High-resolution maps of critical loads for sulfur and nitrogen in China

Ge, Xiaodong; Yu, Qian; Duan, Lei; Zhao, Yu; Posch, Maximilian; Hao, Jiming

doi:10.1038/s41597-023-02178-z

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 36 publications

(32 reference statements)

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“…CL is defined as a quantitative estimate of an exposure to one or more pollutants below which significant harmful effects on specified sensitive elements of the environment do not occur according to present knowledge (Nilsson and Grennfelt, 1988). CL for soil and surface waters were mapped and updated in recent decades (Duan 2000a;2000b;Lv et al, 2023;Ge et al, 2023), and applied in emission control policy in China (Yu et al, 2024). From the perspective of CL, the acid deposition control policies in China during 2005-2015 did not achieve as significant results as in Europe and North America (Yu et al, 2024).…”

Section: H I G H L I G H T S G R a P H I C Abstractmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of acid deposition control in China: a review based on responses of subtropical forests

Xie,

Ge,

Duan

et al. 2024

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

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For many decades, acid deposition used to pose a significant regional air pollution challenge in China. After substantial emission control of anthropogenically derived sulfur and nitrogen containing gasses, both sulfur and nitrogen deposition, as well as the acid rain-affected area, have significantly decreased compared to their peak levels. Forests, particularly in the humid subtropics, are sensitive to acid deposition, as evidenced by soil acidification, sulfate and nitrate leaching in stream water, and elevated soil nitrous oxide emission. Reduction in the total deposition of sulfur and nitrogen, caused a significant decline in sulfate and nitrate leaching from subtropical forest and subsequently in sulfate and nitrate concentrations in stream water, although there was about a 5-year delay. This delay may be attributed to the desorption of accumulated sulfate and continued elevated mineralization of accumulated nitrogen pools. Emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, also declined in nitrogen-saturated subtropical forest soils, as soil water nitrate concentration decreased. Therefore, subtropical forests in China suffering from elevated acid deposition have begun to recover. Yet, the current levels of sulfur and nitrogen deposition continue to exceed the critical loads, i.e., the assigned threshold levels in accordance with emission control policies, in more than 10% of the country’s land area, respectively, indicating remaining risks of acidification and eutrophication. Thus, further emission reductions are urgently needed, also because they will help achieving goals related to air quality and nitrous oxide emissions.

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Section: H I G H L I G H T S G R a P H I C Abstractmentioning

confidence: 99%