Effects of reduced S deposition on large-scale transport of sulphur in Swedish rivers

Sulphur deposition has diminished by about half during the last decade. For Sweden consistent estimates of total deposition are available for 1991, an d 1994-97. Based on these estimates and using GIS the deposition for large drainage areas during one decade are calculated. These values are compared with the measured S transport in rivers covering about 85% of the Swedish t erritory, thus enabling the construction of a S budget for Sweden. The majo rity of the drainage areas have a net loss of S, which can be attributed to desorption of S in the soil. During the period of high deposition in the 1 980:s (> 60 meq m(-2) yr(-1) in southern Sweden) S was adsorbed, and retard ed acidification. There still seems to be some S-adsorption in the northern parts of the country, where the deposition is less (now < 20 meq m(-2) yr( -1)).