Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Acidification of lakes and watercourses in a global perspective

  • Chapter
Book cover Liming of Acidified Surface Waters

Summary

In the approximately 10,000 years since the last ice age, human activities have caused far more extensive acidification in Europe and North America than natural processes. Only 5–10% of the present acidifying load in Europe comes from natural sources. The majority of the anthropogenic load consists of sulphur emissions from electricity and heat generation. In several areas, airborne nitrogen emissions and forestry also play a significant role; nitrogen acidification is on the increase, while the role of sulphur is declining.

Acidification is one of the foremost environmental problems in Europe and North America and has caused damage to forested land, surface waters, historical buildings, monuments and technical structures. In Europe, 50,000–100,000 lakes have been affected by acidification. Over 85% of all acidified lakes and watercourses are to be found in six countries: Sweden, Norway, Canada, the USA, Scotland and Finland.

During the 1980s, emissions of acidifying substances in Europe and North America declined by 20–30%. It is estimated that a similar reduction will be possible during the 1990s if international agreements are adhered to. In order to prevent further acidification in Europe during coming decades, however, emissions of both sulphur and nitrogen must be cut by 70–75% between 1990 and 2010. The cost of achieving such a reduction is estimated at approximately 0.3–0.4% of the total annual European Gross Domestic Product (GDP), i.e. about three times as much as today.

