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The Federal Plan for Mitigation of Acid Precipitation Effects in the United States: Opportunities for Basic and Applied Research
Author(s) -
Schreiber R. Kent,
Rago Paul J.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(1984)009<0031:tfpfmo>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - acid rain , alkalinity , aquatic ecosystem , government (linguistics) , business , plan (archaeology) , precipitation , environmental planning , environmental science , environmental resource management , productivity , ecosystem , environmental protection , ecology , geography , chemistry , biology , economic growth , economics , linguistics , philosophy , organic chemistry , archaeology , meteorology
The Acid Precipitation Act of 1980 authorized formation of a government‐wide interagency task force to develop a National Acid Precipitation Assessment Plan (NAPAP). One of the objectives of NAPAP is the development of mitigation measures for aquatic ecosystems. Given the potential magnitude of the problem and the complexity of its solution, mitigation methods play an important role in protection of fish populations at risk and in rehabilitation of acidified systems to restore fishery productivity. The term “mitigation” usually connotes application of lime or other base materials to affected surface waters. Mitigation, however, encompasses a much broader range of treatments, including creation of favorable micro‐habitats for selected life stages, application of other acid‐neutralizing and ligand materials, development of resistant fish strains, and stimulation of biologically‐produced alkalinity. Development of mitigation methods should be viewed not only as a response to a pressing national need, but also as a unique opportunity for basic and applied research extending to many areas of fishery science. An active research program on mitigation methods and strategies can provide much insight into the structure and functioning of aquatic systems undergoing acidification.