SD Indicator 28: Ecological impacts of air pollution http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/progress/national/28.

htm

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Natural resource protection and enhancing the environment

28. Ecological impacts of air pollution*

Area of sensitive UK habitats exceeding critical loads for acidification and eutrophication,
1996 to 2004

Area affected by acidity since: 1990 1999

Area affected by nitrogen since: 1990 1999

Critical loads are thresholds above which the deposition of pollutants causing acidification
and eutrophication (e.g. excessive freshwater algae growth due to nitrogen) causes
significant harm to the environment. The pollutants come mainly from burning fossil fuels
and waste from farm animals. Around a third of UK land area is sensitive to acid deposition,
and a third to eutrophication (with some sensitive to both).
In 1996, the percentage of sensitive habitat area where acid deposited exceeded critical
loads was 73 per cent. Between 2000 and 2004 this declined from 60 to 56 per cent.

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SD Indicator 28: Ecological impacts of air pollution http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/progress/national/28.htm

The percentage of sensitive habitat area subject to critical loads of nitrogen pollution
remained at 59 per cent between 2000 and 2004, down from 66 per cent in 1996.

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Updated: 27 July 2007

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