Sulfur dioxide: Environmental effects
Description
Even low concentrations of sulfur dioxide can harm plants and trees and reduce crop productivity. Higher levels, and especially the acidic deposits from acid rain, will adversely affect both land and water ecosystems.
Entering the environment
Industrial emissions of sulfur dioxide can produce elevated, but still low level concentrations in the atmosphere around the source. Volcanic eruptions, while sporadic, are significant contributors to sulfur dioxide in their local area, and contribute to global background levels of sulfur dioxide.
Where it ends up
Sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere is absorbed by soils and plants. It is also captured within and below clouds and in certain circumstances may raise the acidity of the resultant rain. This is known as acid rain, which occurs in Europe and North America, but acid rain, from sulfur dioxide, has not been documented in Australia.
Environmental guidelines
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Key
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