ACID RAIN

Impacts of Acid Rain on Soils

2012-01-14T17:57:00.000-08:00

Introduction
Soil is the basis of wealth upon which all land-based life depends.
The damage that occurs to ecosystems from acidic deposition is dependent on the buffering ability of that ecosystem. This buffering ability is dependent on a number of factors, the two major ones being soil chemistry and the inherent ecosystem sensitivity to acidification. Indirect damage to ecosystems is largely caused by changes in the soil chemistry. Increasing soil acidity can affect micro-organisms which break down organic matter into nutrient form for plants to take up. Increasing soil acidity also allows aluminium (a common constituent of soil minerals) to come into solution. In its free organic form, aluminium is toxic to plant roots and can lock up phosphate, thereby reducing the concentrations of this important plant nutrient.

What Effect Does the Soil and Underlying Bedrock Have on Acid Rain?
Soils containing calcium and limestone are more able to neutralise sulphuric and nitric acid depositions than a thin layer of sand or gravel with a granite base.
If the soil is rich in limestone or if the underlying bedrock is either composed of limestone or marble, then the acid rain may be neutralised. This is because limestone and marble are more alkaline (basic) and produce a higher pH when dissolved in water. The higher pH of these materials dissolved in water offsets or buffers the acidity of the rainwater producing a more neutral pH.

Acid Sensitive Areas
In regions where the soil is not rich in limestone or if the bedrock is not composed of limestone or marble, then no neutralising effect takes place, and the acid rainwater accumulates in the bodies of water in the area. This applies to much of the north-eastern United States where the bedrock is typically composed of granite. Granite has no neutralising effect on acid rainwater. Therefore over time more and more acid precipitation accumulates in lakes and ponds.
The water bodies most susceptible to change due to acid precipitation are those whose catchments have shallow soil cover and poorly weathering bedrock, for example granite and quartzite. These soil types are characterised by the absence of carbonates that could neutralise acidity. The run-off water from such areas is less buffered than from areas such as limestone catchments, with an adequate level of carbonate. Such catchments and waters are termed acid-sensitive (poorly buffered), and can suffer serious ecological damage due to artificially acidified precipitation from air masses downwind of major emissions.

Notable high-risk areas in Canada and the United States are the Canadian Shield, the Adirondack Mountains, the Laurentians, the Appalachians, and the Green Mountains of Vermont. These areas are vulnerable because of their high elevations, small watersheds, and naturally acidic soils. Different types of bedrock contain variable amounts of alkaline chemicals. Regions with bedrock containing less alkali have a lower capacity for reducing acidity, and thus are more sensitive to acid deposition.

Effects of soil on vegetation
When acid rain falls, it can affect forests as well as lakes and rivers. To grow, trees need healthy soil to develop in. Acid rain is absorbed into the soil making it virtually impossible for these trees to survive. As a result of this, trees are more susceptible to viruses, fungi and insect pests.
Long-term changes in the chemistry of some sensitive soils may have already occurred as a result of acid rain. As acid rain moves through the soils, it can strip away vital plant nutrients through chemical reactions, thus posing a potential threat to future forest productivity.
Poisonous metals such as aluminium, cadmium and mercury, are leached from soils through reacting with acids. This happens because these metals are bound to the soil under normal conditions, but the added dissolving action of hydrogen ions causes rocks and small-bound soil particles to break down.

Plant life in areas where acid rain is common may grow more slowly or die as a result of soil acidification. In the Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the United States 50% of the red spruce have died in the past 25 years. There has also been noted a reduced amount of growth in existing trees as measured by the size of growth rings of the trees in these areas.

These effects occur because acid rain leaches many of the existing soil nutrients from the soil. The number of micro-organisms present in the soil also decreases as the soil becomes more acidic. This further depletes the amount of nutrients available to plant life because the micro-organisms play an important role in releasing nutrients from decaying organic material. In addition, the roots of plants trying to survive in acidic soil may be damaged directly by the acids present. Finally, if the plant life does not die from these effects, then it may be weakened enough so that it will be more susceptible to disease or other harsh environmental influences like cold winters or high winds.

Critical Loads
Environmental response to pollutants depends on many factors. Some regions cope with acidification better than others, having larger 'critical loads'. Critical load refers to the greatest assault that an ecological system can withstand before showing measurable degradation.
Scientists determine critical load by examining rock and soil type, land use and rainfall. If soil is fertile with a pH greater than 4.5, and rainfall is relatively low, the critical load will be high. The terrain can withstand moderately large additions of acidity without undue suffering. Conversely, in low pH soils, acidification mobilises toxic aluminium ions. If coniferous forests predominate, or if land is devoted to rough grazing, the result is a low critical load. Even minor acid deposition is undesirable.

There are very few long-term UK monitoring studies of soil acidification and none of soil biota. Chemical data are available from a few specific sites, from a small number of regional studies and from three national studies. From the limited information available, the National Expert Group on Transboundary Pollution has concluded that there is evidence that acid deposition has resulted in widespread acidification of acid sensitive soils in the UK. Further critical loads modelling research suggests that soil recovery from acidification may take many years or even decades.

What Are the Effects of Sulfuric Acid?

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Most of the effects of sulfuric acid result from its strong acidity and its great affinity for water. Corrosion of metals by sulfuric acid is caused by its acidity. The effects of sulfuric acid on organic materials, including human tissue, are largely the result of its dehydrating properties. Materials such as wood, paper and cotton cloth are rapidly charred on contact with the acid.

The effects of sulfuric acid on metals are typical of a strong acid: it will react with those metals that are more reactive than hydrogen to form a metal sulfate salt and release hydrogen gas. It will react in this way with many common metals, including iron, zinc and aluminum. The reaction is more vigorous with the dilute acid than with the concentrated acid. This limits the materials that can be used to store the acid, although in concentrated form it can be stored in stainless steel tanks. The release of hydrogen gas poses a potential explosion risk in the event of a spillage or leak, if the acid comes into contact with metals.

Sulfuric acid is a very powerful dehydrating agent and a great deal of heat is released when the concentrated acid comes into contact with water. If water is added to an excess of the acid, the heat produced causes the water to boil immediately, which may result in the acid being sprayed over a wide area. For this reason, concentrated sulfuric acid should always be diluted by adding it — slowly — to water; the process should never be reversed.

The dehydrating effects of sulfuric acid explain its reactions with many common organic materials. It will remove hydrogen and oxygen from molecules that contain these elements in the 2:1 ratio found in the water molecule (H2O) — for example, carbohydrates — which include sugars, starch and cellulose. Sulfuric acid will react with carbohydrates to remove the hydrogen and oxygen, leaving behind carbon. A well known laboratory demonstration illustrates this; concentrated sulfuric acid is added to sucrose table sugar in a beaker and quickly converts it to a mass of charcoal, with a good deal of heat produced. This is the reason that sulfuric acid chars wood and paper — substances which consist mainly of carbohydrates.

The effects of sulfuric acid on skin are well documented, and are again due to the acid’s dehydrating properties rather than its acidity. Skin contact with the concentrated acid results in pain and swelling of tissue within a few seconds. If contact is sufficiently prolonged, deep burns can result and there may be some charring, resulting in a brown discoloration. Due to the swelling caused, sulfuric acid burns often result in permanent scarring.

When using sulfuric acid, suitable protective gloves and safety goggles should always be worn; a face shield and protective apron are also recommended. Small spillages onto unprotected skin can be dealt with by prompt washing with plenty of water. Larger spillages pose the risk of spraying of acid if water is applied immediately — it is better to quickly wipe away as much of the acid as possible before washing.

Sulfuric acid is not volatile at room temperature and so does not normally pose an inhalation hazard; however, in the event this acid or its industrial precursor, sulfur trioxide comes into contact with water, the violence of the reaction may produce a fine mist of sulfuric acid droplets. This can damage the eyes, respiratory tract and lungs if inhaled. Chronic exposure to sulfuric acid mist — for example, in a sulfuric acid plant — can have long-term health effects and may pose a cancer risk for workers.

Reactions of sulfuric acid with other materials may result in hazardous products. It will, for example, release toxic and corrosive vapors on contact with halides, such as chlorides, fluorides and bromides. Contact with chlorates and permanganates produces strongly oxidizing compounds that pose a fire or explosion risk.

What Is the Connection Between Acid Rain and Sulfuric Acid?

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Acid rain is a type of rain that is more acidic than usual. Although the extra acid can come from volcanic gases and rotting vegetation, man-made sources can add acid to rain when fossil fuels are burnt and release certain gases into the air. Acid rain and sulfuric acid are closely intertwined, as sulfuric acid makes up the majority of the acidic component of rainwater.

Sulfuric acid is a molecule that has two hydrogen atoms, one sulfur atom and four oxygen atoms. This gives the acid the chemical formula of H2SO4. This substance is present in acid rain, although not exactly in that form. Powerful acids like sulfuric acid tend to mix in readily with water molecules, and breaks up into two parts when in the water.

These segments are a hydrogen atom, and the rest of the molecule, which now is HSO4. The hydrogen atom is positively charged when it falls off the initial acid molecule, so it is a positive ion. As most chemicals are balanced in charge, the other portion of the sulfuric acid molecule is negatively charged. pH, which is a measure of acidity, assigns acid values to substances based on how many hydrogen ions it contains. Acid rain and sulfuric acid therefore become more acidic the more hydrogen ions are present.

Before the sulfur compound even gets into the rain, it has to get into the atmosphere. This happens because gases that contains sulfur can float up in the air. Natural sources of these gases, which are hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, are emissions from volcanoes, or gas produced by rotting plant matter, respectively.

Hydrogen sulfide has the chemical formula H2S, which means that it has two hydrogen atoms and one sulfur atom. This particular sulfur gas reacts with the oxygen already in the air, and turns into sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide, from H2S reactions, or from volcanic emissions, is a less complex molecule than when it becomes an acid, as it only contains two oxygen atoms and one sulfur atom.

Chemically, sulfur dioxide is represented by SO2. Most of this gas in the earth's atmosphere is from human activity. Primarily, this comes from the heat breakdown of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are a form of decayed plant matter, which has turned into coal, oil or gas over millions of years. Electrical power stations make the most, but industry, home heating and car emissions can also contribute.

This gas floats up in the air and mixes with the droplets of water in rain clouds. The SO2 turns to SO3, from interaction with atmospheric oxygen, before mixing with the water in the cloud. Water, which contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen, reacts with the SO3 to form H2SO4, which is sulfuric acid.

When acid rain and sulfuric acid fall to earth, the low pH can be damaging to organisms and inanimate objects. Watercourses that receive too much acid rain and sulfuric acid can become unhealthy places for fish and plants to live in. Construction materials like marble can become slowly eroded by the acid. Generally, even normal rainfall can have an acidic pH, which is about 5.6. Rain that has a pH of less than this, such as 3.0, is regarded as acid rain, and may be a sign of local pollution.

What Are Sulfur Emissions?

2012-01-14T17:53:00.001-08:00

Sulfur emissions are gasses released into the atmosphere by power plants, factories, and motor vehicles. The primary component of these emissions is the chemical, sulfur dioxide, a colorless, nonflammable compound used in various industrial procedures, though it is also produced naturally by volcanoes. It is extremely irritating to humans, whether in gas or liquid form.

Sulfur dioxide is often used in wine making as an insecticide, a preservative, and as an anti-microbial disinfectant. It is also used as a dried fruit preservative, a refrigerant, a reduction or bleaching agent, a laboratory solvent, and in the production of sulfuric acid. Since sulfur dioxide is toxic in large quantities, it should always be handled by a professional, such as a doctor, scientist, or laboratory technician. If directed to use it within a classroom setting, a student should follow his or her professor's directions closely, when handling this potentially dangerous substance.

The combustion of petroleum and coal creates sulfur emissions, as they typically contain sulfur compounds. Since these compounds oxidize within the atmosphere, they can also react with water, creating acid rain. Both of these chemical reactions have been cause for health concerns, as their by-products are considered strong pollutants. They have been linked to heart attacks, asthma, and many other respiratory problems. Premature death has even been attributed to sulfur emissions.

These emissions have a strong environmental impact. The dark haze over many cities is often caused, in part, by sulfur emissions. The acid rain produced during chemical reactions between sulfur dioxide and water has been known to damage various ecosystems, including forests and farmlands. Some experts even warn that sulfur emissions are a greater danger than carbon emissions.

Some scientists claim that in a matter of weeks most of the sulfur in the atmosphere could essentially be eliminated by simply switching off all power plants. However, since the majority of emissions result from burning coal to produce electricity for human use, this solution is more difficult to implement than it seems. Nevertheless, scientists, in cooperation with governments worldwide, continue to work toward solving the problems that sulfur emissions create. Some proposed solutions include flue gas desulfurization, or chemically binding sulfur dioxide within power plants, using ferox as a fuel additive to lower emissions, and developing alternative energy sources, such as solar power.

What Are the Best Acid Rain Solutions?

2012-01-14T17:50:00.000-08:00

Acid rain solutions focus on both prevention, and on helping to deal with the environmental ramifications once the acid rain does take place. So little can be done after the fact to improve the environment that the best acid rain solutions often focus on making sure it never happens in the first place. To do this, it is first necessary to identify the causes of acid rain together with processes that can be changed to aid in prevention.

Acid rain is caused by sulfur emissions, which are put into the air through the burning of coal, often used for energy. Other sources of sulfur in the atmosphere include volcanoes and decomposing vegetation. Despite the fact these natural sources do exist, it is generally agreed that anthropogenic causes are the main sources of acid rain. This may make acid rain solutions easier to identify simply because if humans have caused it, then logically they should have the ability to change it.

The best acid rain solutions focus on power plants and coal used in the production of energy. Technologies exist that can remove sulfur from the emissions coming out of coal plant. Low-sulfur varieties of coal can also be used to reduce sulfur emissions. Often, a combination of these acid rain solutions provides the best way to minimize the problem.

The installation of scrubbers can help prevent as much as 95 percent of sulfur emitted by a carbon -fired electric power plant. The scrubbers work by spraying water with lime through the gas emission produced from burning the coal. The lime interacts with the sulfur dioxide, creating a sludge that is then captured and stored. The problem with this method is that retrofitting existing power plants with the technology is usually very expensive. It is cheaper if the technology is installed as the power plant is being built, and the inclusion of the technology is now required in many countries when new power plants are erected.

Some forms of coal naturally have lower sulfur than other forms. In the United States, coal higher in sulfur often comes from the eastern portion of the country, whereas low-sulfur coal is found mainly in the West, in states such as Wyoming and Montana. This solution has the ability to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 50 percent or more, but is not without is disadvantages. The main disadvantage mentioned is the higher transportation costs of the coal to plants in the eastern portion of the country, and the loss of jobs resulting from the reduced demand for coal from the eastern United States.

A Great Demand For Water Pollution Solutions Necessary For Survival

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The high demand for water pollution solutions increases as the threat to the survival of this generation as we know it is increasing, due to increasing toxic waste in water and the pollution levels in our environment.

Because of this, people are now becoming more aware of the importance of take care of our resources. Not only would the failure of this have a devastating effect on our future generations, it could also effect their ability to survive at all.

How to Stop Water Pollution
One of our most valuable resources is water, in the absence of this or the air, we couldnt survive.
Toxins such as industrial waste and raw sewage and run-off pollution continue to cause enormous damage all waterways.

The Clean Water Act of 1972, helped clean up by improving water that would have been otherwise unfit for human consumption.

unfortunately a great deal damage to the all rivers still result in loss of wildlife impaired functioning of ecosystems, and increasingly perilous human health threats.

Fresh water pollution in the case of river pollution, especially the run-off, which is generated by all of us and the solution to improving this, requires the help of all citizens.

It is not productive to always rely on our federal, state, provincial or local governments to effectively police all of our water resources.

They simply cannot free enough resources to watch over the amount of lakes, ponds, and rivers.

It is each of our civic duties to report activities of others who are polluting our water resources.

Daily air pollution is in our face and surrounds us as we breathe it in everyday.

The main cause of air pollution is by the burning of fossil fuels in our cars, industries and the emissions of toxic chemicals in manufacturing processes, these account for most of the pollution released into our air, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, ash, benzene, smoke, and soot, just to name a few.
Some of the more visible poisons accumulating in our atmosphere may present in the form of Smog or acid rain.
It is hopeful that with the right monitoring and regulation, that we can decrease the amount of pollutants in the air.

The 1980s the elimination of the use of leaded gasoline lowered the lead emissions in our air by 90%.

Filters are used to eliminate dark clouds, smog and smoke from the air in order to clean it.

It can not be stressed enough the importance of each of us becoming the eyes and ears for our government officials.

Uncontrolled and unsustainable development continues to threaten biodiversity.

Modern urbanization, pesticides, timber production and hazardous wastes being dumped and pumped into the land has crucially altered the natural landscape of our Earth.

With no practice of responsible urban planning and development or the designations of critical habitats or the preservation of endangered species and alleviation of agricultural and industrial actives that poison and erode the soil; the widespread habitat loss and species extinction will continue.

If you find someone or something polluting water, you should report it to the right people.
Bear in mind, its our future generations that count on, and their hope for health depend on our actions today, in order to sustain potable drinking water and clean fresh air to breathe.

Acid Is Falling From The Sky

2012-01-14T17:40:00.000-08:00

The phenomenon of acid rain is caused by rain drops that contain pollutants like oxide from sulfur and nitrogen. This deadly combination generates acid in the droplets of rain. This gives acid rain its sour taste. The main causes of these pollutants are created by man: cars and industrial and power plants. The areas with the highest density of cars and plants have the highest chance of acid rain. The creation of acid rain also depends on the weather of that particular area. Strong winds will carry acid rains miles away thus polluting greater areas. When water is mixed with these gases and oxygen in the atmosphere, acid rain is generated. In warmer and sunnier climates, the reaction is intensified.

Canada has a high level of acid rain compared to many areas. All elements to create acid rains are united: car exhausts, the climate and pollution from industries. Canadian forests are starting to show the effects of acid rains. Both trees and animals show damages. Plants and animals have a hard time surviving in some areas.
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For years, there has been talks and concerns about acid rain. The Clean Air Act of 1975 was written in this purpose. It was intended to regulate emissions of pollutants from cars being put into the air. It also was aimed to regulate the pollution levels put out be factories. One can seriously question though if the act is being respected and implemented.

It is an accepted fact that acid rain is caused by pollution. Pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide tend to stay in the atmosphere and react with the humidity in the air. When this polluted moisture falls to the ground, acid rain is created. Industrial pollution is the major cause of acid rain. The biggest causes of acid rain are cars and big industries. This acid rain created by man himself has proven very damaging to the environment every day. There is an immediate need to find better solutions to acid rain creation and reverse the damages done to nature.

There are a lot of interesting web sites and forums where a person can contribute and help stop manmade pollution. It is in our best interests to slow down and eventually stop acid rain.

Acid Rain: A Problem Which Concerns Us All

2012-01-14T17:39:00.000-08:00

The United States and Canada suffer greatly from acid rain because of the inability of the soil to neutralize the acidity naturally, lacking alkalinity. The soil of Canada is in a great part made of rock which does not help to neutralize acid rain. The damages caused by acid rain continue in part to the lack of a natural ability to cleanse itself. One solution then is to diminish the creation and emission of acid rain.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has been commissioned to achieve sufficient environmental health conditions for everyone. They have the mission of reducing the emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, two major of pollutants found in acid rain. This change will not come at a low price. The cost is so big that the government and businesses will need to work together to accomplish it. More accessible and rapid changes include cleaning out smoke stacks and exhaust pipes. Researches are being done to achieve better energy saving and finding alternative energy sources to reduce acid rain. Such alternate energy sources would be: Nuclear power, wind power, and solar energy. Everyone can start doing its little contribution by turning down their thermostat, car polling, making certain their car complies with emissions regulations, etc.