Even if long-term reductions in emissions were to be achieved, it would take several decades for many of the lakes and watercourses to recover. Supplementary action is therefore being taken in the form of liming, which is being performed extensively in Sweden and on a smaller scale in Norway, the USA, Canada, Scotland, Finland, Wales and Germany.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Alasaarela, E., Havu, J., Heikkinen, K. and Weppling, K. 1990. Neutralization of acidified watercourses. In: Kauppi, P., Anttila, P. and Kenttamies, K. (Eds.) Acidification in Finland. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 1117–1125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alcamo, J., Shaw, R. and Hordijk, L. 1990. The RAINS model of acidification — science and strategies in Europe. Kluwer Acad. Publ., Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Almer, B., Dickson, W., Ekström, C. and Hörnström, E. 1978. Sulphur pollution and the aquatic ecosystem. In: Nriagu, I.O. (Ed.) Sulphur in the environment. - J. Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 271–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amann, M., Bertok, I., Cofala, J., Klaasen, G. and Schöpp, W. 1992. Strategies for reducing sulfur dioxide emissions in Europe. - Internat. Inst. Applied. Syst. Anal. Status Rep. May 14, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asman, W.A.H. and Janssen, A.J. 1987. A long-range transport model for ammonia and ammonium in Europe. - Atmos. Environ. 21: 2099–2119.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Battarbee, R.W., Flower, R.J., Stevenson, A.C., Jones, V.J., Harriman, R. and Appleby, P.G. 1988. Diatom and chemical evidence for reversibility of acidification of Scottish lochs. - Nature 332: 530–532.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Battarbee, R.W., Mason, J., Renberg, I. and Tailings, J.F. (Eds.) 1990. Palaeolimnology and lake acidification. - Phil. Trans. R. Soc., London B327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berdén, M., Nilsson, S.I., Ros6n, K. and Tyler, G. 1987. Soil acidification — extent, causes and consequences. - Swedish Environm. Prot. Agency 3292.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berge, F., Brodin, Y.-W., Cronberg, G., El-Daoushy, F., H0eg, H.I., Nilssen, J.P., Renberg, I., Rippey, B., Sand0y, S., Timberlid, A. and Wik, M. 1990. Palaeolimnological changes related to acid deposition and land-use in the catchment of two Norwegian softwater lakes. - Phil. Trans. R. Soc., London B327: 385–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergmann, M.A. and Welch, H.E. 1985. Spring meltwater mixing in small arctic lakes. - Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 42: 1789–1798.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernes, C. 1991. Monitor 12 - Acidification and liming of Swedish freshwaters.–Swedish Environm. Prot. Agency Informs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernes, C. and Thörnelöf, E. 1990. Present and future acidification of Swedish lakes: model calculation based on extensive survey. In: Kämäri, J. (Ed.) Environmental impact models to assess regional acidification. - Kluwer Acad. Publ., Dordrecht, pp. 83–107.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bobbink, R., Boxman, D., Fremstad, E., Heil, G., Houdijk, A. and Roelofs, J. 1992. Nitrogen eutrophication and critical loads for nitrogen based upon changes in flora and fauna in (semi-)natural terrestrial ecosystems. In: Grennfelt, P. and Thornelof, E. (Eds.) Critical loads for nitrogen. - Nordic Council Ministers Milj0rep. 1992:41, pp. 111–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns, J.C., Coy, J.S., Tervet, D.J., Harriman, R., Morrison, B.R.S. and Quine, C.P. 1984. The Loch Dee project; a study of the ecological effects of acid precipitation and forest management on an upland catchment in southwest Scotland. - Fish. Managem. 15: 1452–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butlin, R.N. 1991. Effects of air pollutants on buildings and materials. - Proceed. R. Soc. Edinburgh, 97B: 255–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick, M.J. and Hutton, M. 1991. Acid depositions in Europe–environnmental effects, control strategies and policy options. Information Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick, M.J. and Kuylenstierna, J.C.I. 1991. The relative sensitivity of ecosystems in Europe to acidic depositions. A preliminary assessment of the sensitivity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. - Perspect. Ecol. 1: 71–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles, D.E., Battarbee, R.W., Renberg, I., van Dam, H. and Small, J.P. 1990. Paleo-ecological analysis of lake acidification trends in North America and Europe using diatoms and chrysophytes. In: Norton, S.A., Lindberg, S.E. and Page, A.L. (Eds.) Acid precipitation. Vol. 4. Soils, aquatic processes, and lake acidification. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 207–276.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, K. 1921. Undersökelse över örretens utdöen i det syd-vestlig Norges fjellvande [Studies on the decline of trout in the mountain waters of south-western Norway.] - Norsk Jaeger Fiskeforen. Tidsskr. 49: 249–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, R.B. 1987. Palaeolimnological diatom studies of acidification of lakes by acid rain: an application of quaternary science. - Quatern. Sci. Res. 6: 147–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Degerman, E., Engblom, E., Lingdell, P.-E., Melin, E. and Olofsson, E. 1991. Forsurning i fjallen? [English summary: Acidification in the mountains?] - Inform. Inst. Freshw. Res., Drottningholm (2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickson, W. 1986. Critical load of nitrogen on surface waters. In: Nilsson, J. (Ed.) Critical loads for sulphur and nitrogen. - Nordic Counc. Minst., Miljorap. 