Northeast still high in acid in waters, soil A new study of results of anti-pollution measures indicates acid rain's effects are slow to dissipate. Although acid rain has decreased in the 30 years since Congress tightened air pollution standards, a new study shows that acid levels remain stubbornly high in Northeast lakes and soil. The levels suggest that acid rain dissipates more slowly than expected.
Scientists pay attention to high acidity because it can kill fish, frogs and trees.
The issue is a source of conflict because acid rain is created by coal-burning power plants that generate half the country's electricity. The study, prepared by the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation in New Hampshire, reviewed and compiled results from numerous other studies. It is billed as the first comprehensive look at results of the 1970 Clean Air Act and 1990 changes that ordered further reductions in sulfur dioxide emissions. Acidic lakes lose recreational fish such as Atlantic salmon, tiger trout, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, tiger musky, walleye, alewife and kokanee. As acid runoff moves through the soil, calcium and magnesium are leaching out faster to neutralize the acid, harming trees such as red spruce and sugar maple that rely on those metals.