The only way the emission of acid rain will be achieved is from an international agreement. In 1984, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney made a plea to the United States Congress to help reduce the emissions from industries throughout the nation. The Unites States and Canada have been working together in a joint venture effort. In 1991, they both signed the Acid Rain Agreement. Both have agreed to accept responsibility for acid rain and continue to seek valuable solutions.

One of the ways to reduce acid rain is for the manufacturers to reduce the amount of pollutants by cleaning coal before burning it. Sulfur is greatly reduced if not eliminated by cleaning and crushing the coal. This process is expensive and takes long. Companies will need to play their part if they want to diminish acid rain. It is the role of our governments to make certain the rules and laws to reduce acid rain are respected.

In areas where acid rain is prevalent, respiratory problems are more common. People present with more asthma, dry cough, headaches, and irritations in the eyes, nose, and throat. As a result of great health concerns, the United States and Canada signed the Air Quality Agreement in 1991. The purpose of the agreement is to reduce the effects of acid rain. It will require an every day effort to change our polluting habits and come to a solution to acid rain.

Acid Rain Pollution

2012-01-14T17:38:00.001-08:00

Acid rain has been a preoccupation since 1966 in the scientific community. Scientists finally could describe and explain the phenomenon. Acid rain was not a random problem anymore. More surprising was evidence that man himself was causing this menace to nature. The focus was now on trying to stop it. Acid rain is a worldwide problem. Countries with higher pollution emission are more affected. We only recently realized the great danger of acid rain. Its effects on nature are more and more obvious.

Acid rain has generated a very slow response in the beginning. Nowadays, as people realize the devastating effects of acid rain on animals and plants, their reaction is one of concern. By showing evidence of animals that died from a direct result of acid rain, scientists started getting some attention. The first reaction from the general public was to blame the big manufacturers for acid rain. We now know that a lot of our daily gestures are contributing factors to acid rain.

Manufacturers, after being pressured by governments in place, started complying to rules and regulations designed to reduce acid rain. This way, they focused on reducing their sulfur emissions, a major cause of acid rain. They also accepted to install filters to reduce the liberation of polluting gases in the atmosphere. These gases are forced to penetrate a tube full of lime and water. The interaction of the sulfur gas with the lime results in calcium sulfate being produced. Industries are then faced with a second problem: how do they get rid of the calcium sulfate that is created? This solution is only one being studied and has proven to be time consuming and rather expensive.

We are experiencing a rapid increase in the level of acid rain and major changes need to be undertaken right away. The rise in the level of acid rain in some areas can be as much as 70% above normal levels. These higher levels of acid rain have proven to be very harmful to the environment. Man, is too, affected by the increased level of acid rain and the rate of respiratory problems is concerning in areas where acid rain is predominant. In nature, forests, trees, lakes, animals, and plants also suffer greatly from the ravage of acid rain.

Winds have the power to carry sulfur dioxide miles away thus spreading the areas where acid rain causes problems. Since man cannot control wind, the only viable solution is to lower the emission of such pollutants as sulfur dioxide.

Acid rain is a serious threat to man and his environment and only a constant and serious effort will prove successful. Many rules and regulations have been passed in that direction. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure they are respected.

Acid Rain - Its Causes And Effects

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As we all know, acid rain have harmful effects on vegetation, animals and humans. Acid rain is caused by too much pollution that contaminates the rain water. Before, rain is believed to be pure and said to contain minerals that are good for the hair and skin, but now, rain water can already cause diseases. This article will give you information on what is acid rain and what are its effects in the environment.

Too much nitrogen oxide, carbon, and ammonium can mix with water droplets in the atmosphere causing the water's pH level to go below 7 making it acidic. This is the cause of acid rain. Acidic water can be harmful to all living things on the ground.

One of the things that can suffer the harsh effect of acid rain is the vegetation. Microscopic organisms that are important for biochemical processes that aids in the food production of the plants can die due to acid rain, thus, affecting the food making process of the plants and can cause them to die. Acid rain can also affect the reproduction and growth of plants. It can also take off the waxy covering of plants causing them to be more vulnerable to diseases.

Animals can also fall victims of acid rain. It can make harmful elements like mercury to leak to the ground and be washed down the rivers, lakes and seas. This can affect the marine life. Not only that fishes and other aquatic animals will die but humans can also get affected by eating fish with high harmful element deposits in its stomach.

Human beings can also be affected with acid rain. Contact with the acidic water of the rain can cause skin irritation, blisters and can even burn the skin if there is so much acid in the water. Acid rain can even cause skin cancer according to some doctors. Humans are also affected by acid rain when they were able to consume plants and animals containing harmful chemicals.

Now that you are already aware of thee already aware of the causes of acid rain and the harmful effects it can bring, it is best to help prevent acid rain from happening by doing our role in protecting our mother nature.

Acid Rain: How Can We Reverse Its Effects?

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a position on acid rain. Their primary goal is to make changes to current rules and laws to resolve the issue of acid rain. Three environmentalists made national news by climbing to the top of a smoke stack in order to draw attention to the negligence of manufacturers in making the necessary changes to reduce acid rain.

Acid rain pollution is a problem that affects everyone. It affects earth and water and all the animals and plants which live on them. If man neglects and minimizes the threat of acid rain, his children and the following generations will have a bigger problem to deal with. New laws are created to control and hopefully reverse the effects of acid rain. The long term benefits of such laws will show if they justify their cost.

Governments are working in concert with manufacturers to reduce the emission levels of pollutants causing acid rain. On the other hand, there are many small steps individuals can do to help reduce the sulfur and nitrogen oxide in the air. Conserving energy is the biggest contribution every person can do. The amount of acid rain can be greatly reduced by such simple actions like lowering one's electricity consummation switching to other energy sources. More frequent use of public transportation or carpooling will also reduce the pollutants in the air.

The effects of acid rain are felt worldwide. Acid rain is mainly created by the combination of sulfur and oxide mixing with moisture for the sky. These pollutants are created into the air by fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and factory exhaust. Acid rain is considered one of the biggest environmental problems faced by the world today.

Acid rain is also acid deposits resulting from sulfurs and oxides mixing with drops of rain or snow, and then dropping to the ground or rivers. Winds are also carriers of acid in the air, in a drier form. The effects of acid rain are dangerous because they are seen on water supplies, the environment, wildlife, and plant life. Acid rain will only be controlled by a global agreement and re-enforcement of laws to protect the environment.
Everyone has a role to play in reducing acid rain and daily small gestures will amount to tangible results. One has also to participate in environmental debates and forums and pressure their existing government to take a strong stand on the acid rain issue.

What is Acid reflux? How to avoid it?

2011-12-09T17:36:00.000-08:00

What is Acid reflux?

As we know there are plenty of stomach problems, some are very severe and some can be easily treated at home. Acid reflux is one of the severe ones and we can all it as a product of acidity in the stomach.

So what exactly is acid reflux? It is a condition where the acids in the stomach flow back to esophagus causing a feeling of burning. The patient is in a very uncomfortable situation as this type of acidity hurts very badly. Esophagus is the food pipe; it’s a channel of connecting mouth to the stomach. Our stomach secretes acids in order to digest food. When these acids are secreted more than what is required, acidity occurs. Some acids move back to the esophagus. The inner part of esophagus is not very well protected as the stomach. So the acids hurt the inner lining of the food pipe causing severe pain. It is a very bad form of acidity and amongst the worst stomach problems.

Acid reflux can be avoided if proper care is taken. Like most of the stomach problems, acid reflux can also be treated by your own self at home if it is at initial stage. But too many experiments are always dangerous as acidity cannot be taken lightly. This is a very bad news for the fat people that acid reflux mostly targets overweight people at the age close to 40 years. Many stomach problems are caused due to bad eating habits. It doesn’t mean eating more but it occurs by not having a proper diet plan.

A well balanced diet plan can help you to avoid acidity, acid reflux and many of the stomach problems. What you can do is instead of having a huge meal at one time, you can break it out into smaller ones after regular intervals. This will help to digest food properly and utilize the energy for work. Also don’t go for sleep just after you had a meal. Improper digestion is the root cause of stomach problems including acidity and acid reflux.

Acid reflux can also be avoided if you drink plenty of water and do regular exercise. An active routine keeps the body organs busy and make them work in the right direction. Research has proven that 6 to 8 hours of daily sleep also keeps the threat of acid reflux and acidity away from you along with several other stomach problems.

What causes acid reflux?

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Acid reflux commonly occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not work properly, and allows acid to seep upwards from the stomach to the esophagus. Although we know that a faulty LES is a common cause, we are not sure why it becomes faulty. One of many reasons could be that pressure in the stomach rises higher than the LES can withstand.

Here are some common causes of acid reflux:

* Pregnancy - more commonly found during the third trimester of a pregnancy. As the growing baby presses on the stomach, contents may back up into the esophagus. Doctors say antacids will not relieve acid reflux caused by pregnancy. Patients find that if they eat smaller meals but eat more meals per day, it helps. In the vast majority of cases the acid reflux will disappear soon after the baby is born.

* Large meals and eating habits - people who have large meals will usually find that their acid reflux will improve if they cut down portion sizes. Patients who kept a food diary, noting down everything they ate and linking certain foods to incidences of acid reflux, have experienced a reduction in acid reflux.

* Bending forward - this movement will not usually cause acid reflux unless there is another underlying trigger or problem.

* Hiatus hernia (hiatal hernia) - a condition where the upper part of the stomach protrudes into the chest through a small opening in the diaphragm. Hiatal hernias are commonly caused by severe coughing, vomiting, straining, sudden physical exertion, pregnancy, and obesity.

* Peptic ulcers and insufficient digestive enzymes - peptic ulcers and not enough digestive enzymes in the stomach may slow down the digestive process, causing an accumulation of gastric acids that back up into the esophagus.

* Asthma - experts still argue about which came first, the asthma or the acid reflux - did the asthma cause the acid reflux or did the acid reflux cause the asthma? Nobody has a definite answer to the relationship between asthma and acid reflux. Some say that the coughing and sneezing brought on by asthmatic attacks can cause changes in the chest which trigger acid reflux. Others blame asthma medications - they are taken to dilate the airways, but might also relax the esophageal sphincter.

Most asthma sufferers say that their asthma is worsened by acid reflux because the acid that seeps into the esophagus from the stomach stimulates the nerves along the neck into the chest, causing bronchial constriction and breathing problems.

* Smoking - research has shown that the saliva of smokers contain lower levels of bicarbonates, which neutralize acids. Cigarette smoking also reduces the production of saliva. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid, weakens the esophageal sphincter, promotes the movement of bile salts from the intestine to the stomach (making the acids more harmful), and slows down digestion (making stomach pressure last longer because it takes more time to empty).

* Alcohol - patients have commented that quitting alcohol, or cutting down consumption significantly improved their symptoms.

What is the treatment for acid reflux?

Diet

The vast majority of people with acid reflux will get better if they make some changes to their diet. Some foods are safe for heartburn sufferers, while others are major triggers of it.

It would be easy to say that there is a reflux diet. Unfortunately, we all react differently to different foods.

Below is a list of foods/drinks that commonly cause irritation and/or heartburn:

* Alcohol

* Black pepper

* Chili and chili powder

* Citrus fruit, pineapple

* Coffee

* Garlic

* Spicy food

* Tea

* Tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato juice, ketchup

* Vinegar

Some patients with acid reflux say these gassy foods cause discomfort:

* Beans

* Broccoli

* Brussel Sprouts

* Cabbage

* Cauliflower

* Kale

* Fizzy drinks (sodas)

Medications

* Acid suppressant - these have been shown to be effective, such as histamine2-receptor antagonists (blockers). Histamines are good at reducing inflammation. An inflamed stomach produces more acid - blocking this extra production of acid helps prevent the acids from building up and seeping upwards.

* Propton pump inhibitors - these reduce the production of acid in the stomach. They act on cells in the stomach wall and produce stomach acids.

* Prokinetic agents - these promote the emptying of the stomach, stopping it from becoming overfull.

* Antiacids - commonly used to treat mild acid-related symptoms, such as heartburn or indigestion. They neutralize the acids in the stomach. These are not recommended for frequent heartburn for patients with GERD.

What Is Acid Reflux? What Causes Acid Reflux?

2011-12-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

The word "reflux" comes from the Medieval Latin word refluxus which comes from the Latin word refluere, meaning "to flow back, to recede". If you suffer from acid reflux the acids from your stomach "flow back" into your esophagus, causing discomfort and pain - this discomfort is known as heartburn.

What is the esophagus?

In simple terms, the esophagus is the tube between the stomach and the pharynx, which is at the back of your throat. According to Medilexicon's Medical Dictionary, "the esophagus is the portion of the alimentary canal between the pharynx and stomach. It is about 25-cm long and consists of three parts: the cervical part, from the cricoid cartilage to the thoracic inlet; the thoracic part, from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm; and the abdominal part, below the diaphragm to the cardiac opening of the stomach."

The esophageal sphincter

The esophageal sphincter lies at the junction where the stomach and the esophagus join. Your stomach produces strong acids and enzymes (gastric juices) which are used in food digestion. The inner lining of your stomach has several mechanisms to protect itself from the effect of the gastric juices on itself, but the lining of the esophagus does not. There is a valve that stops the gastric juices from going up the esophagus - it is called the lower esophageal sphincter.

When the lower esophageal sphincter becomes weakened gastric juices can seep upwards into the esophagus.

Most of us have acid reflux problems now and again. In majority of cases this is harmless. If the problem becomes persistent and goes untreated, the heartburn can develop into GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). In chronic and severe cases the esophagus can become scarred - the patient may have difficulty swallowing, and the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus increases significantly.

What is the difference between acid reflux and heartburn?

Acid reflux is the action, while heartburn is the sensation. The pain is heartburn, while the movement of acid into the esophagus from the stomach is acid reflux.

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?

* Asthma - gastric juices seep upwards into the throat, mouth and air passages of the lungs

* Chest pain - part of the heartburn sensation

* Dental erosion

* Dysphagia - difficulty swallowing

* Heartburn - a burning feeling rising from the stomach or lower chest towards the neck

* Hoarseness

* Regurgitation - bringing food back up into the mouth .

Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms: Knowing your Body

2011-12-09T17:28:00.001-08:00

Acid reflux disease is a condition in which the stomach acids abnormally reflux into the esophagus. This phenomenon is irregularly experienced by most people, most especially after eating.

Our body uses gastric and stomach acids to break down the food that we eat. Normally, after the digestion in the stomach, the food is delivered by the digestive muscles to the intestines for extra digestion. But in patients who have acid reflux disease, the acidic stomach contents are moved back to the esophagus, which then causes inflammation. Cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, pregnancy, and fatty foods are some factors which worsens acid reflux conditions.

Our present knowledge about acid reflux based on medical researches tells us that this disease is common in men as it is in women. There is no sexual preference. Moreover, the prevalence of acid reflux is more frequent in people of 40 years of age or more.

Symptoms of acid reflux may be typical or atypical. But based on the diagnosis of acid reflux patients, only 70% of those who have this disease manifest typical symptoms.

Typical or esophageal symptoms concern indicators which are related with the esophagus. Such symptoms include the following:

Heartburn. This is a condition in which the patient feels a painful burning feeling in the esophagus. The pain often develops in the chest and may swell to the neck or throat. This is most probable to occur in relation with these activities: after a heavy meal, lifting, bending over, and lying down. Based on one study, about 75% of acid reflux patients experience this symptom at night. These nigh-time patients also tend to experience more harsh pain than those whose symptom occurs at other times.

Dyspepsia. Researches show that about half of acid reflux patients have dyspepsia. This is a syndrome which consists of pain and distress in the upper abdomen, nausea after a meal, and stomach fullness. It is not a rule however, that those who have dyspepsia have acid reflux.

Regurgitation. This is when the gastric contents back up into the pharynx and sometimes as far as the mouth. In cases where the acids have spilled into the tracheobronchial tree, respiratory complications can be stimulated.

There are many instances, though, that acid reflux patients do not manifest symptoms such as regurgitation and heartburn. Instead, they experience atypical or extraesophageal symptoms which include the following:

Throat Symptoms. Although it does not commonly happen, acid reflux patients suffer from symptoms that occur in the throat. Hoarseness, the feeling of having a lump in the throat, dry cough are undergone by those who have acid laryngitis, a throat symptom. Patients can also have difficulty in swallowing, a condition known as dysphagia. In critical cases, the food may get trapped in the throat or even choke, which can result to a severe chest pain. Other throat symptoms are chronic sore throat and persistent hiccups.

Vomiting and Nausea. When a patient suffers from nausea which persists for weeks, he may have acid reflux. There are few instances where vomiting can occur as often as once a day.

Respiratory Symptoms. Coughing and wheezing are counted as respiratory symptoms. These result from the overrunning of the stomach acids into the tracheobronchial tree creating bronchoconstriction.

Acid reflux disease can last for several months if not given proper medical attention. Drug treatment may only be required for a short time. But when the symptoms tend to repetitively occur, the drug treatment may have to be reapplied.

Symptoms And Natural Cure For Acid Reflux

2011-12-09T17:27:00.001-08:00

How would a person know if he or she has acid reflux? How does acid reflux feel like? It is a burning sensation that affects the upper abdomen after a heavy meal when a person is already relaxing. Later, the pain goes up to the breastbone and to the chest. From this discomfort, it can lead to the inflammation of the esophagus, indigestion, hoarseness and many other symptoms.

Acid reflux disease is the condition that gives uneasiness to many adults including infants by causing sudden pains and burning in the chest. Its most common symptom is called heartburn. The condition is characterized by refluxing or backing up of the stomach acid into the esophagus. While heartburn can normally take place sometimes, it cannot be always rated as acid reflux disease. But if heartburn occurs twice to thrice a week, it is more probably a symptom of acid reflux.

In many cases, the symptoms of acid reflux disease occur after a fatty meal, when drinking liquor or beverages which contains caffeine, when lying down right after meal and worse when smoking. And because of these unpleasant sensations brought about by acid reflux, it can severely affect your health and your lifestyle. A number of people who suffered from this disease also suffered in the quality of lifestyle. Who would be enjoying life if there were a constant reminder of pain? The symptoms are so obvious that you do not need a doctor to diagnose it.

For this particular disease, there could be a variety of treatments that you can choose from. Symptoms which occur less than five times in a month can easily be treated by over the counter medicines. The doctor can give you pieces of advice on the kind of medicine appropriate for you. However, if your body does not work well with the prescribed medicines, it would be best to shift to a new one or seek for another option. Medicines formulated from natural herbs have less or no side effects.

For cases of acute acid reflux, surgical treatment may already be recommended to you. The standard treatment that has been preferred for a long time is called nissen fundoplication. In this surgical procedure, the stomach is wrapped to reinforce the sphincter and thereby preventing the stomach acid from refluxing.

In any manner, the effective way of finding relief from acid reflux symptoms is the natural way. Some simple steps that can work together with your medications will effectively cast away your suffering from this disease. A modified lifestyle will help you make things better. Things to be changed include your dietary habits, refraining from smoking and minimizing the alcohol intake. Salty foods have been found out to aggravate acid reflux disease as much as the fatty foods. Taking extra table salts in your meal can expose you to graver risks.