1986: 11: 210–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellenberg, H. 1985. Veränderungen der Flora in Mitteleuropa unter dem Einfluss von Diingung und Immissionen. - Schweiz. Z. Forstwes. 136: 19–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkel, R.C., Langway, C.C. and Claussen, H.B. 1986. Changes in precipitation chemistry at Dye 3, Greenland. - J. Geophys. Res. 910: 9849–9855.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frank, H. and Frank, W. 1986. Photochemical activation of chloroethenes leading to destruction of photosynthetic pigments. - Experientia 42: 1267–1269.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galloway, J.N. 1989. Atmospheric acidification: projections for the future. - Ambio 18: 161–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glatzel, G., Kilian, W., Sterba, H. and Stohr, D. 1984. Waldbodenversauerung in Österreich — Veränderungen der pH-werte von Waldböden während der letzten Dezennien.–Österreichischer Forstverein. Forschungsber., Vienna, Rep. 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorham, E. 1976. Acid precipitation and its influence upon aquatic ecosystems- an overview. - Water Air Soil Poll. 6: 457–481.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grahn, O., Hultberg, H. and Landner, L. 1974. Oligotrophication — a self accelerating process in lakes subjected to excessive supply of acid substances. - Ambio 3: 93–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallbäcken, L. and Tamm, C.-O. 1986. Changes in soil acidity from 1927 to 1982–1984 in a forest area of south-west Sweden. - Scand. J. Forest Res. 1: 219–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heil, G.W. and Diemont, W.M. 1983. Raised nutrient levels change heathland into grassland. - Vegetatio 53: 113–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henriksen, A. 1979. A simple approach for identifying and measuring acidification of freshwater. - Nature 278: 542–545.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henriksen, A. and Brakke, D.F. 1988. Increasing contribution of nitrogen to the acidity of surface waters in Norway. - Water Air Soil Poll. 42: 183–201.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henriksen, A., Lien, L., Traaen, T.S., Sevaldrud, I.S. and Brakke, D.F. 1988. Lake acidification in Norway — present and predicted chemical status. - Ambio 17: 259–266.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henriksen, A., Kämäri, J., Posch, M. and Wilander, A. 1992. Critical loads of acidity to Nordic surface waters. - Ambio 21: 356–363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hettelingh, J.-P., Downing, R.J. and de Smet, P.A.M. 1991. Mapping critical loads for Europe. - Coord. Cent. Effects, Bilthoven, The Netherlands, Techn., Rep. 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hindar, A. and Rosseland, B.O. 1988. Liming acidic waters in Norway: national policy and research and development. - Water Air Soil Poll. 41: 17–24.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson, T.C. and Havas, M. 1985. Recovery of previously acidified lakes near Coniston, Canada, following reductions in atmospheric sulphur and metal emissions. - Water Air Soil Poll. 28: 319–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson, T.C. and Meema, K.M. (Eds.) 1987. Effects of atmospheric pollutants on forests, wetlands and agricultural ecosystems. - Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 267–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huttunen, P., Kenttämies, K., Liehu, A., Liukkonen, M., Nuotio, T., Sandman, O. and Turkia, J. 1990. Palaeoecological evaluation of the recent acidification of susceptible lakes. In: Kauppi, P., Anttila, P. and Kenttämies, K. (Eds.) Acidification in Finland. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 1071–1090.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iversen, T., Halvorsen, N.E., Mylona, S. and Sandnes, H. 1991. Calculated budgets for airborne acidifying components in Europe. - EMEP MSC-W (Norway) 1/91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacks, G., Olofsson, E. and Werme, G. 1986. An acid surge in a well-buffered stream. - Ambio 5: 282–285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansson, M.G., Persson, G. and Broberg, 0. 1986. Phosphorus in acidified lakes: the ex&le of Lake Gårdsjön, Sweden. - Hydrobiologia 39: 81–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, V.J., Stevenson, A.C. and Battarbee, R. 1986. Lake acidification and the land-use hypothesis; a mid-postglacial analogue. - Nature 322: 157–158.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kämäri, J. 1986. Critical deposition limits for surface waters assessed by a process-oriented model. In: Nilsson, J. (Ed.) Critical loads for nitrogen and sulphur. - Nordic Counc. Minist., Miljorap. 1986: 11: 121–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kämäri, J., Amann, M., Brodin, Y.-W., Chadwick, M.J., Henriksen, A., Hettelingh, J.-P., Kuylenstierna, J.C.I., Posch, M. and Sverdrup, H. 1992. The use of critical loads for the assessment of future alternatives for acidification. - Ambio 21: 377–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kortelainen, P.J. and Mannio, J. 1988. Natural and anthropogenic acidity sources for Finnish lakes. - Water Air Soil, Poll. 42: 341–352.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kucera, V. (Ed.) 1990. Effects of water and soil acidification on corrosion. - Nordic Counc. Minist., Miljorap. 1990: 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J.A., Caporn, S.J.M. and Read, D.J. 1992. Effects of increasing nitrogen deposition and acidification on heathlands. In: Schneider, T. (Ed.) Acidification research: evaluation and policy applications. Elsevier Sci. Publ. B.V., Amsterdam, pp. 97–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malanchuck, J. and Nilsson, J. (Eds.) 1989. The role of nitrogen in the acidification of soils and surface waters. - Nordic Counc. Minist., Miljorap. 