The science and policy of critical loads of pollutant deposition to protect ecosystems in New York

Sullivan, Timothy J.; Jenkins, J. P.

doi:10.1111/nyas.12407

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Although the ANC chemical threshold can vary according to local environmental conditions and selected biological indicators, the scientific literature supports using 50 μeq/L as a default chemical threshold for ANC when refined information is not available (Driscoll et al. , USEPA , Sullivan and Jenkins , McDonnell et al. ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Relationships between biological indicators sensitive to acidification and ANC are well documented and defined (Sullivan 2000). Although the ANC chemical threshold can vary according to local environmental conditions and selected biological indicators, the scientific literature supports using 50 leq/L as a default chemical threshold for ANC when refined information is not available (Driscoll et al 2001, USEPA 2009, Sullivan and Jenkins 2014, McDonnell et al 2015. For example, some surface waters likely had naturally low ANC levels (e.g., ANC % 30 leq/L in some areas of the southeastern United States during preindustrial times); attempting to bring ANC levels up to 50 leq/L would be inappropriate in this situation.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If the level of acidic deposition to a water body, and its contributing watershed, is high enough to cause ecosystem change, the water body is said to be in exceedance of the critical load (CL; Sullivan and Jenkins ). A CL is “a quantitative estimate of 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 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impacts to ecosystem services from aquatic acidification: using FEGS‐CS to understand the impacts of air pollution

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Increases in anthropogenic emissions of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) have resulted in increasesin the associated atmospheric deposition of acidic compounds. In sensitive watersheds, this deposition has initiated a cascade of negative environmental effects on aquatic ecosystems, resulting in a degradation or loss of valuable ecosystem goods and services. Here, we report the activities of an expert workgroup to synthesize information on acidic deposition-induced aquatic acidification from the published literature and to link critical load exceedances with ecosystem services and beneficiaries, using the Stressor-Ecological Production function-Final Ecosystem Services (STEPS) Framework and the Final Ecosystem Goods and Services Classification System (FEGS-CS). Experts identified and documented the sensitive aquatic ecosystem ecological endpoints valued by humans, and the environmental pathways through which these endpoints may experience degradation in response to acidification. Beneficiary groups were then identified for each sensitive ecological endpoint to clarify relationships between humans and the effects of aquatic acidification, and to lay the foundation for future research and analysis to value these FEGS.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impacts to ecosystem services from aquatic acidification: using FEGS‐CS to understand the impacts of air pollution

et al. 2017

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Regional evaluation and estimates of atmospheric nitrogen deposition for United States hydrologic units and ecoregions

Akter,

Lamancusa,

Naranjo-Soledad

et al. 2023

Atmospheric Environment

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Loss of ecosystem services due to chronic pollution of forests and surface waters in the Adirondack region (USA)

Beier

Caputo

Lawrence

et al. 2017

Journal of Environmental Management

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Sustaining recent progress in mitigating acid pollution could require lower emissions caps that will give rise to real or perceived tradeoffs between healthy ecosystems and inexpensive energy. Because most impacts of acid rain affect ecosystem functions that are poorly understood by policy-makers and the public, an ecosystem services (ES) framework can help to measure how pollution affects human well-being. Focused on the Adirondack region (USA), a global 'hot-spot' of acid pollution, we measured how the chronic acidification of the region's forests, lakes, and streams has affected the potential economic and cultural benefits they provide to society. We estimated that acid-impaired hardwood forests provide roughly half of the potential benefits of forests on moderate to well-buffered soils - an estimated loss of ∼ $10,000 ha in net present value of wood products, maple syrup, carbon sequestration, and visual quality. Acidic deposition has had only nominal impact - relative to the effects of surficial geology and till depth - on the capacity of Adirondack lakes and streams to provide water suitable for drinking. However, as pH declines in lakes, the estimated value of recreational fishing decreases significantly due to loss of desirable fish such as trout. Hatchery stocking programs have partially offset the pollution-mediated losses of fishery value, most effectively in the pH range 4.8-5.5, but are costly and limited in scope. Although any estimates of the monetary 'damages' of acid rain have significant uncertainties, our findings highlight some of the more tangible economic and cultural benefits of pollution mitigation efforts, which continue to face litigation and political opposition.

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The science and policy of critical loads of pollutant deposition to protect ecosystems in New York

Cited by 6 publications

References 34 publications

Impacts to ecosystem services from aquatic acidification: using FEGS‐CS to understand the impacts of air pollution

Impacts to ecosystem services from aquatic acidification: using FEGS‐CS to understand the impacts of air pollution

Regional evaluation and estimates of atmospheric nitrogen deposition for United States hydrologic units and ecoregions

Loss of ecosystem services due to chronic pollution of forests and surface waters in the Adirondack region (USA)

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