Obesity doesn’t only harm the heart but can worsen acid reflux disease as well. The excess fat in the abdomen amplifies the pressure in it causing the stomach acid to rise up to the gullet. So diet must be intensively watched out so as to avoid the symptoms and the discomfort they caused.

Natural cure of this disease also includes exercise. Proper stretching can help reduce the pressure on your stomach and subsequently helping you fight the symptoms of acid reflux disease.

If you can follow the preventive measures against acid reflux disease, then you are on your way to beating acid reflux without turning to medications.

Using Acid Reflux Medicine To Get Rid Of The Annoying Heartburns

2011-12-09T17:24:00.000-08:00

Alcohol lovers would often love to match their drink with spicy dishes and greasy and fatty foods. The perfect combination makes the drinking perfect to the palate. Unfortunately though, this is bad for the esophagus and the stomach. The alcohol, the spicy dishes and the greasy and fatty foods causes acid reflux or also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Other causes of acid reflux are pregnancy, genetic influences, presence of infection in the gastrointestinal tract, and the Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).

The Gastrointestinal System of the body is composed of the following: the oral cavity, the esophagus, the stomach, small intestine, large intestine and the anus. The main function of the Gastrointestinal System is to digest food particles, absorb digestive juices and eliminate undigested materials which are of course the feces.

The acid reflux affects the stomach and the esophagus. This occurs when the liquid from the stomach which contains pepsin, an irritating substance produced by the chief cells goes up to the esophagus passing through the cardiac sphincter. The cardiac sphincter is the opening to the stomach from the esophagus. Its function is to prevent reflux of the substances in the stomach because these substances cause esophageal irritation and ulcer. If the cardiac sphincter fails to close after receiving food from the esophagus, acid reflux occurs.

Acid reflux is a chronic condition. Once a person suffers from it, it becomes a life-long ordeal. Injury in the esophagus also is a chronic condition. Even if the esophagus has healed with treatment and it is being stopped, the injury will return in most patients within a few months. Once treatment for said illness is begun, it usually needs to be continued indefinitely.

Normally, liquid reflux in the stomach occurs to a healthy individual. However, people with the acid reflux or GERD, has more acid in the liquid. This may be caused by the genetic influences, specifically, an increased number of parietal cells which produce pepsin in the stomach.

The body has mechanisms to protect itself from the harmful effects of reflux and acid. Most reflux happens during the day when individuals are upright. In said position, the refluxed liquid is more likely to flow back down into the stomach due to gravity. Moreover, while individuals are awake, they continually swallow, regardless if there is reflux or not. Each time individuals swallow the reflux liquid slide back into the stomach. The last body defense to reflux is the salivary glands in the mouth. These glands produce saliva, which contains bicarbonate. Every time an individual swallows, the bicarbonate-containing saliva slides down the esophagus. The bicarbonate neutralizes the small amount of acid that remains in the esophagus.

Basically, acid reflux medicines inhibit the production or release of pepsin produced by the chief cells and hydrochloric acid produced by the parietal cells in the stomach. Other medicines may not totally inhibit the production but they neutralize the acid.

The acid reflux medicines are the Histamine Blockers or the H2 receptor antagonists. Histamine stimulates a pump in the stomach that releases hydrochloric acid. The H2 receptor antagonists prevent the histamine from stimulating this pump. They block the production of the hydrochloric acid thereby reducing secretion and concentration into the stomach.

One of the acid reflux medicines is the Cimetidine which was introduced in 1975. It has a short half-life and short duration of action. The three most popular H2 blockers are Ranitidine, Famotidine and Nizatidine. They are more potent than Cimetidine because in addition to blocking gastric acid secretions, they also promote healing of the ulcer by eliminating its cause. They also have longer duration of action.

As the cliché goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, you can avoid having an acid reflux or GERD by avoiding too much smoking and alcohol, and by eating less of spicy and greasy food. When taking NSAIDs, be sure you take it after meals. Lastly, avoid stress because it stimulates the release of the deadly acid.

Avoid Food And beverages That Cause Acid reflux

2011-12-09T17:22:00.000-08:00

Many people get hungry because they lack food. Children become malnourished if they are not given the right amount of food which contains the needed vitamins and minerals which in turn make the body strong and healthy.

The fact is, not all foods are healthy. The most popular unhealthy food is ‘junk foods’. Just as the word suggests, junk, which means it is like garbage. But many people are still patronizing these kinds of food.

People diagnosed with certain diseases often are given a list of foods to avoid. And this is true with the case of a person having acid reflux. Acid reflux or the GERD is a condition wherein stomach acids go back to the esophagus because of the improper functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter. If this condition is not treated, it will only get worse which can cause serious complications.

You can effectively tell if you have acid reflux if you experience symptoms like sour taste, burning sensation in the chest or upper abdomen and your throat’s back, excessive belching, breathing difficulties, tightness of throat, difficulty in swallowing food, and bad breath.

If you frequently experience these symptoms, then you probably have acid reflux. Visit your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis, so that you will know the severity of your condition.

There are certain beverages and foods which cause acid reflux, and this includes the following:

** chocolate

** coffee

** spearmint and peppermint

** alcoholic drinks

** fruit juices

** fatty foods and fried foods

** onions

** citrus fruits

** spicy foods

** products which are tomato-based

** caffeinated drinks

A change in your diet is the most effective way to deal with acid reflux. Although at first you may feel deprived of these foods, think of what will happen if you continue to eat or drink these beverages and foods.

Start your change in diet by keeping a record of your food intake. In this manner, you can tell which of the foods or beverages causes your acid reflux. So every time you experience that burning sensation, take note of what you’ve actually eaten. Once you have the list accomplished, put it somewhere where you can easily see it, like the refrigerator.

A lifestyle change may seem rather difficult. Your doctor can greatly help you in your transition. The very first thing that you should do is to set a goal, like for instance eating small meals, while avoiding those above-mentioned foods. Slowly quit smoking and drinking. Of course, you can’t expect an abrupt change.

Every time you feel any of the symptoms, you will be instantly reminded that you’re on the wrong path. Self-discipline is very much important to attain a successful lifestyle change.

While many people are taking antacids, others are finding it better to stick with the natural way. On the long run, antacids are not that good for your body, even to your stomach. It would be better to start changing your lifestyle, the sooner the better.

Besides, a healthy lifestyle doesn’t only prevent acid reflux but other diseases as well. You will gain more benefit in changing your life entirely, especially regarding food eating habits. Eat the right kinds of food at the right amount, and you’ll stay healthy. Prevent acid reflux, change…

The Right and Effective Home Remedies for Acid Reflux

2011-12-09T17:19:00.000-08:00

Are you fond of eating junk food, protein-rich food and processed foods? If you do, well, this is bad news for you. You are certainly a candidate for an acid reflux problem in your stomach and esophagus.

Acid reflux is a condition that is a prelude to ulcer. It is caused by a disturbance in the acid-alkaline condition in the stomach.

Eating specific acid foods that are hard to digest induces stomach spasms or twitching which causes the cardiac sphincter, opening between the esophagus and stomach to open for gases to form that should not.

This is an indigestion problem that has gotten out of hand and created acid wastes to flow up to your esophagus causing an irritation. This irritation, if not controlled can result to ulcers and other infections. The acid reflux diet that you have been eating should now be changed.

Once you have the symptoms of acid reflux, you need not resort to medications at once to cure the problem. You can start with home remedies that are surely less expensive.

You may start with changing your diet. You have to say goodbye to the following food and beverages: tea, coffee, radishes, garlic, onion, spices (pepper), oils, alcohol, sugar, soft drinks, diet soft drinks, asparagus (Brussels sprouts), high protein foods, pasta noodles, corn starch, eggs, plums, prunes, cranberries, and all processed foods including junk foods. Now, you may want to cry. All your comfort foods are gone.

If you think, you cannot abruptly eliminate them in your diet; start with taking just small amounts. Then start substituting them with the following: fruits, citric fruits in small amounts though due to their acidic content, all kinds of vegetables and almonds.

If you feel that you are not feeling the acid reflux symptoms anymore, you may go back to your previous diet in moderation though to prevent recurrence of the acid reflux.

Aside from proper diet, there are practical home remedies to avoid the acid reflux symptom. They are:

* Avoid smoking before or during meals.

* Eat in an upright sitting position.

* Do not lie on the bed immediately after eating.

* Take small walks after eating. It stimulates the digestive system.

* Avoid exercise after a large meal.

* Avoid wearing tight clothes.

* Do not drink alcohol while eating.

* Chew food slowly and thoroughly.

One of the home remedies for treating acid reflux is the ginger alternative. Ingesting ginger with a meal helps to reduce an upset stomach. The ginger is grounded and added to foods and taken in tea or capsule form. Most herbalists recommend consuming 500mg. of ginger with a full glass of water after meals.

We are often told by our physicians to drink more water, if possible at least 8 glasses each day. The water helps eliminate body toxins and allow the body to expel acid naturally.

Green tea has been used for centuries in Japan and other oriental countries as an after dinner drink. Green teas assist the body in the digestion process, and help soothe the stomach’s sensitive tissue.

Herbal teas containing peppermint, chamomile, ginger, licorice root and catnip even in just small traces help the stomach lining repair itself. Often, one cup of tea following dinner is enough to reduce future acid reflux symptoms.

Numerous Remedies for Acid Reflux

2011-12-09T17:16:00.002-08:00

No doubt you've heard of numerous natural remedies for heartburn as well as acid reflux disease problems. Natural remedies are sought after now because people are living increasingly more stressful and demanding lives.

As an alternative to taking those strong and dangerous medications a physician may prescribe to help remedy acid reflux, one is much better off making a more sensible choice.

People are fed up with being prescribed prescription drugs to fix their problem and the prescriptions not working, so more are choosing a holistic alternative treatment.

Finding a natural cure for acid reflux disease is what numerous victims are searching for. All it requires is time as well as patience and you will be as you had been before you began having the problem.

If you hae acid reflux disease or simply are afflicted by regular heartburn, there are lots of homeopathic and cure options which say have been shown to treat, remedy and get rid of signs and symptoms.

Acid Reflux Is A Medical Problem

2011-12-09T17:16:00.001-08:00

Acid reflux disease has become a huge medical problem in recent times.

Acid reflux may produce a lot of discomfort for the individual when it is not dealt with.

Heartburn or acid reflux not only has an effect on the digestive system; it could very well create harmful effects on different parts of the human body unless remedied effectively.

When you consider the increase of the intensity during the passing of time, you realize the possibality of that happening.

The effective treatment becomes mandatory, if an individual has persistent problems. This is a dilemma a significant number of individuals have.

Despite the fact that acid reflux disease is no considered serious usually, nonetheless it is still something which should not be ignored.

Here you will find the best and only totally natural holistic method you can use to avoid and get rid of acid reflux permanently.

Rather than taking costly as well as harmful drugs, this is a safe, simple and easy, all natural method to remedy acid reflux disease.

The Harms of Acid Rain

2011-12-09T17:13:00.001-08:00

Acid rain is the acid precipitation whose PH value is below 5.65. It is mainly caused by the large number of acidic substances emitted by human beings into the atmosphere. The acid rain in China is mainly due to burning too much coal with high sulfur content. In addition, the large number of tail gases emitted from a variety of motor vehicles is also an important reason for the formation of acid rain. In recent years, some regions in China have been greatly affected by acid rain. The scope and extent of the pollution caused by acid rain have attracted great attention of people. Acid rain is a complex phenomenon, which is caused by atmospheric chemical and physical factors. Acid rain contains a variety of inorganic acids and organic acids, most of which are sulfuric acid and nitric acid. The acid rain in China is mainly sulfuric acid type. There three major areas in China suffering from acid rain: southwest China; Central China; and the east coast of China. Acid rain causes various kinds of damages to our environment as well as to human beings. First of all, it causes serious air pollution to our environment, which then leads to the changes of the regularity of seasonal and diurnal variation. Secondly, acid rain increases the cloud in the sky, which will reduce both of the sunshine duration and solar radiation. The increasing dust particles in the sky will also reduce atmospheric transparency. What's more, the dust will weaken the ultraviolet of sunlight, which is also harmful to the health of urban residents. Thirdly, acid rain can cause soil acidification. It will accelerate the loss of nutrients and minerals in soil, change the structure of the soil, lead to poor soil sterileness, affect the normal development of plants. What's more, it can also induce plant diseases and insect pests, thus decreasing the production of the crop. What's more, acid rain can also bring damages to the non-metal building materials, making them black and dirty, and thus damage the building and affecting the appearance and landscape of the city. Then what we should do to prevent and control acid rain? Firstly, it is necessary to develop new energy sources, such as hydrogen energy, solar energy, hydroenergy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, and so on. Secondly, it is suggested to use new technologies such as desulfurization, so as to reduce the emission of sulfur dioxide. Thirdly, people should drive car as less as possible, and take public transport much often. Fourthly, it is also helpful to use natural gas and other cleaner energies instead of coal.

Acid Rain Program

2011-12-09T17:05:00.000-08:00

The Acid Rain Program is a market-based initiative taken by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to reduce overall atmospheric levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain. The program is an implementation of emissions trading that primarily targets coal-burning power plants, allowing them to buy and sell emission permits (called "allowances") according to individual needs and costs. Allowance trading essentially ended in 2010 when EPA issued the Transport Rule. In 2011, the trading program that existed since 1995 was replaced by four separate trading programs under the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR).

History

Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act established the allowance market system known today as the Acid Rain Program. Initially targeting only sulfur dioxide, Title IV set a decreasing cap on total SO2 emissions for each of the following several years, aiming to reduce overall emissions to 50% of 1980 levels. The program did not begin immediately, but was implemented in two stages: Phase I (starting January 1, 1995) and Phase II (starting January 1, 2000).

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 set as its primary goal the reduction of annual SO2 emissions by 10 million tons below 1980 levels of about 18.9 million tons. To achieve these reductions by 2000, when a nationwide sulfur dioxide emissions cap of 8.95 million tons per year began, the law required a two phase tightening of operating restrictions placed on fossil fuel fired (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas) power plants. The operation and pricing of a market for emissions allowances would not be viable in the absence of an effective regulatory cap on the total number of allowances available.

Scope of Phase I requirements

In Phase I, half the total reductions were required by January 1, 1995, largely by requiring 110 electric power generating plants (261 units in 21 states) to cut sulfur dioxide emission rates to 2.5 lbs/million British thermal units (mmBtu). Each of these generating units was identified by name and location, and a quantity of emissions allowances were specified in the statute in tons of allowable SO2 emissions per year.

For comparison, new generating units built since 1978 were required to limit sulfur dioxide to a "lowest achievable emissions rate" of about 0.6 lbs/mmBtu. Coal with 1.25% sulfur and 10,000 Btu/lb produces sulfur dioxide emissions of 2.5 lbs/mmBtu, with lower emissions produced by either lower sulfur content or higher Btu content.

As an incentive for reducing emissions, for each ton of sulfur dioxide reduced below the applicable emissions limit, owners of a generating unit received an emissions allowance they could use at another unit, keep for future use, or sell. This legitimized a market for sulfur dioxide emissions allowances, administered by the Chicago Board of Trade. Units that installed flue gas desulfurization equipment (e.g., scrubbers) or other "qualifying Phase I technology" which reduced sulfur dioxide emissions by 90%, qualified for a two-year extension of the 1995 deadline, provided they owned allowances to cover their total actual emissions for each year of the extension period.

Scope of Phase II requirements

In Phase II, all fossil-fired units over 75 MWe were required to limit emissions of sulfur dioxide to 1.2 lbs/mmBtu by January 1, 2000. Thereafter, they were required to obtain an emissions allowance for each ton of sulfur dioxide emitted, subject to a mandatory fine of $2,000.00 for each ton emitted in excess of allowances held. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) distributes allowances equivalent to 8.95 million tons each year (the emissions cap), based on calculations of historical Btu usage for each unit, and may allocate various small "bonus reserves" of allowances.

Nitrogen oxide reduction

The 1990 Amendments also required reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at Phase I units. The key factors in NOx formation are flame temperature and oxygen levels present for combustion. Installation of low-NOx burner retrofits are the most common means of compliance, generally reducing emissions from uncontrolled levels by up to 50%. Many utilities complied with requirements by installing stack-gas scrubbers and low-NOx burners at the same time. Low-NOx burner technology was readily available, and considerably less expensive than installation of scrubbers, so control of NOx was considered less demanding by most electric utilities.

Compliance strategies

The market based SO2 allowance trading component of the Acid Rain Program was intended to allow utilities to adopt the most cost effective strategy to reduce SO2 emissions. Every Acid Rain Program operating permit outlines specific requirements and compliance options chosen by each source. Affected utilities also were required to install systems that continuously monitor emissions of SO2, NOx, and other related pollutants in order to track progress, ensure compliance, and provide credibility to the trading component of the program. Monitoring data is transmitted to EPA daily via telecommunications systems.

Strategies for compliance with air quality controls have been major components of electric utility planning and operations since the mid-1970s, affecting choice of fuels, technologies and locations for construction of new generating capacity. Utility strategies for compliance with new sulfur dioxide standards included a mix of options with varying financial costs:

* several existing and new stack-gas scrubbing and clean coal technologies;

* switching to all, or blending high-sulfur coal with, low-sulfur coal;

* switching to all natural gas, or cofiring coal and natural gas;

* "trimming," or reducing annual hours of plant utilization;

* retiring old units;

* repowering existing units with new coal or non-coal boilers;

* purchasing or transferring emissions allowances from other units;

* increasing demand-side management and conservation; or

* bulk power purchases from other utilities or non-utility generators from units using coal or other fuels.

Some coal cleaning may occur in combination with other actions such as scrubbing, or blending coals with varying sulfur content, but utilities generally prefer that coal suppliers bear the costs of cleaning operations. Some observers estimated 20% - 30% of the sulfur can be removed through coal cleaning or blending, and 50% - 70% taken out with emissions control equipment.

For Phase II compliance the options were numerous, but for Phase I they were constrained by the time available to implement a decision. Because it takes 3–5 years to design and build a scrubber at an existing coal-fired unit, and longer to repower or build a new facility (e.g., 6–11 years for coal, 10–14 years for nuclear units), electric utility decision options for Phase I plants were limited to scrubbing, switching fuels, purchasing or transferring emissions allowances to allow continued use of high-sulfur coal, retiring units, or trimming unit utilization and substituting capacity from another source.

Delays in allocating "early scrub" bonus credits and scheduling of the first auction of emissions allowances in March 1993 effectively removed these incentives from actual compliance decision making of most electric utilities. Because of the time it takes to build air pollution control equipment, financial and contractual commitments to scrubbers had to be made by summer 1992 if plant modifications were to be operational in time to meet new standards in 1995. Thus, decisions had to be made before price and allocation of emissions allowances were known. Consequently, most scrubber projects to meet the 1995 deadline were well under way by fall of 1992.

Windfalls

Of the 261 units at 110 plant locations affected by Phase I emission limitations, five were oil-fired, five coal-fired units were retired, and one coal-fired unit was placed on cold standby status prior to passage of the legislation in 1990. The 6 inactive coal-fired units were statutory recipients of a total of 36,020 tons of Phase I sulfur dioxide emissions allowances.

