Peat Bog Ecosystems: Atmospheric pollution

Peatlands can be damaged by deposition of pollutants from the atmosphere – often termed ‘ acid rain ’ . This results from the release of sulphur and nitrogen pollutants into the atmosphere . Originally associated with the Industrial Revolution, ‘acid rain’ was first described by Robert Angus Smith, a Manchester chemist of the 1800s , whose obser vations were made in close proximity to the peatlands of the South Pennines. Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) pollution, which is mainly emitted from coal burning power stations, peaked in the 1970s and has since decreased by over 90% due to emission controls and ch anges in energy supply. N itrogen ous air pollutants have decreased less . N itrogen oxide (NO x ) emissions , which are mainly from vehicle s , have decreased by two thirds since their peak in 1990 , but the decrease in ammonia ( NH 3 ) emissions , which are mainly from intensive livestock farming, is much less certain and may be only about 20%.