Evaluation of the effects of acid precipitation in eastern Canada using the raison system.

Evaluations have been made of the key chemical factors in the aquatic effects upon surface waters due to acidic precipitation in eastern Canada. The region of Canada east of the Manitoba/Ontario border was divided into 22 aggregates and assessments of inorganic and organic ion chemistry appraised relative to sulphate deposition rates and distributions. Aquatic sensitivity is largely dominated by the concentration, distribution and magnitude of SO inf4 (sup2-) (sulphate) deposition and by the prevalent geology and derived soils found in each aggregate. The RAISON system provided an adaptable and highly flexible platform to evaluate interactively, multiple data sets of divergent characteristics. Attributes usually associated with geographical information systems are significantly augmented by quantitative numerical and stochastic capabilities that were used extensively in this study.