This marketable windfall was estimated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 1991 to be worth $665 to $736 per ton, totaling $23.9 to $26.5 million. However, actual purchases of emissions allowances in 1992 were reported at a lower price than expected of $300 per ton.Allowances auctioned in March 1993 sold for $122 to $450 per ton, reducing the windfall from these allowances to $4.4 to $16.2 million. In the interim, owners of one unit retired in 1985, the 119 MWe Des Moines Energy Center, received $93 million in DOE funding for a Clean Coal Technology project to repower with a coal-fired 70 MWe pressurized fluidized-bed combustion unit, bringing it back into production in 1996.

Location of generating units

Excluding those 11 units, 250 active coal-fired units at 105 plants in 21 states were subject to Phase I sulfur dioxide emissions reductions in 1995. States having the greatest number of generating units affected by the Phase I requirements were: Ohio (40), Indiana (37), Pennsylvania (21), Georgia (19), Tennessee (19), Kentucky (17), Illinois (17), Missouri (16) and West Virginia (14). Together, Phase I units represented 20% of the 1,250 operable coal-fired generating units in the U.S. in 1990.

These 250 units had a summer peak generating capability of 79,162 MWe in 1990, with a mean of 317 MWe/unit. This capacity represented about 27% of installed summer coal-fired capability, and about 11.5% of total U.S. installed summer generating capability in 1990. About 207 million tons, almost 90% of the coal purchased by Phase I plants in 1990, produced sulfur dioxide emissions exceeding the 1995 emissions rate of 2.5 lbs/mm Btu using no pollution control equipment.

Age matters

Age of the 250 Phase I coal units ranged from 17 to 46 years when the standards took effect, with a mean of 34 years. In 1995, 111 active Phase I units (23%) were 35 years of age or older, and only 8 (6%) were less than 20 years old. The average age of 35 coal-fired units retired during 1988-1991 was 44.6 years, with a range of 14–74 years. These units ranged in size from 1-107 MWe summer capability. Several had been on standby (e.g., available for use during regularly scheduled outages of other units for maintenance) for many years prior to retirement. About half (often the older units) were designed to "cofire" with natural gas or fuel oil, and could be operated using these fuels instead of coal if desired.

Both the number and average age of coal-fired units retired increased substantially from 1988 to 1991, indicating utilities were removing very old units from available status that they no longer expected to use, thereby avoiding maintenance costs necessary to keep them on standby. For comparison, the 6 Phase I coal units retired before 1990 ranged in age from 21–35 years when taken out of service, with a mean of 31 years.

Age of these units was significant for several reasons. All of the Phase I units were either built or under construction when the Clean Air Act of 1977 was enacted, and all but eight were built or under construction when the 1970 Act was enacted. Consequently, these units were built when labor costs were significantly less than in the 1990s, and they avoided major investments in pollution control equipment. In the 1990s, these units were often among the least expensive of any operated by their respective owners, in terms of cost per megawatt-hour of energy produced. Compared to other plants on a utility company system, these units provided incentives for their owners to maximize operating time, minimize downtime for repairs or retrofit, and minimize further capital investments in them.

Because capital in such plants is typically amortized over 20–30 years, investments in most of them were fully recovered by 1995. Justifying large additional capital investments in plants which may have a remaining useful life of 10 years or less, absent reconstruction of boilers, is often difficult. Further, because large coal-fired generating units tend to reach peak operating and combustion efficiencies during the first three years of operation, declining incrementally thereafter throughout their lifetimes, these old plants were among the dirtiest sources of air pollution in the electric utility industry. They were able to operate for many years without substantially reducing emissions, when other plants were required to install "best available" air pollution control equipment pursuant to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977.

Uncertainties

Uncertainties confronting electric utilities when planning compliance strategies were substantial. These included the future price and availability of fuels; the value of emissions allowances and operation of markets for them; the manner in which state public utility commissions and the Internal Revenue Service would allocate the costs of scrubbing or switching fuels and the value of emissions allowances; accounting guidelines, revisions to interstate bulk power sales contracts, and possible intervention by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in interstate transfers of emissions allowances by multi-state holding companies. Changes in the competitiveness of various generating and pollution control technologies; a myriad of new rule making actions required by the Clean Air Act; and the possibility of new legislation limiting emissions of carbon dioxide, imposing a tax on carbon emissions, or on Btu usage were also of great concern. A final rule easing some uncertainty on continuous emissions monitoring, permit requirements, and operation of the emissions allowance system was not issued until January 1993, well after compliance strategies had to be developed and major investment decisions made.

In this context, utility executives were required to make investment decisions committing millions of dollars over extended periods. As summarized by one utility manager: "Major decisions must be made without adequate information or even the ability to obtain adequate information." For example, after a protracted struggle involving the Ohio Public Utilities Commission, the Ohio Office of Consumer's Counsel, industrial customers, the Ohio Sierra Club, and the United Mine Workers at American Electric Power Company's affiliate Meigs high-sulfur coal mines, construction of scrubbers by AEP at its two-unit, 2,600 MWe Gavin plant in Ohio were expected to cost about $835 million, reducing sulfur dioxide emissions there by 95%. In February 1993, AEP was still unsure whether it would be allowed by the Ohio Public Utilities Commission to transfer emissions credits from the Gavin scrub to Phase I units in other states.Thus, substantial financial commitments had to be made on the basis of best judgments by utility planners and construction begun in the absence of definitive information or final regulatory approvals.

Innovations in coal supply contracts

The risks associated with such uncertainty stimulated innovation in contracts for purchase of coal by electric utilities. In a buyers market, utilities renegotiated old contracts and signed new ones with a variety of provisions designed to manage risks and increase flexibility for future decisions. For example, Ohio Edison signed "high/low" contracts at the end of 1991 with three coal suppliers. Under these agreements, the utility could elect to shift purchases from high-sulfur to low-sulfur coal produced by the same supplier. The supplier retained the option of continuing to ship high-sulfur coal in lieu of low-sulfur coal if it provided sufficient emissions allowances so this coal could be burned without penalty. In this event, the supplier paid for the allowances, and the utility paid the contract price for lower sulfur coal.

Additional innovative contract terms under consideration would link price premiums and penalties paid for coal with different levels of sulfur content to changes in the market price of sulfur dioxide emissions allowances; trade emissions allowances to coal suppliers as partial payment for low-sulfur coal; or establish larger variances in quantity and prices for different qualities of coal in a single contract. AMAX Energy purchased an undisclosed number of emissions allowances from Long Island Lighting Co., which it said it would offer in packages with its coal and natural gas contracts. Thus, coal suppliers began participating along with electric utilities as buyers and sellers of marketable sulfur dioxide emissions allowances.

THE FACTS ABOUT ACID RAIN

2011-11-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

All hell was let loose with the recent news that there is an expected shower of acid rain across the geographical region of Nigeria. The mass media, both electronic and print, the internet, as well as mouth to mouth information have all been awash by stories of a looming bout of acid rain.

In the wake of an SMS which was sent out to a large number of people, informing them of an oncoming acid rain which was misconstrued to cause cancer and death. The full text of the message reads thus:

Be careful from the 20th to 28th of this month, there is possibility of an ACID RAIN. The dark circle appeared around the moon on 17th of last month & this is an indication of Acid Rain. Apparently this happens once in 750yrs. It rains normally but It may cause skin cancer if you expose yourself to it. So ALERT your dear ones. This information is from NASA in the USA. DO NOT neglect. Please forward this to your friends. Better to be cautious than sorry.

Granted, bad news is expected to spread with more voracity and intensity, this explains how and why the current wave of stories about the acid rain has circulated across Nigeria. But some reasonable questions to be asked are: what is an acid rain, and is it a new occurrence? What are the effects of acid rain? How come it is just beginning to take preeminence in the minds of people?

First, let us understand the phenomenon described as acid rain and shed more light on the principles that govern its formation, activation and eventual release.

What is an acid rain?

Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, i.e. elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure through the process of wet deposition. Acid rain is caused by emissions of compounds of ammonium, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.

What is the history of acid rain?

Since the Industrial Revolution, emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere have increased. In 1852, Robert Angus Smith was the first to show the relationship between acid rain and atmospheric pollution in Manchester, England. Though acidic rain was discovered in 1852, it was not until the late 1960s that scientists began widely observing and studying the phenomenon. The term "acid rain" was generated in 1972. Canadian Harold Harvey was among the first to research a "dead" lake. Public awareness of acid rain in the U.S increased in the 1970s after the New York Times promulgated reports from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire of the myriad deleterious environmental effects demonstrated to result from it.

What are the effects of acid rain?

Surface waters and aquaticv animals

Both the lower pH and higher aluminium concentrations in surface water that occur as a result of acid rain can cause damage to fish and other aquatic animals. At pHs lower than 5 most fish eggs will not hatch and lower pHs can kill adult fish. As lakes and rivers become more acidic biodiversity is reduced. Acid rain has eliminated insect life and some fish species, including the brook trout in some lakes, streams, and creeks in geographically sensitive areas, such as the Adirondack Mountains of the United States.

Soils

Soil biology and chemistry can be seriously damaged by acid rain. Some microbes are unable to tolerate changes to low pHs and are killed. The enzymes of these microbes are denatured (changed in shape so they no longer function) by the acid. The hydronium ions of acid rain also mobilize toxins such as aluminium, and leach away essential nutrients and minerals such as magnesium.

Forests and other vegetation

Adverse effects may be indirectly related to acid rain, like the acid's effects on soil (see above) or high concentration of gaseous precursors to acid rain. High altitude forests are especially vulnerable as they are often surrounded by clouds and fog which are more acidic than rain.

Other plants can also be damaged by acid rain, but the effect on food crops is minimized by the application of lime and fertilizers to replace lost nutrients. In cultivated areas, limestone may also be added to increase the ability of the soil to keep the pH stable, but this tactic is largely unusable in the case of wilderness lands. When calcium is leached from the needles of red spruce, these trees become less cold tolerant and exhibit winter injury and even death.

Human health

Scientists have suggested direct links to human health. Fine particles, a large fraction of which are formed from the same gases as acid rain (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide), have been shown to cause illness and preature deaths such as cancer and other diseases.

Other adverse effects

Acid rain can also damage buildings and historic monuments, especially those made of rocks such as limestone and marble containing large amounts of calcium carbonate. Acids in the rain react with the calcium compounds in the stones to create gypsum, which then flakes off.

Clearly, it is obvious that the case of the recent alarm oozes out of the thoughts of some mischievous individuals or groups who decided to cash in on the wide gap of illiteracy in the country. Contrary to the contents of the SMS's that have been sent out, “Scientists have suggested direct links to human health.” and cancer have not been directly linked to acid rain.

The simple truth is that as long as we (humans) continue to embarrass mother nature and pollute her with our knack for comfort, we would in turn, be embarrassed by mother nature. Acid rain has been around for a very long time, it is as old as the very first time that we have released ammonium, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur into the atmosphere.

Acid Rain – Control If Before It Ruins New Parts Of The Earth

2011-11-05T20:42:00.001-07:00

Acid rain was a very common phenomenon before many governments stepped in to put an end to it. It is a term given to precipitation which contains various acids, but mostly sulfuric acid, which get formed when gases emitted by industry and vehicles combine with water droplets in the air. Acid rain is the most common term for this precipitation although it can also take the form of snow or fog depending on the climactic conditions of the place where it occurs. Acid rain or snow has a devastating effect on the land where it falls. It can destroy vegetation as well as animal life. Trees are stripped bare of their leaves when this rain falls on them. It can also damage the soil for good, making it unfit for cultivation. The negative results of acid rain do not stop at this. The acids wash into rivers and lakes where they kill fish and other marine life mercilessly. Certain places at high altitudes have suffered greatly as a result of these acids especially when trees in these places are surrounded by acid fog for extended periods of time. Acid rain is mostly caused due to the presence of sulfur dioxide in industrial emissions that combine with water particles to form sulfuric acid. Nitrogen dioxide in emissions causes nitric acid to be formed in the same way. Governments have stepped in to regulate emissions from various factories. They have to make certain modifications to their chimneys whereby these gases are not allowed to escape into the atmosphere. This involves the use of new technology, especially in the form of a wet scrubber that converts these gases into other products. A lot of nitrogen oxide also escapes in the form of automobile emissions. Steps are being taken to control these emissions in order to reduce the pollution of the environment. While many developed nations have already put many environmental measures and laws in place, the spotlight has now shifted to developing nations. Pollution is on the increase in these countries and they do not all have access to technology or money to control emissions. Besides, these countries resent the attempts by developed nations to curtail their industrial growth after the developed nations have already created substantial wealth after destroying the environment. It is now up to each individual to do something to help save the planet from acid rain. The choices we make in terms of the products we use have a direct bearing on the health of our planet and out future on it. International treaties and discussions are in place to put an end to acid rain. It will require the cooperation of all countries in order to make this venture a success. After all, rain clouds know no boundaries and pollution in one country can lead to acid rain in another country. The problem of industrial pollution and acid rain has to be tackled on a war footing because if it allowed to continue the results could be devastating for the earth.

What Is Acid Precipitation?

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Acid precipitation is more commonly referred to as acid rain, but can also mean sleet, snow, fog, or mist with an unusually high acid component. Precipitation is generally considered to be acid if the pH is lower than 5.6, compared to pure distilled water, which has a pH of 7.0. Acid precipitation is considered by many experts to be a potentially environmentally devastating phenomena often associated with global warming and high greenhouse gas levels.

Certain chemical emissions, such as sulfur or nitrogen dioxide, are considered mainly responsible for increased levels of acidity in precipitation. When these chemicals are released into the air, they can mix with water-bearing chemicals and become part of the cloud makeup. When a cloud releases water in the form of rain, snow, or sleet, the absorbed chemicals increase the acidic content of the water, resulting in acid precipitation.

High levels of acid rain are linked to areas with heavy industrial usage and high vehicle density. The emissions from cars, buses, and industrial plants are all associated with high levels of acid in precipitation. In the United States, the Northeastern states typically show the highest level of acid precipitation, which most experts consider to be a direct result of the urban and industrial density throughout the region. According to some studies, average acidity levels for precipitation in the Northeastern states can be as low as 4.3 on the pH scale.

The damage caused by acid precipitation has long been studied but is only recently being given serious attention. Studies on acid rain have been conducted since at least the 19th century, when Scottish scientist Robert Angus Smith published a book on the effects of local industry pollution on air, land and local agriculture. Since Smith’s time, detailed scientific studies have suggested links between acid rain and severe ecological damage to water sources and soil as well as human and animal existence.

Acid precipitation can be devastating to both freshwater and marine ecosystems. In addition to raising the acid content of the water, high acid levels can also deteriorate bedrock systems, allowing hard metals stored in the rocks to seep into the water. Many experts attribute falling fish counts to a buildup of mercury in fish habitats, largely due bedrock excretions of the chemical.

High acidic content in rain and other forms of precipitation can also destroy the nutritional value of topsoil, starving crops of necessary nourishment. The alterations to soil makeup can prove deadly to certain plant species, such as maple trees, that are dependent on low acid soil in order to grow. Some studies suggest that the centuries-old market for maple sugar and syrup is greatly endangered thanks to loss of maple trees.

Even human invention risks damage from acid precipitation. In urban areas with high levels of acid rain, monuments, historical buildings, and artwork exposed to the elements are often endangered by acid rain. Traditional building materials such as marble and limestone include a calcium content that is easily damaged by high acidity, while metals like copper and bronze quickly oxidize in acidic conditions, leading to blemishes and discoloration. Famous buildings such as the Parthenon, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Taj Mahal are all under careful observation after showing signs of material erosion thanks to acid precipitation.

Harmful Consequences of Acid Rain

2011-11-05T20:37:00.002-07:00

Pollution causes impurities to rain water and turning it to acidic substance. It is said that rain water contains many minerals and it is good for the skin and hair. However, due to the pollutants on it, it is not pure anymore. Acid rain can bring negative effects on plants, animals and even human beings. In this article, the causes of acid rain will be discussed as well as its effects on the life in the planet.

Pollutants and harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and ammonium when mixed with rain water in the atmosphere, will turn the rain droplets acidic. High level of hydrogen ions in the rain water will result to the pH level of the water to drop below 7. Acid rain, if it will fall to the ground, will result to destruction of vegetation and other life forms.

Vegetation is one of the living things that can be affected by acid rainffected by acid rain. Acid rain causes damage to microorganisms in the soil that usually helps in biochemical processes. It also affects the pollination and reproduction of plants. Acid rain can remove the waxy coating of the plants, thus, making them prone to diseases.

Metals can be corroded by acid rain. Moreover, harmful metals such as aluminum and mercury can be leak into the soils and be washed to the bodies of water resulting to damage or even death of aquatic life. Not only will that fishes die, but greater amount of these harmful chemicals stocked in the body of fishes will cause harmful effects to humans.

Acid rain is also known to affect human beings. It can cause problems in the skin like burns and blisters. Too much acid in theuch acid in the rain can also lead to burning of the skin. Acid rain, according to doctors, can also cause skin cancer. Humans can have health problems due to acid rainue to acid rain by consuming plants and animals that contain harmful chemicals.

These are the facts about acid rain and how it can affect living things. May we perform our tasks as guardians of our mother nature.

Prevent Acid rain:

2011-11-05T20:37:00.001-07:00

It's high times that we react, respond and do something to save our atmosphere from getting destroyed.Let's go by the saying that prevention is better than cure.I have mu own suggestions to say:

1)Make the less use of automobiles.Use cycles or non-polluted vehicles for nearby purposes keeping aside the matter of dignity and status.

2)Use electric cars which run on battery to prevent acid rain.Though electric cars are not a big hit try using them for minor uses and and new formula is to be invented for battery based vehicles.

3)Industries must reduce the sulfur content from the smoke they release. The smoke should be checked before they are released into the atmosphere.

4)Find new ways and methods to burn coal or else replace current and electricity for these means and get the maximum out of it.

5)Government should get into the picture, play an active role and check the pollution levels of factories, industries and automobiles and vehicles.

6)developing countries should learn from the developed countries and curb the destruction as drop and drop only make a big ocean.

If at least some the methods are implemented the effects of scid rain can be reduced in the coming future days.

How is Acid Rain Formed

2011-11-05T20:35:00.001-07:00

What is acid rain?

Acid rain is classified as any form of precipitation (rain, snow, fog, hail) that has a pH of 4 or lower. It is primarily a result of air pollution. Particular gases released into the atmosphere react with the water particles in clouds and combine to make a very weak form of acid. Acid rain can have harmful effects on plant life, water supplies and aquatic life and some forms of infrastructure. Acid rain is not acidic enough to burn your skin upon contact. The acid that is formed in the atmosphere can also fall as acidic dust and pollute the soil many thousands of kilometers from the source of the pollution.

How is acid rain formed?

There are three main causes of acid rain, but both are due to the same gases being released into the atmosphere. Acid rain is caused by the two main air pollutants, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. When these gases come into contact with the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water they combine to form a weak acid. The major cause of acid rain is air pollution by burning fossil fuels, smelting metals and motor vehicles. Acid rain can also be caused naturally by the eruption of a volcano. When a volcano erupts it produces a large amount of sulfur dioxide and it is not uncommon to have acid rain. Acid rain can also be caused by lightning strikes as these naturally produce nitrogen oxide.

How does acid rain effect the environment?

In the 1970’s the effects of acid rain were at their worst. Many forests the world over were dying and there were many cases where marine life in lakes and rivers died out or became mutated. Governments the world over worked to lower the amount of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that they were adding to the atmosphere. Acid rain is often felt in countries many thousands of kilometers from major air pollution. Mountainous regions are more likely to suffer from greater acid rain fall due to the higher rainfall received in these areas.

