Acid deposition

Overview

Acid deposition results when acid forming pollutants are deposited on the earth’s surface. Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are the main acid forming pollutants. Deposition of acidifying substances and their reactive products to terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems may result in acidification and damage to the ecosystem.

Management of acidic deposition requires an integrated approach that includes measurement, estimation of emissions and deposition, and evaluation of the effects of deposition on recipient ecosystems.

The Alberta Acid Deposition Management Framework (ADMF) has been developed through a multi-stakeholder approach to proactively manage acidification issues and enable sustainable industrial development.

ADMF revision

The ADMF was revised in 2022 to reflect updated science and to provide clarity and certainty to government, regulators and industry. The 2022 ADMF takes effect on January 3, 2023, and supersedes the 2008 ADMF. If acid deposition assessments are required for regulatory applications starting on or after this date, they must adhere to the 2022 framework. The technical handbook is for assessing regional acid deposition exceedances.

• Alberta Acid Deposition Management Framework (2022)
• Handbook for Assessing Regional Acid Deposition Exceedances

Acid deposition assessment

Under Alberta’s ADMF, 2 provincewide acid deposition assessments have been completed:

2011 Assessment

• 2011 Acid Deposition Assessment for Alberta

2004 Assessment and framework revision

• 2004 Acid Deposition Assessment for Alberta
• Review of the Acid Deposition Management Framework and Its Implementation

Resources

Historical trends in precipitation chemistry in Alberta:

• Atmospheric deposition monitoring program: concentrations and trends (selected ions in precipitation 2011-2020

Alberta's most recent critical loads of acidity for terrestrial ecosystems:

• Using steady-state mass balance model to determine critical loads of acidity for terrestrial ecosystems in Alberta, 2022

Trends in soil acidification in Alberta based on long term soil acidification monitoring:

• Cho, S., Dinwoodie, G., Fu, Y., Abboud, S., Turchenek, L. (2019): An assessment of long-term soil acidification trends in Alberta, Canada, Ecological Indicators, 98, 712-722, doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.11.020
• Trends in Soil Acidification in Alberta Based on Long Term Soil Acidification Monitoring from 1981 to 2010

Site-specific critical loads for acid deposition on soils at three locations in Alberta:

• Site-Specific Critical Loads of Acid Deposition on Soils in the Edmonton 83H East Map Sheet, Alberta
• Site-Specific Critical Loads of Acid Deposition on Soils in the Edmonton 83H West Map Sheet, Alberta
• Site-Specific Critical Loads of Acid Deposition on Soils in the Provost-Esther Area, Alberta

Acid deposition mailing list

The department has an automatic emailing system that will distribute acid deposition related information to those who subscribe to the list. Subscription to this list is open to all department staff, industry, NGOs and consultants, as well as members of the public.

Contact

Connect with us if you have questions about acid deposition in Alberta:

Email: [email protected]