MANY of Japan鈥檚 lakes and marshes will turn acidic within 30 years,
seriously affecting animal and plant habitats, according to a report by the
Japanese Environment Agency. The study reveals that despite stringent pollution
controls, rainfall over Japan now has a pH value of between 4.4 and
5.4, making it as acidic as rain over parts of Europe and the US.
Government scientists claim that much of the acidity is caused by pollution
from coal-fired power stations in China (鈥淩aining acid on Asia鈥�, New
杏吧原创, 15 February, p 16).