Acid deposition and critical load analysis in Agra, India.

The deposition of sulphur (161.1 eq.ha(-1) per year), nitrogen(49.9 eq.ha(-1) per year), and ammonium (176.8 eq.ha(-1) per year) from the atmosphere were calculated for both wet and dry deposition in Agra region of India. Seven sampling sites located at Bichpuri, Bah, Fatehabad, Shamsabad, Nunhai, Dayalbagh, and St. John's College were used. The values for critical load of sulphur and nitrogen for soil with respect to Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and Black siris (Albizzia odoratissima) were calculated. The methodology employed involved the steady state mass balance (SSMB) method. The values of actual acidity were compared with the RAINS-Asia model. On comparing the acidity, it was found that the values computed by RAINS-Asia model are higher for this area. Copyright 2003 Elsevier B.V.