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Transcript

The Acidification of Swedish lakes during the 1960s

Introduction

Influence of the milestone

In the 1960s lakes in Sweden stared to acidify. On this poster the consequences and causes are explained based on previous research.

Effects of acidification

In the 1960s multiple environmental issues surfaced for the first time, under which the problem of acid rain that caused the acidification of the lakes. People became more and more aware of their influence on the environment and its ecosystems. The discussion on acid rain caused a lot of commotion, people saw pictures of forests that seemed to be bare and lakes that were emptying of fish. By this, not only Sweden was worried about its lakes, but people all over the world started to worry about pollution caused by humans. Because of these worries, protocols were made and implemented. Countries came together and set limits on the emission off SO2 and NOx, the gasses that caused the acidification of the Swedish lakes. With this, recovery could start.

Causes of milestone

Acid rain had a major influence on Swedish lakes in the years 1960 to 1970. The pH level of lakes decreased. For example Lake Gårdsjön, near Göteborg. At the end of 1940s the pH level was around 6.25. Twenty years later, around 1970 the pH level had been decreased to around 4.7. This had a massive impact on the flora and fauna of Swedish lakes.

Effects of acidification on lakes:

  • The population of several species of fish, shellfish and insects decreased or were extinct.
  • Lack of food for fish eating birds and other fish eating animals.
  • Growth of insects which could survive water with low pH level.
  • Water was clearer, because less predation of zooplankton by fish and sinking of humus on the bottom the lake.

Sweden has many lakes. Unfortunately, several of these lakes had been in contact with acidification during the 1960s. The acidification was caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides of manufactures, vehicles and power plants. At that time the emission had never been that high. The gasses reached the air and were spread into the atmosphere by wind and air currents. The sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide molecules formed acidic fragments through the journey in the air. These fragments were deposited in dry or wet form on earth where it had horrible consequences on the environment.

The west of Sweden is known for its mountains. The acidic fragments were transported by wind into this area. Air rises, because of the height which causes the cooling and condensation of air which results to rain. This rain has also a lower pH because of the acidic fragments.

1. NO2 and SO2 comes in the air.

2. The molecules form acidic fragments and spread in the air.

3. Depletion of the fragments in dry or wet form.

4. Consequences on the environment

The graph shows that the emissions of sulphur dioxide increased exponentially in Sweden in the 1960s

The graph shows that the emission of SO2 of the world by continent has also grown during the 1960s

The image shows the amount of rain is falling in Sweden. Most rain falls near the sea and in the mountains

The Acidification of Swedish lakes during the 1960s

Effects of acidification

Acid rain had a major influence on Swedish lakes in the years 1960 to 1970. The pH level of lakes decreased. For example Lake Gårdsjön, near Göteborg. At the end of 1940s the pH level was around 6.25. Twenty years later, around 1970 the pH level had been decreased to around 4.7. This had a massive impact on the flora and fauna of Swedish lakes.

Effects of acidification on lakes:

  • The population of several species of fish, shellfish and insects decreased or were extinct.
  • Lack of food for fish eating birds and other fish eating animals.
  • Growth of insects which could survive water with low pH level.
  • Water was clearer, because less predation of zooplankton by fish and sinking of humus on the bottom the lake.

Causes

Sweden has many lakes. Unfortunately, several of these lakes had been in contact with acidification during the 1960s. The acidification was caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides of manufactures, vehicles and power plants. At that time the emission had never been that high. The gasses reached the air and were spread into the atmosphere by wind and air currents. The sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide molecules formed acidic fragments through the journey in the air. These fragments were deposited in dry or wet form on earth where it had horrible consequences on the environment.

The west of Sweden is known for its mountains. The acidic fragments were transported by wind into this area. Air rises, because of the height which causes the cooling and condensation of air which results to rain. This rain has also a lower pH because of the acidic fragments.

The graph shows that the emissions of sulphur dioxide increased exponentially in Sweden in the 1960s

In the graph shows that the emission of SO2 of the world by continent has also grown during the 1960s

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