How to Avoid Acid Rain

2011-11-05T20:32:00.000-07:00

Acid rain is a popular phrase used to describe rain, snow, fog, or other precipitation that is full of acids that collect in the atmosphere due to the burning of fuels such as coal, petroleum, and gasoline. Acid rain was first recognized in Europe in the late 1800s but did not come to widespread public attention until about 1970, when its harmful effects on the environment were publicized. Research has shown that in many parts of the world, lakes, streams, and soils have become increasingly acidic, prompting a corresponding decline in fish populations. Acid rain occurs when polluted gases become trapped in clouds that drift for hundreds, even thousands, of miles and are finally released as acidic precipitation. Trees, lakes, animals, and even buildings are vulnerable to the slow, corrosive effects of acid rain.

Acidification, the process of making acid, is not just caused by deposits of acidic rain but also by chemicals in snow and fog and by gases and particulates when precipitation is not occurring. The major human-made causes of acid deposition are (1) emissions of sulfur dioxide from power plants that burn coal and oil and (2) emissions of nitrogen oxides from automobiles. These emissions are transformed into sulfuric acid and nitric acid in the atmosphere, where they accumulate in cloud droplets and fall to Earth in rain and snow, wet deposition. Other sources of acid deposition are gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, as well as very small particulates. These gases and particulates are usually deposited when it is not raining or snowing which is called dry deposition.

While large areas of Europe and North America are exposed to acidifying depositions, only certain types of ecosystems are affected by these depositions. The most vulnerable ecosystems usually have a thin cover of soil, containing little calcium and sitting upon solid rock made up of hard minerals such as granite or quartz. Many freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers have become acidic, resulting in the decline or local destruction of some plant and animal populations. It is not yet certain that land-based ecosystems have been affected by acidic deposition. After acid rain was discovered in Europe, scientists began measuring the acidity of rain in North America. Initially, they found that the problem was concentrated in the northeastern states of New York and Pennsylvania because the type of coal burned there was more sulfur containing.

Acid rain is measured through pH tests that determine the concentration of hydrogen ions in a liter of fluid. The pH scale is used to measure acidity or alkalinity. It runs from 0 to 14. Water has a neutral pH of 7. The greater the concentration of hydrogen ions and the lower the pH number, the more acidic a substance is and the lower the concentration of hydrogen ions and the higher the pH number, the more alkaline or basic a substance is. So a pH greater than 7 indicates an alkaline substance while a pH less than 7 indicates an acidic substance. It is important to note that a change of only one unit in pH equals a tenfold change in the concentration of hydrogen ions. For example, a solution of pH 3 is 10 times more acidic than a solution of pH 4. Normal rain and snow measure about pH 5.60. In environmental science, the definition of acid precipitation refers to a pH less than 5.65.

Measured values of acid rain vary according to geographical area. When pH levels are drastically upset in soil and water, entire lakes and forests are endangered. Evergreen trees in high elevations are especially vulnerable. Although the acid rain itself does not kill the trees, it makes them more susceptible to disease. Also, high acid levels in soil cause leaching of other valuable minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Small marine organisms cannot survive in acidic lakes and rivers, and their depletion affects the larger fish who usually feed on them, and, ultimately, the entire marine-life food chain. Snow from acid rain is also damaging; snowmelt has been known to cause massive, instant death for many kinds of fish. Some lakes in Scandinavia and New York's Adirondack Mountains are completely devoid of fish life. Acid rain also eats away at buildings and metal structures. From the Acropolis in Greece to Renaissance buildings in Italy, ancient structures are showing signs of corrosion from acid rain. In some industrialized parts of Poland, trains cannot exceed 40 miles (65 kilometers) per hour because the iron railway tracks have been weakened from acidic air pollution. Usually, waters affected by acid rain are treated by adding limestone or lime, an alkaline substance (base) that reduces acidity. Fishery biologists especially are interested in liming acidic lakes to make them more habitable for sport fish. In some parts of Scandinavia, for instance, liming is used extensively to make the biological damage of acidification less severe.

While neutralizing ecosystems that have become acidic, treats the symptoms but not the sources of acidification. Although exact sources of acid rain are difficult to pinpoint and the actual amount of damage caused by acid deposition is uncertain, it is agreed that acid rain levels need to be reduced. Scientific evidence supports the notion that what goes up must come down, and because of public awareness and concerns about acid rain in many countries, politicians have begun to act decisively in controlling or eliminating human causes of such pollution. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are being reduced, especially in Western Europe and North America. For example, in 1992 the governments of the United States and Canada signed an air-quality agreement aimed at reducing acidifying depositions in both countries. While countries in Western Europe and North American have actively carried out actions to reduce emissions of gases leading to acid deposition for a number of years, countries in other parts of the world have only recently addressed the issue. In Eastern Europe, Russia, China, India, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and various developing nations, acid rain and other pollution problems are finally gaining notice. For example, in 1999, scientists identified a haze of air pollution that hovers over the Indian Ocean near Asia during the winter. The 3.8 million-square-mile haze (about the size of the combined area of all fifty American states) is made up of small by-products from the burning of fossil fuels. Such a cloud has the potential to cool Earth, harming both marine and terrestrial life.

Effects of acid rain on automotive coatings

2011-11-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

Acid rain and the dry deposition of acidic particles contribute to the corrosion of metals (such as bronze) and the deterioration of paint and stone (such as marble and limestone). These effects seriously reduce the value to society of buildings, bridges, cultural objects (such as statues, monuments, and tombstones), and cars.

Over the past two decades, there have been numerous reports of damage to automotive paints and other coatings. The reported damage typically occurs on horizontal surfaces and appears as irregularly shaped, permanently etched areas. The damage can best be detected under fluorescent lamps, can be most easily observed on dark colored vehicles, and appears to occur after evaporation of a moisture droplet. In addition, some evidence suggests damage occurs most frequently on freshly painted vehicles. Usually the damage is permanent; once it has occurred, the only solution is to repaint.

The general consensus within the auto industry is that the damage is caused by some form of environmental fallout. "Environmental fallout," a term widely used in the auto and coatings industries, refers to damage caused by air pollution (e.g., acid rain), decaying insects, bird droppings, pollen, and tree sap. The results of laboratory experiments and at least one field study have demonstrated that acid rain can scar automotive coatings. Furthermore, chemical analyses of the damaged areas of some exposed test panels showed elevated levels of sulfate, implicating acid rain.

The popular term "acid rain" refers to both wet and dry deposition of acidic pollutants that may damage material surfaces, including auto finishes. These pollutants, which are released when coal and other fossil fuels are burned, react with water vapor and oxidants in the atmosphere and are chemically transformed into sulfuric and nitric acids. The acidic compounds then may fall to earth as rain, snow, fog, or may join dry particles and fall as dry deposition. Automotive coatings may be damaged by all forms of acid rain, including dry deposition, especially when dry acidic deposition is mixed with dew or rain. However, it has been difficult to quantify the specific contribution of acid rain to paint finish damage relative to damage caused by other forms of environmental fallout, by the improper application of paint or by deficient paint formulations. According to coating experts, trained specialists can differentiate between the various forms of damage, but the best way of determining the cause of chemically induced damage is to conduct a detailed, chemical analysis of the damaged area.

Because evaporation of acidic moisture appears to be a key element in the damage, any steps taken to eliminate its occurrence on freshly painted vehicles may alleviate the problem. The steps include frequent washing followed by hand drying, covering the vehicle during precipitation events, and use of one of the protective coatings currently on the market that claim to protect the original finish.

The auto and coatings industries are fully aware of the potential damage and are actively pursuing the development of coatings that are more resistant to environmental fallout, including acid rain. The problem is not a universal one-- it does not affect all coatings or all vehicles even in geographic areas known to be subject to acid rain-- which suggests that technology exists to protect against this damage. Until that technology is implemented to protect all vehicles or until acid deposition is adequately reduced, frequent washing and drying and covering the vehicle appear to be the best methods for consumers who wish to minimize acid rain damage. (EPA)

What Are the Different Types of Acid Rain Damage?

2011-11-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

Acid rain is precipitation contaminated with highly acidic particles. It occurs both as a result of natural activity, such as volcanic eruptions, and the collection of man-made particulate matter and emissions in the atmosphere. According to many environmental experts and scientists, severe environmental and even structural damage can be caused by acid rain, leading many to call for updated emission standards that would reduce man-made acid precipitation.

When certain chemical gases such as sulfur dioxide, ammonium, or nitrogen are expelled into the atmosphere, they can combine with water molecules to create acid-heavy clouds. These clouds may be propelled by the wind and atmospheric changes, eventually releasing precipitation in the form of acid rain, snow, sleet, fog, or other types of precipitation. Damage is caused when the acidic nature of this precipitation mixes with whatever it hits, including soil, stone, plants, or water.

Acid rain damage takes many forms and can have many outcomes. Generally, the precipitation causes alteration to the pH balance of whatever it touches, resulting in changes to the chemical makeup. According to studies, these chemical alterations can have devastating effects on all types of ecosystems and may even pose danger to human health and civilization.

Nutrient depletion in soil is one common type of acid rain damage. As the acidic water compounds hit the soil, they can leach out vital nutrients that make soil fertile. Enough contamination can lead to patches of soil becoming unable to support life, cutting off the nutritional feed line to any plants in the affected area. The chemical compounds in the rain disperse in the soil, allowing the accumulation of harmful chemicals, such as aluminum, that can kill plants. From this point on, the destruction accumulates, as the resulting die-off of plants leads to diminished habitat and food sources for resident animal, bird, and insect populations.

Acid rain damage can also be extremely dangerous to water-based ecosystems. As the acidic water falls into a lake or stream, the pH balance drops and harmful chemicals, like aluminum and mercury, are released into the body of water. Many aquatic species are extremely sensitive to acid and cannot hatch eggs or survive in contaminated waters; additionally, increased acid levels may kill aquatic plants and micro-organisms, destroying the main food sources of many aquatic creatures.

In human society, some studies have linked high acid rain damage to cancers and other illnesses. This dangerous precipitation also can be extremely destructive to certain types of stone, such as limestone and marble, and has caused severe damage to many ancient buildings, bridges, monuments, and works of art. Acid rain damage has caused many governments to enact protective and restoration efforts to preserve national monuments, including the Statue of Liberty in New York, and the Parthenon in Athens.

Acid rain- its effects and control measures

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When fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are burned, chemicals like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are produced. These chemicals react with water and other chemicals in the air to form sulfuric acid, nitric acid and other harmful pollutants like sulfates and nitrates. These acid pollutants spread upwards into the atmosphere, and are carried by air currents, to finally return to the ground in the form of acid rain, fog or snow. The corrosive nature of acid rain causes many forms of environmental damage. Acid pollutants also occur as dry particles and gases, which when washed from the ground by rain, add to the acids in the rain to form an even more corrosive solution. This is called acid deposition.

Damage from acid rain is widespread in North America, Europe, Japan, China and South-east Asia. In the US, coal-burning power plants contribute to about 70% of sulfur dioxide. In Canada, oil refining, metal smelting and other industrial activities account for 61% of the sulfur dioxide pollution. Motor vehicle exhaust fumes are the main source of nitrogen oxides. The acids in acid rain chemically react with any object they come into contact with.

Effects of Acid Rain

1)Acid rain dissolves and washes away nutrients in the soil, which are needed by plants. It can also dissolve naturally occurring toxic substances like aluminum and mercury, freeing them to pollute water or poison plants.

2)Acid rain indirectly affects plants by removing nutrients from the soil in which they grow. It affects trees more directly by creating holes in the waxy coating of leaves, causing brown dead spots which affect the plant's photosynthesis. Such trees are also more vulnerable to insect infestations, drought and cold. Spruce and fir forests at higher elevations seem to be most at risk. Farm crops are less affected by acid rain than forest.

3)Acid rain that falls or flows as ground water to reach rivers, lakes arid wetlands, causes the water in them to become acidic. This affects plant and animal life in aquatic ecosystems.

4)Acid rain also has far reaching effects on wildlife. By adversely affecting one species, the entire food chain is disrupted, ultimately endangering the entire ecosystem. Different aquatic species can tolerate different levels of acidity. For example, clams and mayflies have a high mortality when water has a pH of 6.0. Frogs can tolerate more acidic water, although with the decline in supply of mayflies, frog populations may also decline. Land animals that are dependent on aquatic organisms are also affected.

5)Acid rain and dry acid deposition damages buildings, automobiles, and other structures made of stone or metal. The acid corrodes the materials causing extensive damage and ruins historic buildings. For example, the Parthenon in Greece and the Taj Mahal in India have been affected by acid rain.

6)Although surface water polluted by acid rain does not directly harm people, the toxic substances leached from soil can pollute the water supply. Fish caught in these waters may be harmful for human consumption. Acid, along with other chemicals in the air, produces urban smog, which causes respiratory problems.

Control Measures for Acid Rain

Improvement in technologies and switching to clean combustion technologies are highly essential. Coal with lower sulphur content is desirable to use in thermal plants. Replacement of coal by natural gas would also reduce the problem substantially. Installing scrubbers to reduce smoke stack emissions, though expensive, would be economical compared to the losses due to damage done to lakes, forests, monuments, food production and so on. Billions of dollars are spent in repairing the damage to buildings in Europe annually.

Chemistry of Acid Rain

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In its purest state, rain water is like distilled water. It does not have carbon dioxide dissolved in it. It is neutral, with a pH level of 7. pH is the concentration of hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution. If the pH level is above 7, it is said to be basic, and if it is below 7, it is said to be acidic in nature.

As rain water falls through the atmosphere, particles suspended in the air are dissolved in it. These substances are generally dust, pollen grains and carbon dioxide (CO2). Emissions of volcanoes and lightning tend to decrease the pH level of acid rain, making it even more acidic. CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).

H2O(l) + CO2(g) = H2CO3(aq)

Carbonic acid ionizes in water to form low concentrations of carbonate and hydronium ions.

2H2O(l) + H2CO3(aq) = CO32-(aq) + 2H30+(aq)

Carbonic acid is a weak acid. It brings down the pH of the rain water to 6.0-5.2. With pH levels ranging between 6.0-5.2, rain water is acidic, but still not dangerous. This is a reversible reaction.

The problem occurs when rain water combines with gaseous oxides of sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphoric and hydrochloric acid mists. The latter two and sulfur are released into the atmosphere from automobile exhausts, industries and electric power plants. Nitrogen forms a major part of atmospheric composition. These chemicals bring down the acid rain pH level to 5.6-3.5. Sometimes, the pH level can even become as low as 2. This phenomenon of acidic rain water precipitation, is called acid rain. Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, hail, fog and dew are other forms of precipitation.

Chemistry of Acid Rain

Sulfuric acid and nitric acid are the main acids present in acid rain. Sulfuric acid is formed as follows:

Sulfur released into the atmosphere combines with atmospheric oxygen to form sulfur dioxide (SO2)

Sulfur dioxide reacts with atmospheric water to form sulfurous acid - SO2(g) + H20(l) = H2SO3(aq)

Sulfurous acid is also present in acid rain.

Sulfur dioxide gradually oxidizes to form sulfur trioxide (SO3) - 2SO2(g) = O2(g) = 2SO3(g)

Sulfur trioxide reacts with water to form Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) - SO3(g) + H20(l) = H2SO4(aq)

Nitrogen dioxide(NO2) is formed as follows:

Nitrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Nitrogen dioxide reacts with water to form nitrous acid (HNO2) and nitric acid (HNO3) - 2NO2(l) + H2O(l) = HNO2(aq) + HNO3(aq)

Acid rain is a mild combination of mainly sulfuric and nitric acid. Sulfurous acid and nitrous acid are less stable and are present only in very low amounts. Following are the various adverse effects of acid rain on living organisms and infrastructure.

Buildings and Monuments: Acid rain causes severe damage to buildings and marble statues. Acid rain reacts with the calcium carbonate (CaCo3) to form soluble calcium hydrogen carbonate or calcium bicarbonate, Ca(HCO3)2 - CaCO3 + Acid rain = Ca(HCO3)2(aq)

Calcium bicarbonate is a powdery substance, which is easily washed away with water or more specifically, rain water. This is the way acid rain has partly eroded many world-famous monuments and buildings like the Taj Mahal in India, St. Paul's Cathedral in London, and the Statue of Liberty in New York.

Acid rain can destroy stained glass windows in churches, bridges made of steel, and railway tracks. It corrodes metal, ruins the paint color, weakens leather and forms a crust on glass surfaces.

Trees and Plants: Acid rain washes away important minerals from leaves and soil. Acid rain also blocks the small pores on the leaves' surface, through which they take in carbon dioxide. With improper functioning of leaves, the growth of trees gets retarded. This results in a loss of leaves, stunted growth and damaged bark. Such trees are more prone to attacks by fungi and insects. This can even result in the death of trees.

Soil: Soil contains many harmful minerals such as mercury and aluminum. These elements can't be absorbed by plants and trees and are thus harmless. Upon contact with acid rain, these chemicals undergo chemical reactions with the acids. As a result, compounds of aluminum, lead and mercury are formed. Plants and trees can easily absorb these compounds. Such elements, which are extremely harmful to living forms, ultimately affect the entire food chain. These chemicals not only harm the flora, but also the animals that feed on them.

Water Bodies: Harmful substances like aluminum, lead and mercury, as discussed above, are washed away from the soil to neighboring water resources by the acid rain, thus resulting in water pollution. These chemicals and their acids do not allow the flora and fauna to grow and reproduce. This also results in depletion of oxygen levels in water, thereby making it difficult for fish to respire. They die due to suffocation and poisoning caused by the presence of these chemicals.

Birds that feed on fish that are affected by these harmful chemicals, accumulate these elements in their systems. These chemicals are then passed on to animals that feed on such birds. In this manner, chemicals get introduced to each trophic level of the food chain. In each trophic level, the concentration of chemicals gets multiplied. This phenomenon is known as biomagnification.

Human Health: Acid rain is harmful to human health. Drinking water contaminated by aluminium, mercury and lead is highly dangerous for human health.

Acids are very small and fine particles. They are normally in a liquid state. When they are present in the atmosphere, they easily enter the lungs while breathing. Research has proven that these particles can even lead to cancer.

Solutions to Acid Rain

Acid rain is potent enough to destroy life on Earth. It damages anything it comes in contact with. It ruins forests, water bodies, soil, infrastructure, and the health of living beings. It's high time we take all possible measures to control it. There is a solution to every problem, and acid rain is no exception. Take a look at the various measures we can take.Human beings should reduce the use of fossil fuels. This would lessen the emission of nitrogen and sulfur in the environment. Public transportation, car pools and walking can reduce nitrogen, sulfur and lead emissions into the atmosphere. Sulfur and nitrogen are mostly released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels (e.g. Coal). Switching over to alternative forms of energy such as geothermal, water, wind, and solar power would help to a great extent.

The Effects Of Acid Rain In Our Every Day Life

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The Process of Science: How Does Acid Rain Affect Trees

Acid rain is very harmful. It causes slower growth, injury and even the death of forests. It has caused damage all over the world even in the Great Smokey Mountains, where I live near. It does not directly kill trees, however what it does is weaken the trees and plants by limiting the nutrients available to them. It also can expose them to toxic chemicals that are released from the soil. Studies show that the combination of loss of soil nutrients and increase of toxic aluminum is the main way that acid rain harms trees.You have to realize also that when the runoff reaches our lakes, and rivers the chemicals are also present there. What is stressful to know is that the air high up in the mountains around me seem like they are nothing but fresh air, but sadly the fog surrounding them and other mountains are full of acidic clouds.

