Author(s)

J.G. Irwin & K. Vincent

Abstract

Trends in rural sulphur dioxide concentrations in the United Kingdom J.G. IrW & K. Vincent* National Centre for Risk Analysis and Options Appraisal, Environment Agency, London, England ~ National Environmental Technology Centre, Culham Laboratory, England Abstract Emissions of sulphur dioxide in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe have declined markedly over the last two decades in line with a succession of international agreements. Over the area covered by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe's Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Programme, total SO: emissions fell from 59 Tg in 1980 to 27 Tg in 1997. In the United Kingdom, emissions fell from 6.4 Tg in 1970 to 1.2 Tg in 1999. Measurements of rural SO% concentrations provide an opportunity to investigate the efficacy of these policy measures in improving air quality and reducing dry sulphur deposition. Concentrations have been mapped and show a dramatic decrease in major source areas, with sma

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