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?
This is a very interesting article, Aaron. The topic of acid rain fascinates me because there is so much to know about it. It is good to know that pollution that causes acid rain such as sulfur dioxide has decreased 76%, and nitrogen dioxide has reduced 48% because it means we are making progress. It is important for us to seek the source and reduce the amount of pollution produces so that the emissions do not enter the atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteTo answer question 1:
Acid rain harms the atmosphere because gas and factory emissions enter it and pollute it, causing acid rain. Acid rain harms the lithosphere because rain can weaken the earth and makes the ground quality poor.
Expansion: Here is a good article that explains the effects of acid rain. http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/
Cool picture; it goes with your blog! I did not know that sculptures can be ruined by acid rain and that the calcite material that predominates it quickly erodes and is dissolved by acid rain. Acid rain is a subject that I always have been curious about. I remember discussing and learning about it in environmental science class. I cannot wait to study more about it. When fossil fuels are burned, they release oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. When the oxide combines with water, they form acid and nitric acid which fall as precipitation. I feel as though this is very important to know. The lower the pH number is the more acidic a substance is and the higher the pH number is the more basic a substance is. Did you know an increase in acid is called acidification? Acid rain can unfortunately cause many bad effects which is why it is important for us to seek the source and stop it. It can change the balance of soil. Some nutrients of soil dissolve and wash away. It can also cause aluminum and other toxic metals to be released or absorbed in animals, killing fish and in plants, damaging their roots. Sulfuric acid in water vapor clogs the openings on the surface of plants. Many ecosystems have been destroyed, which is so sad! I am glad humans are not directly affected by acid rain; however the pollution that causes it does affect us. These air pollutants can cause health problems and death, which is terrible. I hope the Clean Water Act continues to protect the atmosphere from pollution that industries and companies create. I agree that we can save the Earth from further contamination, by carefully checking how much pollution is released into the air daily and reducing it. I guess were making progress because sulfur dioxide has decreased by about 76% which is a lot and nitrogen dioxide has decreased by 48% which is a little over a half. It is a good start.
ReplyDeleteTo answer one of your questions:
http://www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/acid_rain.shtml
It may seem like there is not much that one individual can do to stop acid deposition, but there is. Each person can contribute directly by conserving energy, since energy production causes the largest portion of the acid deposition problem. One can also help by using energy efficient appliances! By carpooling, walking or bicycling whenever possible, as well. Buying vehicles with low NOx emissions will make a big difference too. One can use alternative energy sources besides fossil fuels like solar or wind power which have many other benefits. Acid deposition can deeply affect an ecosystem. If too many changes were done in the ecosystem, it can take years for it to recover. However, people can add limestone or lime to acidic lakes to take out the acidity. You can let students know about acid rain by teaching them about this topic in schools and discussing it in science programs. Libraries can “advertise” books about acid rain. Tour guides should indicate, if a sculpture was damaged by acid rain to get people thinking. Lectures and events could even be held so the public can understand the importance of this matter.