A RECENT government decision
which will -force
power companies
in the UK to bring
down emissions of
sulphur dioxide
drastically,- could
help large areas of
land affected by acid rain to make a
recovery. The two main electric power
stations, National Power and
PowerGen, have been asked to, bring
down emissions by 85 per cent by the
year 2005.
The ruling could allow for the
growth of sensitive lichens in lands
affected by acid rain and could also persuade trouts to frequent nearby upland
streams. Toads may also make a comeback to their erstwhile colonies in farm
ponds. However, the rate of recovery of
the land will be based on local geological
factors. For instance, easily eroding
rocks can help in the neutralisation of
the acid faster than slow-weathering
rocks like granite.
The government's decision is based
on the fact that power stations in UK
account for two-thirds of sulphur oxide
emissions which in turn cause about
half the country's acid rain. The rest is
caused by nitrogen emissions, mainly
from vehicles.
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