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

Abstract

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.

A chronology of global air quality

“…The industrial nations had designed tall stacks to disperse the pollutants without considering possible effects outside their jurisdiction. The combination of the science and political background is described in detail by Grennfelt et al [57]. An earlier description of the political background in the UK by Rose [65] provides further insights and is typical of the large number of publications on the politics of acid rain.…”

“…The scale of effects of pollutants on ecosystems quantified at the turn of the twenty-first century showed that 24% of global forests were exposed to phytotoxic exposures of ozone [100]. The development of the Critical Loads approach and integrated assessment methods proved valuable instruments in the development of policies to maximize the ecological benefits of control measures within the LRTAP Convention [57].…”

Design of pH Responsive Textile as a Sensor Material for Acid Rain

“…The pH of rainwater drops and becomes more acidic due to atmospheric emissions of air pollutants, almost exclusively caused by destructive human activities, in particular the burning of fossil fuels, industrial and agricultural activities, and car exhaust fumes. The phenomenon of wet deposition with high concentrations of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides has been defined as acid rain [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Rain is categorised as acid rain when its pH is 5.6 or below.…”

“…Rain is categorised as acid rain when its pH is 5.6 or below. The acid rain phenomenon remains topical, despite extensive research and continuous monitoring of acid deposition and air pollution being carried out for at least half a century, following several cross-border agreements, protocols, and policies [ 1 ]. Although emissions have decreased significantly in Western European countries, North America, and some others, Southwest China and Southeast Asia countries are among the worst affected areas [ 2 ].…”

Desulfurization of model and real fuels by extraction and oxidation processes using an indenylmolybdenum tricarbonyl pre‐catalyst

“…These pollutants are harmful to human health and to the environment. [18][19][20][21] They also prevent the use of more advanced emission control systems in motor vehicles, e.g. for limiting NO x emissions.…”