28. Ecological impacts of air pollution*
Area of sensitive UK habitats exceeding
critical loads for acidification and eutrophication, 1996 to 2004
| Area affected by acidity since: |
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
| Area affected by nitrogen since: |
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
- Critical loads are thresholds above which the deposition of pollutants
causing acidification and eutrophication (e.g. excessive freshwater
algae growth due to nitrogen) causes significant harm to the environment.
The pollutants come mainly from burning fossil fuels and waste from
farm animals. Around a third of UK land area is sensitive to acid deposition,
and a third to eutrophication (with some sensitive to both).
- In 1996, the percentage of sensitive habitat area where acid deposited
exceeded critical loads was 73 per cent. Between 2000 and 2004 this
declined from 60 to 56 per cent.
- The percentage of sensitive habitat area subject to critical loads
of nitrogen pollution remained at 59 per cent between 2000 and 2004,
down from 65 per cent in 1996.
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