Acid deposition in the Netherlands

Abstract

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In this report dry and wet deposition of acid components and acidifying substances in the Netherlands are presented. The depositions were estimated from measurements of concentrations in the atmosphere and in precipitation. The method has been applied for the Netherlands on a 5 x 5 km2 scale. The emphasis has been on estimating the deposition fluxes to nature areas in the Netherlands. In 1989 the total potential acid deposition was estimated to be 4800 mol H+/ha-1/a-1 (28% SOx, 24% NOy, 46% NHx and 2% HCl). In 1980 the potential acid deposition was estimated to be 6800 mol H+/ha-1/a-1. The decrease in 1989 with respect to 1980 is mainly the result of the lower SOx deposition. Dry deposition on forests in the Netherlands is on the average 20% higher for SOx, NOy and NHx. Dry deposition on heathland was estimated 10% higher for SOx, NOy and NHx. Dry deposition on moorland pools was estimated 120% higher for SOx, 40% lower for NOy and 90% higher for NHx than for the average Dutch landscape. The estimated uncertainty in the potential acid deposition flux is about range 44-80% for 5 x 5 km2 grids and 16-48% for the Netherlands on the whole.