Deposition of air pollutants

Air pollutants can be transported over long distances in the atmosphere and subsequently deposited into ecosystems. This transfer of air pollutants from the atmosphere to the ground is called deposition. Air pollutants can thus have direct negative effects, e.g. on plants. However, their deposition into ecosystems can also lead to indirect harmful effects on soils, plants, and animal organisms, which are primarily caused through chemical reactions in the soil. For near-natural terrestrial ecosystems, pollutant deposition via the atmosphere often represents the most significant source of pollution.