Key Facts about: Inland Waters
Sensitive habitats where critical loads for acidification and eutrophication were exceeded
United Kingdom
|
Percentage (three year average) of sensitive habitat area where critical load thresholds were exceeded for: |
||||
|
Acidity |
Nutrient nitrogen |
|||
|
1996 |
2004 |
1996 |
2004 |
|
| England |
76 |
71 |
94 |
89 |
| Wales |
90 |
82 |
95 |
86 |
| Scotland |
68 |
44 |
46 |
38 |
| Northern Ireland |
81 |
73 |
89 |
79 |
| United Kingdom |
73 |
56 |
66 |
56 |
This is a UK Government sustainable development strategy indicator
Critical loads are thresholds above which the deposition of certain pollutants causes significant harm to the environment through acidification and eutrophication (e.g. excessive freshwater algae growth due to nitrogen). The pollutants come mainly from burning fossil fuels and waste from farm animals.
Since 2000 inclusion of nitric acid deposition increases the area of estimated critical load exceedance compared to earlier periods; In all years 3 year average deposition is used to reduce substantial year-to-year variability. There was a reduction in the percentage of the area of sensitive habitats where critical loads were exceeded in the UK as a whole between 1996 and 2004. Scotland experienced the largest reduction in acidity exceedance from 68 per cent in 1996 to 44 per cent in 2004.
In Detail:
Further Information:
- Source:
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
- Key Facts:
- Individual pollutants:
- Ammonia
- B[a]P concentrations
- Carbon Monoxide
- Ground level ozone exceedances
- Particulate (PM10) emissions
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
- Volatile organic compounds emissions
- Sustainable Development Indicators:
- Protecting our natural resources and enhancing the environment: Ecological impacts of air pollution
Data Tables:
Download background data to chart. Microsoft Excel format.
- Internet Links:
- http://critloads.ceh.ac.uk
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Page last modified: 14 August 2007
Page published: 11 August 2005