exposure. There were total plant dry weight reductions of 40% for V. faba, 31% for P. sativum and 28% for P. multiflorus exposed to the pH 2.5 treatment, as compared to those grown in the control (pH 5.6 treatment). In addition, V. faba was found to be sensitive to the pH 4.5 treatment with an 18% reduction in total plant weights (compared to plants grown in the pH 5.6 treatment). In P. multiflorus, reduction in the dry weights of shoots in response to increasing acidity of rain was not accompanied by reduction in root weights, indicating an interference in the partitioning of assimilates. It is concluded that these three species, and V. faba in particular, may be growing below their potential in much of the UK.     

模拟酸雨对土壤盐基离子的淋溶释放影响

选取南方主要酸沉降区土壤作模拟酸雨淋溶实验,探讨在酸雨作用下各土壤随降水酸度、降水过程及 降水量的变化其盐基离子的淋溶特性及影响因素。