There are ways to reduce the effects of Acid rain. We may not be able to undo the damage already done, but we can prevent more from occurring. The EPA has started to limit the amount of NO and SO that is emitted into the atmosphere surrounding us. Cleaning exhaust pipes and also cleaning smoke stacks. Make sure your car has a catalytic converter to reduce the emission from vehicles. Use an alternative energy source. I Encourage this with my company that I run called Second Chance Fuel. There are ways to use less gas. and not run your car on gasoline that is created form oil that is from fossil fuel. Not only would the impact of the need for foreign oil be lessened but you are saving the trees that produce the oxygen we breath for future generations. There are many other sources of power out there if you are only willing to look. There is natural gas, batteries, fuel cells. Fuel cells is what I produce and many others have caught on the idea. Use solar power panels for your home, and yes you can build them yourself. The price should never be an excuse. For the damage right now you can reverse it by adding limestone. Limestone will replace the nutrients lost due to acid rain. Put it around all your plants and trees. Find ways to help support, fund or e or anything the placement of limestone around the trees you see all around you.

In conclusion Acid rain is a very serious problem one that can be fixed however. If everyone is willing to be more responsible and not be wasteful and living for the future. We have all had a part in causing this damage and we need to all have a part in fixing it. Acid rain is not the end of the world, it can be avoided, lets not let it become the end of our world.

Acid Rain

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What is this?

What is Acid Rain?

Pure rain is a slightly acidic, naturally-occurring substance formed when carbon dioxide mixes with the water vapor in earth’s atmosphere. The new vapor droplets gather together and create clouds. When those droplets become too heavy, gravity pulls them down as rain.

Acid rain is a problematic environmental issue produced from various sources of air pollution. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are pollutants emitted from transportation vehicles, use of solvents, and fires, but their primary source comes from industrial processes such as burning fossil fuels and generating electricity. It is the absorption of these pollutants into the air that creates the matter which descends as acid deposition (1), falling as dry particles or wet matter like rain, snow, and sleet. The pollutants mix with rain, acidic levels rise, and acid precipitation is born.

What impact does it have?

What impact does Acid Rain have?

The effects of acid rain are numerous. It upsets natural elements like lakes and streams, aquatic life, and forests, as well as affecting human-made artifacts like buildings and other outdoor structures, statues, and automobiles. Acid rain also puts human health at risk and reduces visibility.

Oceans, lakes, and streams have a normal pH (2) range of 6.0-8.0. However, unlike an ocean whose calcium carbonate offsets acidic compounds, when acid rain falls on the water and soil of lakes and streams, the limited buffering capacity (3) cannot neutralize the acid. Acid rain harms aquatic life by increasing aluminum levels in the water as the pH decreases. Aluminum is toxic to many water animals and plants. Though it is not an instant ailment, over time acid rain will kill the plants and animals, stunt their growth, and prevent the hatching of babies.

Acid rain, in combination with other factors such as air pollutants, insects, and extreme weather, causes the most damage to trees and forests. Soil buffering capacity differs depending on the amount and composition of soil and bedrock under the forest ground; therefore some areas barely show a sign of acid precipitation while others are destroyed by it. As with its effects on water, acid rain is not an instant threat to trees. In areas with a low buffering capacity, trees grow slowly and fragilely because of the decreased nutrients in acidic soil. Acid also eats at leaves, causing them to brown and fall off during seasons when they should be green and luscious.

Rugged materials like metal, paint, and stone, found in the outer surfaces of buildings, statues, bridges, and automobiles, erode when in contact with acid rain and acidic dry deposition. Monuments, tombstones, and other important societal or cultural structures are often damaged, lost by the dangerous pollutant.

Humans are not hurt by direct contact with acid rain; rather it is the sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide particles that cause harm to them. As these particles float through the air, they are breathed in to the human body, leading to heart and lung diseases. Also, eyes strain to see clearly through the haze created by acid deposition.

What has been done about it?

What has been done about Acid Rain?

There are a number of solutions to acid rain. Environmental organizations have worked hard to inform the public of the causes and effects of acid rain. People need to know what it is and why it occurs in order to begin resolution. Individuals can go green by turning off lights, televisions, and computers when not using them. They carpool or walk when possible, leave the household thermostat set steadily, and use energy-efficient appliances.

Small groups attempt outdoor clean-up activities. Lime, a natural basic compound, is added to lakes and streams to reverse the damage done to the ecosystem by acid deposition.

Industrial plants also go green by taking small (and large) steps to reduce pollutants from leaving their chimneys. Coal is washed before use to decrease surface pollutants, and some factories commit to using only coal with low sulfur content. Alternative energy sources, like hydropower, wind, and solar energy, are established to run pollution-free. Also, scrubbers4 are set up to remove sulfur compounds from coal combustion.

Is this action working?

Are Acid Rain reduction actions working?

Individual actions do help reduce acid rain-causing pollutants. Every little deed goes toward the big picture. If each person followed these simple green living steps, larger amounts of air pollutants would avoid entering the atmosphere.

Small groups or environmental organizations often go out into an affected area to clean up the pollution. Since acid deposition is invisible in its dry form and unnoticeable when wet, it is impossible to really clean it up. Only after careful examination, continuous studies, and a long wait time can the effects of acid rain be declared. However, it is known that acid deposition changes the chemistry of soil and water, so that it will take up to several years for things to return to normal. In Europe, specifically Sweden and Norway, lime is added to lakes and streams to neutralize acidic compounds, and they have had success in doing so. In the United States, on the other hand, liming is considered a short-term solution and is not usually carried out because it does not address effects of acid deposition on things other than lakes and streams, it does not readjust the soil and water chemistry, and it must be performed continuously to prevent acidity from returning.

Over the past decade, sulfur emissions from industrial plants have been reduced from the efforts taken by these factories. Using coal with low sulfur content logically produces less sulfur emissions, but it does not create the amount of heat that burning standard coal does. As a result, more coal will be collected for combustion purposes. Washing coal prior to use will rid the coal of its pyritic surfactants, but the chemically-imbedded sulfur will still be present. The use of scrubbers (4) has positive and negative effects. Though they do capture most, if not all, of the sulfur compounds, they leave a waste product, in powder or paste form, which must then be disposed of. The by-product can sometimes be recycled as drywall or other such products, but if it cannot, the waste is either stored or buried in a landfill. How much can be stored and how earth-safe the product is remain of great concern. Alternative energy is wonderful because it offers pollution-free, renewable sources, but these methods have not been established on a large enough scale to really be used successfully and cost-efficiently by all large energy producers.

Should it continue? On one side, there are those who are against

Should Acid Rain reduction actions continue?

As with most environmental issues, there is great debate in the worthwhileness of acid rain reduction efforts. All in all, efforts are circling around.

The actions taken by individual citizens to help lower the amount of air pollution emissions which lead to acid rain are very small-scale compared to the solutions large, industrialized plants have to offer. Nonetheless, green living is important in showing that even baby steps can take you where you want to be, and most people agree.

Liming river, lakes, and streams in attempts to decrease acidity, at least for the United States, has not proven beneficial. Though it does help, it becomes a very time-consuming process, and since it must be constantly repeated, it also becomes quite costly. Government organizations feel that money can be better budgeted towards other efforts.

Unfortunately, the process of planning, licensing, and producing devices and control systems to slow the release of acid rain-causing pollutants can take years and unimaginable amounts of money. Some people feel that any reduction in emissions is worth whatever it takes, while others feel this strong effort is then only good for the 30 or so years a factory remains open.

Industrial plants have tested various solutions, but so far, nothing is full proof. In an ironic twist, past studies showed that, as the sulfur emissions were cut, there was a decrease in alkaline particles, which help to balance acidic emissions in the air. This creates the need for more pollution reduction efforts and circles back to the starting line.

New Solutions For Acid Rain

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Most people have heard of acid rain, widely discussed as a threat to forests downwind from coal-fired power plants. Acid rain is primarily caused by sulfur dioxide (SO2), a byproduct of burning coal, oil or gas that is tinged with sulfur. Because sulfur is a commonly occurring element, it is virtually impossible to find deposits of these fossil fuels that do not contain sulfur. When sulfur dioxide is emitted as these fuels are burned, it enters the atmosphere and reacts with water. The outcome of this reaction is sulfuric acid (H2SO4); it is this acid that gives the rain its name.

Not a Recent Problem

Most nations have moved to burning low-sulfur fossil fuels such as low-sulfur coal. Since acid rain hasn't been in the news lately, it is assumed by the public to be a t hreat that has passed and in fact the measures put in place in the 1980's and 90's have made a significant impact on the problem. Upon closer examination though, the rain downwind from fossil fuel power plants is still acidic.

As one can see, there was a significant reduction in the acidity of the rain, especially in the Great Lakes region over the intervening years. That said, the pH of 'clean', natural rain is about 5.6; as a reference, vinegar stands around 3.0. Given this, the rain in the region is still quite acidic and capable of causing significant environmental issues.

The Impact of Sulfur Dioxide

After it has reacted in the atmosphere, sulfur dioxide falls to the Earth as acid rain. The most obvious impact of acid rain is one that we can visibly see. Plant life suited to normal-pH rain does not thrive well and will die in acid rain regions. The forests of Europe were devastated by acid rain. Figure 3 is an area of the Black Forest in Germany where there was significant tree-die-off from acid rain.

Effects that are not seen, however, may be even more significant. When acid rain falls in lakes, rivers and streams, the pH of the water is altered. Lakes that become acidified cannot support the variety of life that they once did. Crayfish, freshwater clams and muscles are the first to disappear and as these creatures are removed from the food chain, others begin to die, as well. Lakes in

limestone-rich areas are less prone to these die-offs as the limestone can neutralize the acid; lakes in regions where granite is common do not have this natural buffer and are the first to show such distress.

In addition, as the aquatic populations are reduced, the animals that rely upon the lakes for food and shelter are also impacted. Fish-eating birds and land mammals migrate to other areas and frogs, snails and other lake-dwellers die off from one generation to the next.

Didn't We Already Solve the Problem? What More Can Be Done?

One solution employed in the 1980's and 90's was to build higher stacks or chimneys. This effectively put the sulfur higher into the atmosphere and the acid rain moved further downwind. It quickly became obvious that this was just pushing the problem – not solving it. In fact in 1988, Prince Charles of Britain recognized this, saying: "Our responsibilities do lie in not exporting our problems

abroad."

The ending to this story doesn't need to be so gloomy, though. There are new technologies that are being employed at power plants around the world. One such technology is flue gas desulfurization or FSD, essentially removing the sulfur dioxide from the combustion gases as they ascend the chimney flue. The three main methods employed to accomplish FSD are wet-scrubbing, dry-scrubbing, and injection. In wet and dry scrubbing, the two most commonly used methods; a slurry of limestone or lime is sprayed through the chimney as the gases rise. This lime reacts with the SO2 and the resulting compounds 'rain' down to be collected at the chimney's base.

There are also emerging technologies that could surpass the efficacy of lime scrubbing. The Chendu power plant in China and the Pomorzany power plant in Poland have installed new technology in which the flue gases are blasted with electrons and then exposed to ammonia. This reaction is said to leave little un-reacted SO2 that will escape the chimney and additionally it shows a similar

reduction in nitrous oxide (NOx). Though still in the early stages of testing, this may lead to very clean power plants in the developing world offering hope that the same problems that plagued Europe and North America, such as acid rain, might be avoided as these emerging economies expand and develop in the 21st century.

Different Area effect of Acid rain

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Pollution effects are indeed many and wide-ranging.

There is no doubt that excessive levels of pollution are causing a lot of damage to human & animal health, plants & trees including tropical rainforests, as well as the wider environment.

All types of pollution – air, water and soil pollution – have an impact on the living environment.

The effects in living organisms may range from mild discomfort to serious diseases such as cancer to physical deformities; ex., extra or missing limbs in frogs.

Experts admit that pollution effects are quite often underestimated and that more research is needed to understand the connections between pollution and its effects on all life forms.

Environmental Pollution Effects on Humans

We know that pollution causes not only physical disabilities but also psychological and behavioral disorders in people.

We are discussing the effects of air pollution and specific air pollutants in more detail in the Air Pollutants article.

The following pollution effects on humans have been reported:

Air Pollution Effects (1, 2)

Reduced lung functioning
Irritation of eyes, nose, mouth and throat
Asthma attacks
Respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing
- Increased respiratory disease such as bronchitis
- Reduced energy levels
- Headaches and dizziness
- Disruption of endocrine, reproductive and immune systems
- Neurobehavioral disorders
- Cardiovascular problems
- Cancer
- Premature death
Water Pollution Effects (3)
Waterborne diseases caused by polluted drinking water:
- Typhoid
- Amoebiasis
- Giardiasis
- Ascariasis
- Hookworm
Waterborne diseases caused by polluted beach water:
- Rashes, ear ache, pink eye
- Respiratory infections
- Hepatitis, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach aches
Conditions related to water polluted by chemicals (such as pesticides, hydrocarbons, persistent organic pollutants,

- Cancer, incl. prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Hormonal problems that can disrupt reproductive and developmental processes
- Damage to the nervous system
- Liver and kidney damage
- Damage to the DNA
- Exposure to mercury (heavy metal):

- - In the womb: may cause neurological problems including slower reflexes, learning deficits, delayed or incomplete mental development, autism and brain damage
  - In adults: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and even death
  Soil Pollution Effects (4)
  Causes cancers including leukaemia
  Lead in soil is especially hazardous for young children causing developmental damage to the brain
  Mercury can increase the risk of kidney damage; cyclodienes can lead to liver toxicity
  Causes neuromuscular blockage as well as depression of the central nervous system
  Also causes headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation and skin rash
  Other notes:
  Contact with contaminated soil may be direct (from using parks, schools etc) orindirect (by inhaling soil contaminants which have vaporized)
  Soil pollution may also result from secondary contamination of water supplies and from deposition of air contaminants (for example, via acid rain)
  Contamination of crops grown in polluted soil brings up problems with food security
  Since it is closely linked to water pollution, many effects of soil contamination appear to be similar to the ones caused by water contamination
  Environmental Pollution Effects on Animals
  Effects of Pollution on Animals - Air Pollution (5)
  Acid rain (formed in the air) destroys fish life in lakes and streams
  Excessive ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun through the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere which is eroded by some air pollutants, may cause skin cancer in wildlife
  Ozone in the lower atmosphere may damage lung tissues of animals

- Effects of Pollution on Animals - Water Pollution (6)
  Nutrient pollution (nitrogen, phosphates etc) causes overgrowth of toxic algae eaten by other aquatic animals, and may cause death; nutrient pollution can also cause outbreaks of fish diseases
  Chemical contamination can cause declines in frog biodiversity and tadpole mass
  Oil pollution (as part of chemical contamination) can negatively affect development of marine organisms, increase susceptibility to disease and affect reproductive processes; can also cause gastrointestinal irritation, liver and kidney damage, and damage to the nervous system
  Mercury in water can cause abnormal behavior, slower growth and development, reduced reproduction, and death
  Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may cause declines, deformities and death of fish life
  Too much sodium chloride (ordinary salt) in water may kill animals (7)
  Other notes:
  We also assume that some higher forms of non-aquatic animals may have similar effects from water pollution as those experienced by humans, as described above

- Effects of Pollution on Animals - Soil Pollution (8)
  Can alter metabolism of microorganisms and arthropods in a given soil environment; this may destroy some layers of the primary food chain, and thus have a negative effect on predator animal species
  Small life forms may consume harmful chemicals which may then be passed up the food chain to larger animals; this may lead to increased mortality rates and even animal extinction
  Environmental Pollution Effects on Trees and Plants
  Air Pollution (9)
  Acid rain can kill trees, destroy the leaves of plants, can infiltrate soil by making it unsuitable for purposes of nutrition and habitation
  Ozone holes in the upper atmosphere can allow excessive ultraviolet radiation from the sun to enter the Earth causing damage to trees and plants
  Ozone in the lower atmosphere can prevent plant respiration by blocking stomata (openings in leaves) and negatively affecting plants’ photosynthesis rates which will stunt plant growth; ozone can also decay plant cells directly by entering stomata
  Water Pollution
  May disrupt photosynthesis in aquatic plants and thus affecting ecosystems that depend on these plants (10)
  Terrestrial and aquatic plants may absorb pollutants from water (as their main nutrient source) and pass them up the food chain to consumer animals and humans
  Plants may be killed by too much sodium chloride (ordinary slat) in water (11)
  Plants may be killed by mud from construction sites as well as bits of wood and leaves, clay and other similar materials (12)
  Plants may be killed by herbicides in water; herbicides are chemicals which are most harmful to plants (13)

- Soil Pollution
  May alter plant metabolism and reduce crop yields (14)
  Trees and plants may absorb soil contaminants and pass them up the food chain

- Environmental Pollution Effects on Wider Environment
  Apart from destroying the aquatic life in lakes and streams, acid rain can also corrode metals, damage surfaces of buildings and monuments, and cause soil acidification.
  Pollution of water may cause oxygen depletion in marine environments and severely affect the health of whole ecosystems. (15)

The Effects of Acid Rain

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The effects of acid rain are widely known. This article will provide some information. Acid rain contains a pH of less than4 and is produced by rain water falling through volcanic emissions. Acid rain describes any form of precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. Acid rain has many ecological effects, but none is greater than its impact on lakes, streams, wetlands, and other aquatic environments. Acid rain makes waters acidic and causes them to absorb the aluminum that makes its way from soil into lakes and streams. It also damages forests, especially those at higher elevations. Acid rain flows into streams, lakes, and marshes after falling on forests, fields, buildings, and roads. Acid rain also falls directly on aquatic habitats.

Acid rain primarily affects sensitive bodies of water, which are located in watersheds whose soils have a limited ability to neutralize acidic compounds (called "buffering capacity"). Acid rain causes a cascade of effects that harm or kill individual fish, reduce fish population numbers, completely eliminate fish species from a waterbody, and decrease biodiversity. Acid rain control will produce significant benefits in terms of lowered surface water acidity.

Acid rain pollution is a problem that affects everyone. The effects of Acid rain are mainly created by the combination of sulfur and oxide mixing with moisture for the sky. Acid rain is considered one of the biggest environmental problems faced by the world today. Acid rain is also acid deposits resulting from sulfurs and oxides mixing with drops of rain or snow, and then dropping to the ground or rivers. Acid rain will only be controlled by a global agreement and re-enforcement of laws to protect the environment.

This problem in the Northeast is not just about lakes without fish, but also about forests losing their trees and soils that hoard acid before leaching it back out to contaminate local waters all over again, according to a scientific study of upstate New York and New England. Acid rain is a result of air pollution. It is much, much weaker than this, never acidic enough to burn your skin. Acid rain can effect trees in several different ways, it may: dissolve and wash away the nutrients and minerals in the soil which help the trees to grow. Acid rain is not something that you hear a lot about these days but that doesn't make it any less of a problem. Acid rain affects everything on the planet.

Acid rain, however, is the result of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides entering the atmosphere. Acid rain refers to precipitation, both wet and dry, that is acidic in nature. Acid rain is associated with atmospheric pollution. Acid rain with pH readings well below 2. It has an adverse impact on our forests, soils, flora and fauna that thrive in various ecosystems, and human health. Acid rain and wetlands can delay or even reverse recovery of lakes from the effects of acid rain. acid rain attacks the leaves and dissolve their waxy coating.

