An assessment of critical loads of acid deposition in Kanpur Region, India

The present load of sulphur (161.1 Eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), nitrogen(49.9 Eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and ammonium (176.8 Eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) were calculated from wet and dry deposition from Kanpur region consisting of seven sampling sites located at IIT, Vikas Nagar, Panki, Arya Nagar, Rama Devi, Gola Ghat and Phoolbagh for the year 2014-2016. The values for critical load of sulphur and nitrogen for soil with respect to Barley (Hordeum vulgare) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus) were calculated. The methodology involved the Steady State Mass Balance (SSMB) method. The values of actual acidity calculated were also compared with the RAINS-Asia model and was found to be lower for this area.

Highlights

• The critical load approach is a methodology according to which critical loads are used as a criterion to assess whether emission reduction strategies are sufficient.

• The present load of sulphur (161.1 Eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), nitrogen(49.9 Eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and ammonium (176.8 Eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) were calculated from wet and dry deposition from Kanpur region.