Acidification in Central Europe and Scandinavia: A Competition between Anthropogenic, Geochemical and Biochemical Processes

Weathering and erosion rates in regions receiving high doses of sulphate and nitrogen dioxides as a result of industrial emissions (burning of fossil fuels and smelting of ores) and the use of nitrate and ammonium fertilizers and superphosphates were studied. The oxidation of nitrogen and sulphur dioxides in the atmosphere produced strong acids, and the biological fixation of cations in the soil as a result of fertilizers had accentuated acidification and corrosion. The problem of acidification and acid rains, and their effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests is discussed. Soil acidification was possibly not reversible.