Fog in the mountains may be a poetic sight for the artistic minded, but scientists now see danger behind its beauty.

According to a professor of Life Sciences, mountain fogs in Shitou, the famous tourist spot in mid-Taiwan, is unusually acidic, posing a threat to the forest ecosystem. But further research is needed before their impact on human health can be assessed.

This sunny hill begins to see fog gather in an instant and as one climbs up this slope, one becomes totally enveloped in it.

This green forest is a misty wonderland, and those that come to the mountains find it very romantic.

In the forest, fog has a more practical function as experts point out that fog brings moisture bringing trees a very important source of nutrients.

This close relationship also includes an invisible threat. Various studies have shown that medium sized mountains experience fog that is acidic in nature.

This affects areas such as Yangmingshan in Taipei and Ilan's Chilan Shan and Nantou's Shito mountainous area which all have fog that contains sulfate and nitrate content that is quite high in some places.

The PH value of this fog can be around 3-4 which is even more acidic than acid rain.

Scholars say that this acid fog can result in the leaching of positive ions making forests waker and unable to resist droughts and pests.

As for people, and Shito's 300 days of fog each year, if you just come here to play, experts say there is little risk.

Still, how we reduce air pollution,to prevent contaminants from migrating into the mountains and remaining in the fog is an urgent issue that needs to be resolved.

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