Slight recovery from acid rain

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UK sites in acid rain 'recovery'

 

Greater use of natural gas instead of coal has led to a drop in acid

rain

Some of the UK's most environmentally sensitive upland lakes and

streams are recovering from the impact of acid rain, the government

has said.

Acidic sulphur in Britain's water has generally halved in the last 15

years, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said

research showed.

 

In around half of 22 sites monitored by scientists, invertebrates and

native algae were showing signs of recovery.

 

Environment minister Ben Bradshaw said the research

was " encouraging " .

 

It is thought that emissions controls and greater use of natural gas

instead of coal is aiding the reduction and boosting fish, plants and

insects.

 

Since 1970 there has been a 74% decline in sulphur dioxide emissions

from 3.8 million tonnes to one million tonnes in 2002, and a 37%

decline in emissions of nitrogen oxides.

 

These gases, along with emissions of ammonia from agriculture, are

largely to blame for acid rain.

 

The switch from coal to gas in both power generation and in the

home, while being mainly for economic reasons, has also meant a lot

less pollution

 

Ben Bradshaw, Defra

The wildlife and chemistry of upland lakes and rivers throughout the

UK had also been severely affected.

 

Natterjack toads in the south of England may have died out due to the

acidification of their spawning grounds, while salmon and trout

fisheries in small Welsh rivers have also suffered significant

declines.

 

The research, by University College London, is based on 22 of the

most sensitive waters in the UK, which have been monitored

continuously since 1988.

 

In some sites, acid-sensitive mosses and other aquatic plants were

found for the first time in 15 years.

 

And at three of the most acidic sites identified, juvenile brown

trout have recently been found for the first time since 1988.

 

There is a risk that a wetter climate in the uplands in future

might offset some of the recovery we are now seeing

 

Rick Battarbee, UCL

Other examples of improvements include the River Etherow in the

Pennines which has experienced substantial reductions in biologically

toxic aluminium.

 

Also, the Round Loch of Glenhead, in Galloway, and Llyn Llag in

Snowdonia - both with a well documented history of acidification -

have seen stands of aquatic plants return.

 

Ben Bradshaw said the research highlighted how measures brought in by

government were starting to bear fruit.

 

" It will take time for these sensitive waters to recover from the

devastating effects of acid rain, " he said.

 

" The switch from coal to gas in both power generation and in the

home, while being mainly for economic reasons, has also meant a lot

less pollution.

 

" New strengthened measures such as the implementation of the Large

Combustion Plant Directive will help ease the situation even

further. "

 

Professor Rick Battarbee, of UCL, warned Britain's waters were

not " in the clear " .

 

" There is a long way to go. There is a risk that a wetter climate in

the uplands in future might offset some of the recovery we are now

seeing, " he said.

 

" It will take time for these sensitive waters to recover and, as the

impacts of sulphur decrease, the impacts of nitrogen pollution from

emissions become more noticeable