Water acidification by air pollutants in the Federal Republic of Germany

Abstract

In the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), airborne pollutants are leading to an increased rate of acidification of aquatic systems. In particular, the upper reaches of rivers and obligotrophic lakes in low-carbonate areas are affected. These areas are a minority of the total number of waterways, but are of great importance for environmental protection. Water acidification cannot be viewed as an isolated issue. In forested areas, it is associated with damage to the entire ecosystem. In lakes and streams, one of the most significant effects of water acidification is fish mortality; several bodies of water in which fish were once plentiful are now devoid of fish. With increasing acidification of the ground water, drinking-water supply problems may also be expected. All measures which can be taken to prevent the entry of pollutants into aquatic systems are preferred to those which merely treat the symptoms of acidified aquatic systems (e.g. addition of lime). The Federal Environmental Agency therefore considers the reduction of air pollutants to be the most effective solution to the problem of acidified of aquatic systems.