Acid Rain Interactions with Leaf Surfaces: A Review

Abstract

The terrestrial regions of North America and Europe that experience elevated levels of acidity in rain are typically covered with at least one layer of vegetation. Those vegetation surfaces are the primary receptors of rain-deposited pollutants. As primary receptors, vegetation surfaces may be affected by and affect acids in rain. Alterations of leaf surface structure and function may be manifested by changes in whole plant function. However, interactions of vegetation surfaces with acid rain involve more than potential plant effects. Since the chemistry of incident precipitation is altered as it passes through vegetation canopies, the response of secondary receptors, such as soil and aquatic systems, may be affected by previous interactions between acid rain and vegetation surfaces. This chapter provides a review and discussion of literature pertinent to the interactions between vegetation surfaces and acidic deposition.