Acid rain is the term given to all forms of acid precipitation (rain, hail, snow, fog etc). This is a global problem as the acidic clouds can be blown 1000's of kilometers before precipitation occurs. Acid rain tends to result in toxic metal ions being released from the soil into lakes or soil water thus killing fish and trees. Acid rain also has been found to speed up the natural decay of stone monuments and historical buildings.

Acid rain is directly linked air pollution. Acid rain precipitates from the atmosphere to the surface of the Earth. Acid rain must be controlled by the reduction of SO22 and NOx emissions in order to preserve plant and animal lives. Acid rain is caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. Effects of acid rain are sometimes far removed from the source of pollutants.

Acid rain is a serious environmental problem that affects large parts of the United States and Canada. Acid rain is particularly damaging to lakes, streams, and forests and the plants and animals that live in these ecosystems. Acid rain occurs when these gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. Acid Rain Part of the Encyclopedia of the Atmospheric Environment, this website is presented by the Centre for Air Transport and the Environment's Atmosphere, Climate, & Environment Information program.

Acid rain was discovered in 1963 in North America at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, site of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, in rain that was some 100 times more acidic than unpolluted rain. Acid rain is rainfall that has been acidified. Acid rain is formed when pollutants called oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, contained in power plant smoke, factory smoke, and car exhaust, react with the moisture in the atmosphere. Acid rain can cause buildings, statues and bridges to deteriorate faster than usual. Acid rain also damages soil and the tree roots in it. Acid rain can also harm people indirectly. Acid rain, one of the most important environmental problems of all, cannot be seen. Acid rain moves easily, affecting locations far beyond those that let out the pollution.

Acid rain in combination with ozone may damage the waxy coating on leaves and needles. Acid rain does not respect political boundaries. Acid rain produced by air pollution generated in the heavily industrialized Ruhr region of Germany probably accounts for the severe damage. Acid rain disrupts the process of photosynthesis resulting in damage to plant life.

Acid rain affects the landscape on which it falls in numerous ways, including leaching calcium out of the soil. Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic. Acid rain is mostly caused by human emissions of sulfur and nitrogen compounds which react in the atmosphere to produce acids. Acid Rain: a problem which concerns us all The United States and Canada suffer greatly from acid rain because of the inability of the soil to neutralize the acidity naturally, lacking alkalinity. Acid rain is the broad term used to describe several ways that a weak solution of inorganic acids, such as nitric and sulfuric acid, falls out of the atmosphere as rain, snow, mist and fog. Acid rain triggers a number of inorganic and biochemical reactions with deleterious environmental effects, making this a growing environmental problem worldwide. Acid rain forms when molecules of oxidized sulfur and/or nitrogen in the atmosphere combine with water, forming acidic compounds that dissolve in the water that becomes rain.

Acidification is also a problem in lakes that were not surveyed in federal research projects. Acidity is measured using a scale called the pH scale. Acidic deposition also may occur in a dry form when acidic compounds attach to particulates (dust) and return to earth. Acid aerosols are mixtures of several different pollutants including particles (large and small), strong acids (e. Acid deposition also has been connected to elevated mercury concentrations in fish and fish-eating wildlife such as the common loon, mink, otter, and eagles. Acidic rain kills many lake fish species and damages the lakes' general health.

Acid-rain damage can easily chop $1,000 off your car's value at trade-in time. Acid deposition has led to the destruction of sensitive flora and inhabitants of our fresh water biomes. Acidification of lakes results in a decrease in species diversity as fewer and fewer species can survive as the pH decreases. Acidity in rain is measured by collecting samples of rain and measuring its pH. Acidic water can flow over and through the ground, affecting plants, animals, soils, and bodies of water. Acid deposition degrades water quality by lowering pH levels (i. Acid deposition is the major cause of red spruce decline at high elevations in the Northeast. Acid episodes are particularly harmful to aquatic life because abrupt changes in water chemistry allow fish few areas of refuge. Acid deposition has altered and continues to alter soils in parts of the Northeast in three ways. Acid deposition depletes calcium and other base cations from the soil; facilitates the mobilization of dissolved inorganic aluminum (hereafter referred to simply as aluminum) into soil water; and increases the accumulation of sulfur and nitrogen in the soil. Acid deposition results in the accumulation of sulfur and nitrogen in forest soils.

Acidic water dissolves the nutrients and helpful minerals in the soil. Acid deposition changes the chemistry of the environment. Acid deposition is the falling of acids from the atmosphere to the earth's surface. Acid shock produced by such melting kills fish by altering their body chemistry, reducing oxygen intake, and disrupting muscle conditions. Acid deposition also destroys statues, headstones, buildings, and fountains. Acid directly interferes with the ability of fish to take in oxygen, salt, and other nutrients needed to stay alive. Acidic conditions in the water cause mucus to form in the gills of fish, and prevents them from absorbing oxygen from the surrounding waters

Acid particles are also deposited onto buildings and statues causing corrosion. Acid/Gas control—Wet scrubbers —Dry scrubbers —Flue gas desulfurization.

Recent and current policies to reduce acid precipitation and Nitrogen emissions are shifting the problem from one area to another While emissions are remaining stable or decreasing in already Heavily impacted areas, they are increasing in formerly "clean" or relatively unimpacted areas (including other countries. Acid rain also has a damaging effect on metal pipes and fittings. Acid Rain deposition changes the chemistry of the environment. Acid rain is an extremely destructive form of pollution, and. Acid rain does not usually kill trees directly. Acid rain can harm other plants in the same way it harms trees. Acid Rain's Effects on Plants and Wildlife An article on the effects of acid rain on plants, wildlife, and humans. Acid Rain Webquest If you are looking for any additional activities to challenge older or more advanced students, this webquest puts students in roles of chemist, ecologist, health scientist, or economist to examine the issue from that perspective.

Acid rain is formed by the oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen containing compounds which have both natural and human caused emissions. It also accelerates weathering in carbonate rocks and accelerates building weathering. Acid rain from power plants in the midwest United States has also harmed the forests of upstate New York and New England. Acid rain was first reported in Manchester, England, which was an important city during the Industrial Revolution. Acid in water inhibits the production of enzymes which enable trout larvae to escape their eggs. Acid rain can cause erosion on ancient and valuable statues and has caused considerable damage. Acid Rain is harmful to our environment in three major ways: by contact with plants, by contact with soil and water, by mobilizing trace metals. Acid rain damages areas with shallow soil more that other areas. Acid rain (acid deposition) is a fairly large term that describes the ways in which acid comes from the atmosphere. Acid water is known to dissolve nutrients and wash them away before trees and plants can use them. Acid rain brains the soil of many valuable nutrients, while increasing the levels of more carcinogenic elements in the soil like aluminum, which inhibits the intake of water and minerals.

Acids can react chemically with some kinds of rocks. Acid rain has been a major concern of ecologists around the world. Acid rain is rain that has been mixed with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that come from the combustion of fossil fuels. Acid rain has rendered 212 lakes in the Adirondacks unfit for fish. Acid Rain is said to have a devastating effect on the forests of the world.

In the mid-Appalachians, approximately 30 percent of sensitive streams are likely to become acidic during an episode. This level is seven times the number of chronically acidic streams in that area. sources also contribute to acidic deposition in eastern Canada, where the soil is very similar to the soil of the Adirondack Mountains, and the lakes are consequently extremely vulnerable to chronic acidification problems. The Canadian government has estimated that 14,000 lakes in eastern Canada are acidic. As acid rain flows through soils in a watershed, aluminum is released from soils into the lakes and streams located in that watershed. Some types of plants and animals are able to tolerate acidic waters. Others, however, are acid-sensitive and will be lost as the pH declines. The chart below shows that not all fish, shellfish, or the insects that they eat can tolerate the same amount of acid; for example, frogs can tolerate water that is more acidic (i. For example, frogs may tolerate relatively high levels of acidity, but if they eat insects like the mayfly, they may be affected because part of their food supply may disappear. Thus, as lakes and streams become more acidic, the numbers and types of fish and other aquatic plants and animals that live in these waters decrease. Nitrogen plays a significant role in episodic acidification and new research recognizes the importance of nitrogen in long-term chronic acidification as well. If acidic deposition levels were to remain constant over the next 50 years (the time frame used for projection models), the acidification rate of lakes in the Adirondack Mountains that are larger than 10 acres would rise by 50 percent or more. Scientists predict, however, that the decrease in SO2 emissions required by the Acid Rain Program will significantly reduce acidification due to atmospheric sulfur. Without the reductions in SO2 emissions, the proportions of acidic aquatic ecosystems would remain high or dramatically worsen.

The scientific and medical literature was reviewed to determine the relationship between acid rain and human illness. Although 'acid rain' or more properly acid deposition is a relatively new environmental issue, Robert Angus Smith described the condition in the highly industrialized city of Manchester, England, in 1872. While not precisely characterized, the mechanism of its formation appears to proceed from the photolytic transformation of sulfur and nitrogen oxides into sulfates and nitrates which in turn, in the presence of moisture, yield sulfuric and nitric acids. These oxides and acids have been associated with diminished fish populations, and malformations in a variety of estaurine species in Europe, the U.

Concern that acid rain may be a health hazard is widespread in our population. This review seeks to ascertain both the direct and indirect effects of acid precipitation by analyzing the salient scientific literature. As a consequence of pollution abatement efforts the next 15 to 20 years should witness a reduction in acid levels. Hence, a significant threat to public health via acid rain currently or in the the foreseeable future, should not be expected. Although acid rain' or more properly acid deposition, is a relatively new environmental issue in the United States, the term itself was advanced by Robert Angus Smith as early as 18721. Twenty years earlier in an article written for the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester (England) he remarked relative to that city's air that "we may therefore find easily three kinds of air, that with carbonate of ammonia in the fields at a distance, that with sulphate of ammonia in the suburbs, and that with sulphuric acid, or acid sulphate, in the town. " He noted that it was the free sulfuric acid in Manchester's air which caused the fading of colors in textile as well as the rusting of metals2. Currently there is an emerging scientific consensus that acid precipitation has destroyed life in some fresh water lakes and streams, particularly in northeastern United States and Canada, and has damaged buildings and other structures. Debate continues about the effects of acid rain on trees and plants and on human health. The following remark is contained in its summary: "acidic deposition (from precipitation) must contribute to acidification somewhere in the ecosystem. The deposition inputs may be over whelmed by the natural acidification process, however, and not cause measurable changes. " Nevertheless, in January 1986, President Reagan's special representative on acid rain together with Canada's representative on the high-level acid rain panel, concluded in their report that acid rain is "a serious environmental problem". Whether acid rain is or is not a man-made pollutant, there is concern among the general public as to its potential for adverse health effects. This review seeks to determine both the direct and indirect effects of acid precipitation on human health, by analyzing the salient scientific documents, published papers and summaries of national and international conferences. Send your articles, photographs or news about Facts About Acid Rain. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a position on acid rain. Their primary goal is to make changes to current rules and laws to resolve the issue of acid rain. Three environmentalists made national news by climbing to the top of a smoke stack in order to draw attention to the negligence of manufacturers in making the necessary changes to reduce acid rain. If man neglects and minimizes the threat of acid rain, his children and the following generations will have a bigger problem to deal with.

New laws are created to control and hopefully reverse the effects of acid rain. Governments are working in concert with manufacturers to reduce the emission levels of pollutants causing acid rain. The amount of acid rain can be greatly reduced by such simple actions like lowering oneís electricity consummation switching to other energy sources. The effects of acid rain are felt worldwide. Winds are also carriers of acid in the air, in a drier form. The effects of acid rain are dangerous because they are seen on water supplies, the environment, wildlife, and plant life. Everyone has a role to play in reducing acid rain and daily small gestures will amount to tangible results. One has also to participate in environmental debates and forums and pressure their existing government to take a strong stand on the acid rain issue. that we act this year to reduce the pollutants that cause acid rain," said Timothy J. Even where nesting habitat remains, fragmentation of that habitat has increased the threat of cowbird parasitism, while the effects of acid rain are further reducing nesting success. Some of these gases (especially nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide) react with the tiny droplets of water in clouds to form sulphuric and nitric acids. 0 is the most acidic and 14 is the most alkaline (opposite of acidic). Something with a pH value of 7, we call neutral, this means that it is neither acidic nor alkaline. Very strong acids will burn if they touch your skin and can even destroy metals. Rain is always slightly acidic because it mixes with naturally occurring oxides in the air. When the air becomes more polluted with nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide the acidity can increase to a pH value of 4. The Effects of Acid Rain Acid rain can be carried great distances in the atmosphere, not just between countries but also from continent to continent. The acid can also take the form of snow, mists and dry dusts. Is acid rain responsible for all this. Scientists have been doing a lot of research into how acid rain affects the environment. It is thought that acid rain can cause trees to grow more slowly or even to die but scientists have found that it is not the only cause. The same amount of acid rain seems to have more effect in some areas than it does in others. As acid rain falls on a forest it trickles through the leaves of the trees and runs down into the soil below. Other soils are already slightly acidic and these are particularly susceptible to the effects of acid rain. It is not just trees that are affected by acid rain, other plants may also suffer. Lakes and Rivers It is in aquatic habitats that the effects of acid rain are most obvious. As the acidity of a lake increases, the water becomes clearer and the numbers of fish and other water animals decline. Some species of plant and animal are better able to survive in acidic water than others. Freshwater shrimps, snails, mussels are the most quickly affected by acidification followed by fish such as minnows, salmon and roach. The roe and fry (eggs and young) of the fish are the worst affected, the acidity of the water can cause deformity in young fish and can prevent eggs from hatching properly. The acidity of the water does not just affect species directly, it also causes toxic substances like aluminium to be released into the water from the soil, harming fish and other aquatic animals. Water, wind, ice and snow all help in the erosion process but unfortunately, acid rain can help to make this natural process even quicker.

The worst affected are things made from limestone or sandstone as these types of rock are particularly susceptible and can be affected by air pollution in gaseous form as well as by acid rain. It was in southern Scandinavia in the late 1950's that the problems of acid rain were first observed and it was then that people began to realise that the origins of this pollution were far away in Britain and Northern Europe. The wind carries the pollution many hundreds of miles away where it eventually falls as acid rain. In this way Britain has contributed at least 16% of the acid deposition in Norway. Over ninety percent of Norway's acid pollution comes from other countries. Governments are now beginning to admit that acid rain is a serious environmental problem and many countries are now taking steps to reduce the amount of sulphur and nitrogen emissions. These are 'clean' as far as acid rain goes but what other impact do they have on our environment.

One of the biggest natural causes of it include the eruption of volcanoes. These harmful gasses fill the air and then they combine with the moisture forming acidic clouds that eventually leads to rain which is acidic. It's important to realize that the term acid rain also refers to any type of moisture that falls from the sky such as, fog, dew and snow as well as rain. The effects of acid rain are certainly undesirable and something that everyone on the planet should be aware of. You may not hear much about acid rain with all the other more immediate problems the world is facing. What do we know about the effects of acid rain in Wisconsin. The effects of acid rain are evident in New York's Adirondack Mountains, in Germany's Black Forest, and industrial urban areas around the world--and the picture is not a pretty one. While acid rain has not caused such severe problems in Wisconsin as in the places mentioned above, it is still an air pollution issue that generates concern among the state's residents. While pure rain is naturally slightly acidic, the higher level of acidity in acid rain makes it a threat to plant and aquatic life and to some manmade materials and structures.

The slight natural acidity of pure rain is the result of carbon dioxide in the air dissolving in water to produce a weak carbonic acid solution. This natural acid in rainfall and snowmelt is partly responsible for the long, slow weathering of soil and rocks. Once these chemicals are released into the atmosphere, they combine with moisture, change chemically, and return to earth in the form of acidic rain, snow or fog. These acids can overwhelm the neutralizing capacity of some soils and lake water. Simply stated, the environment is sometimes unable to defend itself against the effects of these acids. Back to TopHow do we measure acidity. Chemists use a pH test that measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a chemical solution to determine the solution's relative acidity or alkalinity. This test rates the solution's acidity/alkalinity on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH value of 1 is very acidic (like battery acid), while a pH value of 14 is very alkaline (like lye).

Many factors affect whether, or at what rate, acidification due to acid rain occurs in bodies of water. However, bodies of water that are low in alkalinity or acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) are considered especially vulnerable to the effects of acid rain. A body of water is considered "acidic" if it does not have any acid neutralizing capacity. As a body of water becomes more acidic, it loses some of its biodiversity as the more acid-sensitive species of plant and animal life die off or experience a decrease in reproductive success.

The degree of threat from acid rain depends on the vulnerability of plant and animal species in that body of water to an acidic environment. According to the DNR's Surface Water Resources Data Base, approximately 2 percent of the state's lakes are acidic. An additional 10 percent are "extremely sensitive" to acid rain, 25 percent are "moderately sensitive" and 60 percent are not sensitive. Surveys done in northern parts of Wisconsin, however, where most of the state's lakes are located, show that these areas have an even greater incidence of acidic lakes. Environmental Protection Agency showed that up to 9 percent of lakes in the northeast and north central region were acidic. On the other hand, Wisconsin's streams are not considered to be sensitive to the effects of acid rain. A direct effect of acid deposition on human health results from exposure to acid aerosols inhaled from the surrounding air. sulfuric acid), weak acids and vapors (e. Long-term exposure to acid aerosols is known to damage lung tissue and contribute to the development of respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, especially in children and the elderly. Researchers believe that acidification of bodies of water increases the formation and movement of methylmercury--a toxic form ofmercury--into the aquatic food chain.

Pollutants associated with it interfere with light transmission in the atmosphere which results in reduced visibility. In addition to damaging building materials, acid rain can also cause increased weathering of historic structures and outdoor art objects, such as the Bradley Sculpture Garden in Milwaukee. Wisconsin passed one of the first and strongest state acid rain control laws in the nation in 1986, making the state a leader in acid rain policy. Meanwhile, Congress passed the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 which also contain strong acid rain control measures. These measures--especially the state law--are credited with a reduction in emissions that has been associated with a noticeable decrease in the acidity of rainfall in the state. The most recent analysis of wet acid precipitation data (1990) indicates that the annual average pH in Wisconsin ranged from 4. Because a substantial amount of the acid rain that falls in Wisconsin results from pollution sources within the state, there are a number of things Wisconsin residents can do to combat the acid rain problem. Using electrical energy wisely could have a significant impact because a lot of the emissions that contribute to acid rain originate from coal-burning electric power plants.

With a combination of education and action, Wisconsin residents can continue to reduce acid rain and help preserve the natural beauty of the state for ourselves and for generations to come. For more information about acid rain in Wisconsin, contact:. In addition to the green house gas effect, the acidification of rain water that results from excessive emission of sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the air. The most prominent result is dilute acid formation in our rainwater. Presence of these acids increases the acidity of rain water. Rain water is naturally acidic due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the air.

