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Lakes and rivers across northeastern Alberta and northern Saskatchewan are weathering unsustainable levels of acid pollution, a three-year study suggests.
The study, by Environment Canada, Alberta Environment and Parks, Saskatchewan Environment and Trent University and published this month in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, suggests contamination levels have reached critical levels in some areas.
The pollution is threatening terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, already fragile from years of acid exposure, said study author Paul Makar.
“This is a warning,” said Makar, a senior research scientist with Environment Canada’s science and technology branch.
“If we continue to emit at this level, there will be ecosystem damage at some point in the future.”
Acid pollution can result in stunted tree growth, diminished aquatic life, and reduced fish stocks, Makar said.
Based on 2013 emissions levels, the
This story was originally published on CBC News. To read the rest of this news worthy story, please visit https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/acid-pollution-study-alberta-saskatchewan-1.4761165?cmp=rss.
