Assessment of the Relationship among Acidifying Depositions, Surface Water Acidification, and Fish Populations in North America. Volume 1. Final Report

摘要

This report assesses the scientific understanding about relationships between acidic depositions and freshwater aquatic resources. Selected surface waters in eastern North America are becoming acidified and fish populations are being eliminated. The actual extent of these resources threatened by acidification is now known. Mostly circumstantial evidence has been compiled to suggest that long-range atmospheric transport of acidifying compounds is causing surface-water acidification in North America. Certainly, atmospheric emissions from point sources can impact localized areas. However, some data indicate that atmospheric inputs of acids from long-range transport may add little to the natural flux of acids within ecosystems. The degree of influence that atmosphere depositions can have in accelerating natural acidification rates is unknown for most potentially sensitive surface waters. Fish losses appear to result from (1) long-term accumulations of acids and metals reaching chronically toxic concentrations; and (2) short-term, episodic events causing acutely toxic acid and metal concentrations. Some impacts may be successfully mitigated through several methods. Additional research is needed to (1) identify causes of surface-water acidification; (2) develop innovative mitigation measures; (3) define mechanisms of fish loss; and (4) establish the extent of aquatic resources at risk. (ERA citation 08:042258)