Journal article
Evaluation of different approaches for modeling effects of acid rain on soils in China
The Science of the total environment, Vol.246(2), pp.175-193
2000
DOI: 10.1016/S0048-9697(99)00457-X
PMID: 10696722
Abstract
Acid deposition is an environmental problem of increasing concern in China. Acidic soils are common in the southern part of the country and soil acidification caused by acid deposition is expected to occur. Here we test and apply two different approaches for modeling effects of acid deposition and compare results with observed data from sites throughout southern China. The dynamic model MAGIC indicates that, during the last few decades, soil acidification rates have increased considerably due to acid deposition. This acidification will continue if sulfur deposition is not reduced, and if reduced more rapidly than base cation deposition. With the Steady State Mass Balance model (SSMB), and assuming that a molar ratio of Ca
2+/Al
3+<1 in soil water is harmful to vegetation, we estimate a slight probability for exceedance of the critical load for present deposition rates. Results from both modeling approaches show a strong dependence with deposition of base cations as well as sulfur. Hence, according to the models, changes in emission control of alkaline particulate matter prior to sulfur dioxide will be detrimental to the environment. Model calculations are, however, uncertain, particularly because available data on base cation deposition fluxes are scarce, and that model formulation of aluminum chemistry does not fully reproduce observations. An effort should be made to improve our present knowledge regarding deposition fluxes. Improvements to the model are suggested. Our work indicates that the critical loads presented in the regional acid deposition assessment model RAINS-Asia are too stringent. We find weaknesses in the SSMB approach, developed for northern European conditions, when applying it to Chinese conditions. We suggest an improved effort to revise the risk parameters for use in critical load estimates in China.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Evaluation of different approaches for modeling effects of acid rain on soils in China
- Creators
- Thorjørn Larssen - Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, 0315 Oslo, NorwayJerald L Schnoor - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, 116 ERF, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAHans Martin Seip - Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, 0315 Oslo, NorwayZhao Dawei - Chongqing Institute of Environmental Science and Monitoring, 37 Jia Ling VLG-1, Jiang Bei District, 630020, Chongqing, China
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Science of the total environment, Vol.246(2), pp.175-193
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0048-9697(99)00457-X
- PMID
- 10696722
- ISSN
- 0048-9697
- eISSN
- 1879-1026
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2000
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9983997985202771
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