Measuring critical loads of nitrogen deposition in the U.S.

Air pollution is a serious environmental and public health problem resulting from emissions by power and industrial plants, motor vehicles, and agriculture. Sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) emissions are two components of air pollution and cause wide-ranging, long-term threats to the health of forest, range, and wetland ecosystems. Sulfur and nitrogen gas emissions can combine with moisture in the air to become acidic molecules that fall to earth as acid deposition (commonly called acid rain, fog, or snow). Most pollution control efforts have focused on sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions and these efforts have shown some positive results, with a measurable reduction in acidity of some lakes and wetlands.

View the Autumn 2011 Research Review (1.4 MB PDF)

For more information contact

Rebecca Nisley 
Newsletter Editor 
USDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station 
51 Mill Pond Road 
Hamden, CT 06514

203-230-4338