Wassersäuerung

Wassersäuerung, also known as water acidification, refers to the process by which the pH of water decreases, making it more acidic. This can occur naturally through geological processes or, more commonly, due to anthropogenic activities.

Natural sources of water acidification can include the dissolution of acidic minerals or gases from the atmosphere and soil into water bodies. However, the most significant and widespread cause of modern Wassersäuerung is acid rain. Acid rain is formed when atmospheric pollutants, primarily sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids then fall to the Earth's surface in precipitation, as dry deposition, or as fog.

The consequences of Wassersäuerung can be severe for aquatic ecosystems. As water becomes more acidic, it can harm or kill fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and aquatic plants. The ability of organisms to reproduce and survive is often compromised. Acidification can also leach toxic metals, such as aluminum, from soils into water, further endangering aquatic life. Beyond ecological impacts, Wassersäuerung can damage infrastructure through corrosion and affect the potability of drinking water. Efforts to mitigate Wassersäuerung primarily focus on reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from industrial sources and vehicles.