Do we understand trends in atmospheric sulfur species?
Anomalies appear to exist in our understanding of atmospheric sulfur compounds, specifically as evidenced in the time trends of the different chemical forms of these compounds. Trends determined at a number of locations by several different groups seem to indicate that, responding to emission reductions across North America, the concentration of SO2 in the atmosphere is declining more rapidly than that of aerosol SO4(2-). A number of possible reasons for this discrepancy are examined, but it is not possible to provide a definitive answer at this stage. The intent is to stimulate debate, because shortcomings in our understanding of the processes involved could have profound implications for the credibility of abatement strategies and policies for both acid deposition and fine particulate matter (PM).
Reid
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Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Toronto, Canada. neville.reid@ene.gov.on.ca
Misra
P K
PK
Bloxam
R
R
Yap
D
D
Rao
S T
ST
Civerolo
K
K
Brankov
E
E
Vet
R J
RJ
D015258:Acid Rain; D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D011640:Public Policy; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000737:chemistry
D015258:Acid Rain; D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; C033158:sulfuric acid