This book looks at the sources and composition of the atmosphere and rainfall, with particular attention on acidifying components and those that affect ecosystems. It further widens the subject to look at trace metals. It includes papers on the impact of deposition on soils and forests and the recovery of the natural environment. Work on critical loads makes a contribution to understanding the degree to which deposition must be reduced to limit its impact.

Acid rain is still with us. Although it is a problem that people have worked diligently to solve, there are still many problem areas throughout the world. In reality the focus of acid rain research has shifted, and this book adds new vision to the topic. It contains papers, selected from Acid Rain 2005, the 7^th International Conference on Acid Deposition, that take a broad perspective of the issues, emphasizing a number of themes:

-        the emission, concentration and deposition of pollutants

-        nitrogen and trace elements in ecosystems and their effects on forests, water and soil

-        studies of material damage and recovery

-       critical loads

The book is aimed at scientists and researchers who are working in the area of acid rain and its effects, and on nutrient cycling. This latest research will be of value to those concerned with the mitigation of acid rain effects. 

Reprinted from Water, Air, & Soil Pollution: Focus, Volume 7, Issues 1-3, 2007.