Long-term study shows acid pollution in rain decreases with emissions

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://news.illinois.edu/news/11/1116acid_rain_ChristopherLehmann_DavidGay.html

Long-term study shows acid pollution in rain decreases with emissions

11/16/2011 | Liz Ahlberg, Physical Sciences Editor | 217-244-1073; [e-mail]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Emissions regulations do have an environmental impact, according to a long-term study of acidic rainfall by researchers at the University of Illinois.

The http://nadp.isws.illinois.edu/">National Atmospheric Deposition Program collects rainfall samples weekly from more than 250 stations across the United States and analyzes them for pollutants. The program recently released a report detailing trends in acidic rainfall frequency and concentration over 25 years, from 1984 to 2009.

“This is the longest-term, widest-scale precipitation pollution study in the U.S. In particular, we wanted to see how the trends in the pollution and the rain correlated back to emissions regulations,” said Christopher Lehmann, a researcher in the program, which is part of the http://www.isws.illinois.edu/">Illinois State Water Survey at the U. of I. “We’re seeing regulations on emissions sources having direct and positive impact to reduce pollutants in rain.”

The phenomenon commonly known as “acid rain” has widespread effects not only on the ecosystem, but also on infrastructure and the economy. Polluted precipitation adversely affects forestry, fishing, agriculture and other industries. Acid also erodes structures, damaging buildings, roads and bridges.

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[HopeHoops]

1. That's sort of a "well duh" study, but it still won't satisfy the wingnuts.

If they haven't already started, expect FOX to bring on "experts" to point out why the study was a liberal pork-barrel project with no validity. But hey, that's FOXs job, isn't it?

[trotsky]

2. Yes those wealthy climate scientists are merely cashing in on billion-dollar gov't grants...

and don't want their cash cow affected.

That the deniers can say this with a straight face while oil companies snicker over their shoulder is beyond me.

[HopeHoops]

3. They're morons.

Clip from "Blazing Saddles" - 18 seconds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txrikNFX-8E