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Decades of dumping acid suggest acid rain may make trees thirstier

Acidified soil loses calcium, which helps plants retain water

Fenrow Experimental Forest

DROPPING ACID  The U.S. Forest Service has been dousing the Fernow Experimental Forest (shown) near Parsons, W.Va., with acidifying chemicals since 1989 to simulate acid rain. The results suggest acidification may make trees thirstier.

M. Lanning

By Carolyn Wilke

- More than 2 years ago

A forest watered by acid rain may be less able to slake its thirst.