1999 Wollastonite Experiment Aims to Restore Acid-Rain Damaged Forests in New Hampshire

In 1999, scientists dropped 45 tons of wollastonite over a 29-acre New Hampshire watershed

In an ambitious forest restoration initiative in New Hampshire, researchers sought to mitigate the effects of acid rain. They introduced calcium-rich minerals, leading to an initial boost in tree vitality and growth. However, this solution inadvertently resulted in a staggering increase in nitrogen levels in nearby streams, releasing thirty times more inorganic nitrogen compared to untreated regions. This outcome underscores the intricate dynamics of ecosystems in response to human intervention.

By TOI Science Desk