The Effects of Air Pollution: Acid Rain
by David Chandler, Demand Media, March 2011
This Gargoyle has been damaged from acid rain.
Acid rain is caused by natural deposits of sulfuric and nitric acids that occur in the atmosphere, however, recently much attention has been given to human causes of this type of pollution. Coal power plants give off tons of carbon emissions and other pollution into the air every year. These emissions rise into the air and mix with moisture in the air, which becomes acid rain in the process of precipitation. This rain pollutes water systems and kills fish and other plants. Acid rain can also destroy forest ecosystems, when it kills the leaves off of trees. It pollutes the soil and releases toxins into the roots of trees. Like the picture above, stone and building sculptures can be easily destroyed by acid rain. The calcite material that predominates these structures is quickly eroded and dissolved by acid rain. Finally, acid rain does not have any direct affect on humans, however the pollution that causes it does. These air pollutants cause respiratory illnesses, heart illnesses, and other painful symptoms that are unpleasant for anyone. In some cases, these pollutants can even be responsible for death.
This source shows us that air pollution is not strictly limited to the air. The atmosphere is just another part of Earth, but is directly connected to the surface. If we are to save the Earth from further contamination, we need to thoroughly check how much pollution is released into the air each year, and reduce it. If we fail to do this, symptoms such as acid rain will continue to occur. Fortunately, measures such as the Clean Air Act help protect the atmosphere from pollution that industry releases. According to the EPA, between 1980 and 2009, pollution that causes acid rain such as sulfur dioxide has decreased 76%, and nitrogen dioxide has reduced 48%. This is a great start! I am glad that I found this article, for I want to be a part of helping reduce pollutions even further. I hope to learn more in class, because I find it to be very important. We, the youth, must be a part of this issue.
1. How does Acid Rain harm both the atmosphere and the lithosphere?
2. What other EPA laws could possibly play into acid rain depletion?
3. How can you help to reduce acid rain? How can you let others know about it?
4. Do we have an acid rain problem in our community?