CRITICAL LOADS OF ACIDITY TO SURFACE WATERS - SVALBARD

Water samples were analysed from 162 sites in Svalbard and Bear Island . A precipitation map for Svalbard was prepared. Critical loads are de scribed as the highest loads of pollutants that will not lead to long- term, harmful effects on biological systems. Critical loads and exceed ance of critical loads for input of strong acids to surface waters at Svalbard were calculated according to equations modified to fit the de position conditions of the islands. Maps of critical loads and exceeda nce of critical loads were made for inputs of strong acids. Twelve per cent of the ice-free area of mainly northern Svalbard has very low cri tical loads of acidity (< 25 kequiv./km(2)/year), whereas 67% of Svalb ard is well protected against acidic precipitation (critical load of a cidity > 100 kequiv./km(2)/year). A minor exceedance of critical load was recorded in 5% of the ice-free area of Svalbard, and only in the n orthern parts.