1989: 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martyn, C.N., Osmond, C., Edwardson, J.A., Barker, D.J.P., Harris, E.C. and Lacey, R.F. 1989. Geographical relation between Alzheimer’s disease and drinking water. - Lancet (1989): 59–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin, S.B. 1985. Effects of air pollution on forests: a critical review. - J. Air Poll. Cont. Assoc. 35: 512–534.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merilehto, K., Kenttamies, K. and Kamari, J. 1988. Surface water acidification in the ECE region. - Nordic Counc. Minist., Miljorap. 1988: 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muniz, I.P. 1984. The effects of acidification on Scandinavian freshwater fish fauna. - Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London B305: 517–528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, S. and Duinker, P. 1987. The extent of forest decline in Europe. A synthesis of survey results - Environment 29: 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, S.I., Miller, H.G. and Miller, J.D. 1982. Forest growth as a possible cause of soil and water acidification: an examination of the concepts. - Oikos 39: 40–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olem, H. 1991. Liming acidic surface waters. Lewis Publ., Chelsea, Michigan, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rechcigl, J.E. and Sparks, D.L. 1985. Effect of acid rain on the soil environment: a review. - Comm. Soil Sci. Plant. Anal. 16: 653–680.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renberg, I., Korsman, T. and Anderson, J. 1993. A temporal perspective of lake acidification in Sweden. - Ambio 22: 264–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, T.M., Skeffington, R.A. and Blank, L.W. 1989. Causes of type 1 spruce decline in Europe. - Forestry 62: 179–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodhe, H. and Herrera, R. (Eds.) 1988. Acidification in tropical countries. - Scope Rep. 36. J. Wiley & Sons, Chichester, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandnes, H. and Styve, H. 1992. Calculated budgets for airborne acidifying components in Europe, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. - EMEP/MSC-W (Norway) 1/92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Svensson, B.G., Bjornham, A., Schutz, A., Lettevall, U., Nilsson, A. and Skerfving, S. 1987. Acidic deposition and human exposure to toxic metals. - Sci. Tot. Environ. 67: 101–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sverdrup, H., Warfvinge, P., Frogner, T., Håoya, A.O., Johansson, M. and Andersen, B. 1992. Critical loads for forest soils in the Nordic countries. - Ambio 21: 348–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarrason, L. 1992. Contributions to sulphur background deposition over Europe: results for 1988. - EMEP/MSC-W (Norway) Note 5/92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Terengenza, N.J.C. 1986. Acidification effects on the flora of Cornwall. - Cornwall Conserv. Rev. 1 /86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, B. and Meyer, H. 1987. Chemischer Zustand der Waldböden Deutschlands zwischen 1920 und 1960, Ursachen und Tendenzen seiner Veranderung. - Ber. Forsch. Zent. Waldokosyst., Univ. Göttingen, Germany B6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, B. and Pankrath, S. (Eds.) 1983. Effects of accumulation of air pollutants in forest ecosystems. Reidel Publ. Comp., Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Breemen, N., Mulder, J. and Driscoll, C.T. 1983. Acidification and alkalinization of soils. - Plant Soil 75: 283–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Butzke, H. 1981. Versauern unsere Walder? Erste Ergebnisse der Uberpriifung 20 Jahren alter pH-Wert-Messungen in Waldboden Nordrhein-Westfalens. - Der Forst- & Holzwirt 21: 542–547.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, I.R., Smol, J.P., Engstrom, D.J. and Birks, H.J.B. 1990. An assessment of Chironomidae as quantitative indicators of past climatic change. - Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 48: 975–987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, A.Y., Bates, R.R. and Kennedy, D. 1988. Air pollution, the automobile, and public health. National Acad. Press, Washington, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO 1986. Health impact of acidic deposition. - Sci. Tot. Environm. 52: 157–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO 1987. Air quality guidelines for Europe. - WHO Reg. Publ., European Ser. 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshimura, S. 1934. The most acid-water lake of the world; Katanuma by Narugo Hot Springs. - Science 4: 498–499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, D. and Xiong, J. 1988. Acidification in south-western China. In: Rodhe, H. and Herrera, R. (Eds.) Acidification in tropical countries. - Scope Rep. 36. J. Wiley & Sons, Chichester, England, pp. 317–346.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, S-171 85, Solna, Sweden

    Y.-W. Brodin

Authors
  1. Y.-W. Brodin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Municipality of Mark, S-51180, Kinna, Sweden

    Lennart Henrikson

  2. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, S-17185, Solna, Sweden

    Y. W. Brodin

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Brodin, YW. (1995). Acidification of lakes and watercourses in a global perspective. In: Henrikson, L., Brodin, Y.W. (eds) Liming of Acidified Surface Waters. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79309-7_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79309-7_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-79311-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-79309-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation