Potentially acidifying emissions

This indicator shows the course of the potentially acidifying emissions in Flanders. Emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx, expressed as NO2) and ammonia (NH3) are counted together to the sum of potentially acidifying emissions. That sum is expressed in acid equivalents (Zeq), taking into account the acid-forming capacity of each substance. The term potentially acidifying emission is used because the current acidification also depends heavily on the processes that take place on the trajectory between emission and deposition and on the various processes in the soil and (surface) water. In addition to their role as potentially acidifying substance, NH3, NOx and SO2 also play a role in the formation of secondary particulate matter through aerosol formation. NOx is an ozone precursor and NH3 and NOx have a fertilising effect.