The study is focused on the river basin of the upper Elbe: and especially o
n the highly polluted area of northwestern Bohemia which is a part of the s
o-called Black Triangle area. A ten-year data set (1989-1998) of sulphur em
issions, ambient air quality, atmospheric deposition and surface run-off ha
s been evaluated. Substantial sulphur downward trend has been stated both f
or emissions and deposition which correlate well together. Relations betwee
n surface run-off and total deposition are discussed. Run-off chemistry of
individual river basins is influenced by sulphur deposition and weathering
of sulphur-rich heaps of lignite mines to a different degree. The ambient a
ir quality has been improved in the Czech Republic, ambient air sulphur dio
xide concentrations dropped and the total sulphur deposition has decreased
to 50% of its value in 1989. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese
rved.