Rain in the mid-Pacific and in the central Indian Ocean was found to be acidic,(1) no doubt due to polluters in Pittsburgh, Pa. who pulled ice core samples from glaciers in the Himalayas, including one dating back 350 years, found them laden with acid,(2) no doubt due to the hitherto unsuspected Great Nepalese Industrial Revolution of the mid-17th century. It has also been pointed out that the amounts of coal mined and burned in the US in the 1920's, 1930's and mid-1940's were not very different from today, lending support to the theory that increased rain acidity may in part be caused by the shortage of alkaline particles which used to neutralize the acidity of stack gases, but which are now removed by pollution control equipment. None of which is to say that coal-fired plants can be ruled out as one of the causes of acid rain. What is certain is that the origins and effects of acid rain are as yet largely unknown, and that politicians will always be eager to legislate before it is too late i. The amount of H can determine whether the substance is acidic or basic (alkaline). Environmental Impacts Effects of acid rain are worse in those regions that: Are downwind of industrial areas Do not contain calcium carbonate in rocks and soils to reduce acidity Primary cause of acid rain is from nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), from automobile and coal-fired power plant emissions, which transform into nitric & sulfuric acid Resulting acidic rain precipitates to the ground, rendering waterways too acidic to support aquatic life. Peninsula, OH Most organisms are adapted to live within a specific range of pH, thus, even a slight change may be fatal Acid mine drainage, from coal mining and other resource extraction, contains sulfuric acid (H2SO4) which can break off an extra H , lowering the pH Acidic water, low pH, releases metals, which can harm aquatic life Average pH of natural creek water in Pennsylvania is between 6. The determination of the chemical composition of rocks involves the crushing and breakdown of rocks until they are in small enough pieces that decomposition by hot acids (hydrofluoric, nitric, hydrochloric, and perchloric acids) allows the elements present to enter into solution for analysis. The effects of acid rain are of great concern to geologists not only for the potential damage to the biosphere, but also because acid rain accelerates the weathering process. Rainwater is made acidic as it passes through the atmosphere. Although rain becomes naturally acidic as it contacts nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, many industrial pollutants bring about reactions that bring the acidity of rainwater to dangerous levels.

Increased levels of carbon dioxide from industrial pollution can increase the formation of carbonic acid. Precipitation of this "acid rain" adversely affects both geological and biological systems. Although a neutral solution has a pH value of 7, even in pre-industrial times natural rainwater was slightly acid with a pH value of 5. Read all of this article with a FREE trial to HighBeam Research Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research (Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies) Control Acid Rain and Sulfur Dioxide Pollution, Improve Environmental Quality Magazine article from: China Chemical Reporter ;. What is more, acid rain frequently appears. Beijing makes acid rain blacklist Sulfur dioxide emissions treatment cuts problem in south. "Chemicals in acid rain react with paint to form sulfuric and nitric. "Acid rain is a big problem in the United States and Maryland. Efforts to control acid rain have had been stalled for the. The report also said that acid rain is contributing to the erosion of buildings. But he said many people involved in the acid rain debate told him it had little news value.

Water quality in Adirondack lakes responding to acid rain regulations. And while acid rain is not directly harmful to human health, the pollutants that cause acid rain (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Summit unlikely to spur quick action on acid rain controls. "A sucessful acid rain program must look at all the. Proposals Most of the acid rain control programs that have. Find more facts and information related to the article "acid rain" Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: Search HighBeam™ Research, Inc. The result of human-induced emissions, acid rain has grave effects on the planet's flora and fauna and different ecosystems. Precipitation like sleet, rain, snow or dry acidic components that have a pH of less than 4. Today, a myriad of highly deleterious environmental effects of acid rain are being researched upon. Every subsequent decrease in the pH value is indicative of a greater acidic composition. The acidification is largely triggered by the increased presence of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. Emissions from the burning of fossil fuel, industry combustion, wildfires and volcanic eruptions add to the existent quantum of acid-producing gases in the atmosphere. The other causes of acid rain are emissions from electricity generating plants and motor vehicles.

Acid Rain

2011-01-04T19:19:00.000-08:00

Acid rain is precipitation that is unusually acidic. It can be in the form of rain, snow, sleet,fog , clouds It can be very harmful to plants and animals that are found in water. Acidic rain is caused by emissions of sulfur and nitrogen that react in the atmosphere creating acid. Sulfur dioxide is the most important gas that leads to the formation of acid rain. On the pH scale, the common precipitation has a pH level of 5.2 with 7 being the midpoint. Higher than 7 is a base and lower than 7 is acidic. Some heavily industrial areas have precipitation that has been measured with a pH level of 2.4. Some of the lowest acidic precipitation can be found in parts of Scandinavia.

Not only is acid rain harmful to the plants it falls on, but it is also terrible for the animals. Acid rain often makes its way into streams and rivers increasing the level of aluminum which is toxic to fish. Killing plantlife and fish in the water as well as food for fish also, fish find it difficult to reproduce and eggs don't hatch.Acid rain can also be attributed to the destruction of stuctures and buildings, it rots the wood in houses and makes structures weaker. As if that wasn't enough, acid rain and fog has been linked to certain lung problems in children and people with asthma even people with good health could have their lungs damaged by acid rain and fog.

Acid Fog, clouds and rain damage trees in two primary ways the first being, that acid rain destroys foilage and needles on trees leaving the tree defenseless against certain things such as temperature. The second immensely damaging thing acid rain does to trees is destroy the nutrients in soil making it difficult for trees to grow. Acid fog and clouds generally have a higher concentration of acid than rain. Acid fog can be attributed to the decrease of Red Spruce in coastal areas were cloud coverage is abundant. Acid rain can also be accountable for lung problems in children and people with asthma on occasion people with exceptionally good health will develop lung problems if exposed to acidic weather for a prolonged period of time

Human beings are to be held accountable for the effects of acid rain. We drive the vehicles that produce these emissions we build and use the power plants that send toxic fumes into the sky. Acid rain is something that can be prevented, it is just like pollution. If we reduce our emissions, and help maintain a healthy environment then we will be saving our planets plant and wildlife.

Combustion of Fossil Fuels

2011-01-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

The combustion of all fossil fuels follows a very similar reaction:

Fuel (any hydrocarbon source) plus oxygen yields
carbon dioxide and water and energy.

A simple combustion reaction is given for methane. The combustion of methane means that it is possible to burn it. Chemically, this combustion process consists of a reaction between methane and oxygen in the air. When this reaction takes place, the result is carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), and a great deal of energy. The following reaction represents the combustion of methane:

CH₄[g] + 2 O₂[g] -> CO₂[g] + 2 H₂O[g] + energy

One molecule of methane, (the [g] referred to above means it is gaseous form), combined with two oxygen molecules, react to form a carbon dioxide molecule, and two water molecules usually given off as steam or water vapor during the reaction and energy.

Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel. Coal and oil, the other fossil fuels, are more chemically complicated than natural gas, and when combusted, release a variety of potentially harmful air pollutants. Burning methane releases only carbon dioxide and water. Since natural gas is mostly methane, the combustion of natural gas releases fewer byproducts than other fossil fuels.

Smog and Acid Rain

2010-10-23T22:25:00.000-07:00

Particularly for large metropolitan cities, smog and poor air quality is a pressing environmental problem. Smog primarily consists of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds chemically interacting with heat from sunlight forming ground level ozone. Smog is that familiar haze most commonly found surrounding large cities, particularly in the summer time. Smog and ground level ozone contribute to all kinds of respiratory problems ranging from temporary discomfort, asthma, to long-lasting, permanent lung damage. The pollutants in smog come from vehicle emissions, smokestack emissions, paints, and solvents - most of which started out as crude oil.

Much of the eastern United States is affected by another environmental problem known as acid rain. Acid rain can damage crops, forests, wildlife populations, and cause respiratory and other illnesses in humans. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water vapor and other chemicals in the presence of sunlight, various acidic compounds form in the air and come to the earth as acid rain. The pollutants of acid rain are derived from coal fired power plants. Natural gas emits virtually no sulfur dioxide and up to 80 percent less nitrogen oxides than the combustion of coal. So the increased use of natural gas would provide for fewer acid rain causing emissions.

The source of energy to use for reducing pollution and maintaining a clean and healthy environment is natural gas. Natural gas is also domestically abundant making it a secure source of energy. The environmental benefits of using natural gas over other sources of energy, particularly other fossil fuels are numerous.

Since the use of natural gas emits only low levels of nitrogen oxides and virtually no particulate matter, it can be used to help combat smog formation in those areas where ground level air quality is poor. Electric utilities, motor vehicles, and industrial plants make up the main sources of nitrogen oxides. To combat smog production, especially in urban centers where it is needed the most, increased natural gas use in the electric generation sector, a shift to cleaner natural gas vehicles, and increased industrial natural gas use could all serve to improving the air quality. Summertime, when natural gas demand is at its lowest and smog problems are the greatest, would be a good time for industrial plants and electric generators to use natural gas to fuel their operations instead of using the more polluting fossil fuels. This would effectively reduce smog emissions resulting in clearer, healthier air around the urban centers.

A study conducted in 1995 by the Coalition for Gas-Based Environmental Solutions found that in the Northeast, smog and ozone-causing emissions could be reduced by 50 to 70 percent through the seasonal switching to natural gas.

Particulate emissions such as soot, ash, metals, and other airborne particles also cause the degradation of air quality in the United States. Natural gas emits virtually no particulates into the atmosphere. Emissions of particulates from natural gas combustion are 90 percent lower than from the combustion of oil, and 99 percent lower than burning coal. Increased natural gas use in place of other dirtier hydrocarbons can help to reduce particulate emissions in the United States.

Ocean acidification - Acid rains affecting oceans

2010-10-23T22:13:00.001-07:00

Ocean acidification is decrease in the pH in our oceans caused when chemical substances like carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur, or nitrogen mix with seawater. Ocean pH pH has dropped by slightly less than 0.1 units since industrial revolution and it is estimated that it will drop by a further 0.3 - 0.5 units by 2100, mainly because of carbon dioxide.

Ocean acidification has extremely negative results on some marine creatures like sea urchins, corals, and certain types of plankton as it decreases their ability to harness calcium carbonate which they need to harden their outer shells (exoskeletons). Importance of these creatures is highly important in marine food chain since they provide essential food and habitat to other species and they really represent the base of ocean ecosystems. Researcher Gretchen Hofmann recently said: "It's possible by 2050 they may not be able to make a shell anymore. If we lose these organisms, the impact on the food chain will be catastrophic.

Ocean acidification isn't making oceans significantly more acidic on global scale, but it significantly hurts coastal and shallow area and organisms that live in these areas. There are many factors contributing to acid rains such as farming, livestock husbandry and combustion of different fossil fuels. The most affected areas are usually downwind of coal power plants, on the eastern edges of North America, Europe, and south and east of Asia.

So not only our land hurts because of acid rains, but also our oceans and many marine organisms struggle to cope with increased acidity. And if current rates continue, by the end of this century acidity will be five times bigger than today, and this would really mean catastrophe.

Acid rain - Formation and impact

2010-10-23T22:06:00.001-07:00

Acid rain is mostly caused by human emissions of different sulfur and nitrogen compounds which once in atmosphere produce acids. Main reason for acid rains is air pollution as a result of fossil fuels burning. Power plants (especially coal based), factories, cars, they all produce polluting gases and some of them when in atmosphere react with water in clouds to create sulphuric and nitric acids which are very harmful to our environment once they fall on Earth in the form of acid rain.

Acid rain can also take the form of snow, mists and dry dusts, although most common form is rain. The rain isn't always falling just on the polluted area as it can fall many miles away from the source of pollution. Wherever it falls, it has very harmful effect on soil, trees and water.

Acid rain impact can vary, from minimal to severe which depends on the region of the country and on the acidity of the rain as sometimes same amount of acid rains can have different effect in some areas than in others.

Forests exposed to acid rain lose valuable nutrients, trees grow more slowly and sometimes even stops to grow, leaves is damaged as their waxy protective coating wears away because of different acids. These harmful effects combined make trees more vulnerable to different diseases, weather and insects.

Acid rains are most obvious in waters, where they're increasing acidity of water which has tremendous negative impact on water ecosystems, often causing decline of fish and other water population and affecting variety of life in water ecosystems. Most visible effect in these water ecosystems is gradual disappearing of many fish species since their environment becomes intolerable and they're on the lookout for new habitats. Measure of the acidity in certain water ecosystem affected by acid rain is pH value. Here are the effects of an acidified ecosystem on certain pH value.

As water pH approaches	Effects
6.0	crustaceans, insects, and some plankton species begin to disappear.
5.0	major changes in the makeup of the plankton community occur. less desirable species of mosses and plankton may begin to invade. the progressive loss of some fish populations is likely, with the more highly valued species being generally the least tolerant of acidity.
Less than 5.0	the water is largely devoid of fish. the bottom is covered with undecayed material. the nearshore areas may be dominated by mosses. terrestrial animals, dependent on aquatic ecosystems, are affected. Waterfowl, for example, depend on aquatic organisms for nourishment and nutrients. As these food sources are reduced or eliminated, the quality of habitat declines and the reproductive success of birds is affected.

What can be done to stop acid rains? Probably the best answer lies in the alternative energy sources as to avoid harmful burning of fossil fuels but renewable energy sector is still negligible compared to dominant fossil fuels, not only at this moment, but also in years to come.

There's also important to mention that damage done by acid rains can be restored in lake and rivers which can have powdered limestone added to them to neutralize the water - this method is called "liming", but unfortunately isn't used very often because it's very expensive since it needs to be done continuously many times, until the acid rain stops, otherwise its affects are only temporary.

Rich countries Sweden and Norway successfully used this method to restore their lakes and streams. But this solution isn't really a possibility in countries with major acid rain problems (i.e. China) since they have no funds available for this expensive method causing many of their lakes and rivers to stay acidified for many more years and even growing in acidity levels since because of dominant fossil fuels use and its burning these rains continue to fall making this problem more severe with every new acid rain.

Acid Rain - Its Effects and What You Can Do to Help:

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Acid rain is relatively unseen and hard to detect, but it is a widespread serious problem that probably affects the area where you live today. Acid rain is defined as rain that has a higher acidic content than normal due to unnatural (human produced) processes. The severity of the problem in your area depends on factors ranging from how close you are to conventional coal-fired power plants, how much rainfall there is total, and upper and lower atmosphere wind currents.

If only the effects of acid rain were as innocuous as the definition! In North America, for example, the problem has progressed so that rainwater can have anywhere from 1000% to 7000% too much acid content. Standing water, where some evaporation has occured, or water that has been absorbed and filtered by the soil can have an even larger acid content. Rainwater that is too acidic can cause many types of problem, such as:

- Acid rain can defoliate trees (making them lose their leaves or needles). This can eventually lead to the tree dying if there is no intervention. Trees can also suffer from stunted growth, and become weakened so that they are vulnerable to weather, disease, and insects.

- When lakes are seriously damaged by acid rain fish die off, birds die from eating "toxic" fish, and humans cannot swim in them

- Buildings and other structures can be corroded by acid rain. In addition, other objects can be affected such as bridges, underground pipes, and artwork on historical buildings.

- Currently, both the railway and airline industries have to be diligent to repair the corrosive damage done by acid rain.

- Humans can become seriously ill and can even die from the effects of acid rain because it can cause respiratory problems, particularly in those who are already vulnerable such as people with asthma.

Acid rain is caused by smoke and gases that are given off by factories and cars. Simply put, the pollutants in the exhaust go into the atmosphere, and become acid that comes back down mixed with rain. A great deal of acid rain is produced when coal is burned to produce electricity. There are ways to clean the coal, called clean coal technology, but these methods are expensive and would probably require government subsidies or new technological breakthroughs to be viable.

Anyone can help reduce the problem of acid rain. You can write to your government official to promote clean coal technology, you can invest in companies that are developing new fossil fuel-free cars, such as fuel cell and electric cars. But most importantly, you can reduce your own consumption of electricity that is produced from coal, drive your gas-fueled car less often, and reduce your own acid rain footprint to make a real difference.

The Devastating Effects Of Acid Rain

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Acid rain is an environmental problem that affects areas all around the world. It is the result of sulfur and oxide mixing with moisture for the sky. The pollutants get into the air by fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and factory exhaust. Acid rain is considered to be one of the largest environmental problems facing the world today.

Acid rain the areas of Europe and North America have seen a dramatic increase in the past decade. Some areas contain anywhere from 10 to 70% more acid than normal. The higher the acid level, the more damage is done to living and non living objects. The environment as a whole suffers. Humans, forests, trees, lakes, animals, and plants all suffer from the effects of acid rain.

Trees are a natural resource. They provide wood, protect against the elements, and provide shelter to wildlife. As trees are destroyed by acid rain, the things that depend on the trees for survival are also affected. It is a downward spiral that continues out of control. Lakes that are damaged by acid rain cause the water and fish to become contaminated. When the fish die, the main source of food for the birds is destroyed. If the area is extremely full of acid rain, the fish eggs may die before even hatching, reducing the amount of food available as well.

Studies are continually being conducted on the effects of acid rain on humans. It can destroy our land and contaminate our food. The main concern is toxic metals. These metals can find their way into drinking water, crops, or animals that we eat. Consuming these items can lead to nerve damage and brain damage. Some researchers think that acid rain can be linked to Alzheimer’s as well.

Respiratory problems in humans resulting from acid rain are common in many areas of the world with high levels of acid. The symptoms include a dry cough, asthma, headaches, and irritations in the eyes, nose, and throat. Taking all this into consideration, the United States and Canada signed the Air Quality Agreement in 1991. The purpose of the agreement is to reduce the effects of acid rain.

Acid Rain & Caustic Residues

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When pollutants and emissions drift into the atmosphere and combine with rain or snow they form acids. These diluted acids settle on a vehicle’s surface and when the water evaporates and dries on the surface the remaining mineral-laden polluted rain becomes more concentrated and causes damage to the surface creating slight depressions or craters on the clear coat and sometimes into the color coat. When you have water spots that just won't come off, these imperfections are commonly referred to as acid rain etching.

This category also includes mineral deposits, cement, salt, calcium, and lime deposits. We recommend immediate removal to increase the probability of a full surface restoration. If left untreated, acid rain will cause permanent surface damage.

Similar damage can also be caused by bird droppings and insect residue. If the residue is extremely acidic in composition, it will etch a crater into paint and plastic.

Why is Acid Rain Harmful?

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Acid Rain Can Cause Health Problems in People

Air pollution like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause respiratory diseases, or can make these diseases worse. Respiratory diseases like asthma or chronic bronchitis make it hard for people to breathe. The pollution that causes acid rain can also create tiny particles. When these particles get into people’s lungs, they can cause health problems, or can make existing health problems worse. Also, nitrogen oxides cause ground-level ozone. This ground-level ozone causes respiratory problems, like pneumonia and bronchitis, and can even cause permanent lung damage. The health effects that people have to worry about are not caused by the acid rain, but are caused when people breathe in these tiny particles or ozone. Swimming in an acidic lake or walking in an acidic puddle is no more harmful to people than swimming or walking in clean water.

Acid Rain Harms Forests
Acid rain can be extremely harmful to forests. Acid rain that seeps into the ground can dissolve nutrients, such as magnesium and calcium, that trees need to be healthy. Acid rain also causes aluminum to be released into the soil, which makes it difficult for trees to take up water. Trees that are located in mountainous regions at higher elevations, such as spruce or fir trees, are at greater risk because they are exposed to acidic clouds and fog, which contain greater amounts of acid than rain or snow. The acidic clouds and fog strip important nutrients from their leaves and needles. This loss of nutrients makes it easier for infections, insects, and cold weather to damage trees and forests.

Acid Rain Damages Lakes and Streams

Without pollution or acid rain, most lakes and streams would have a pH level near 6.5. Acid rain, however, has caused many lakes and streams in the northeast United States and certain other places to have much lower pH levels. In addition, aluminum that is released into the soil eventually ends up in lakes and streams. Unfortunately, this increase in acidity and aluminum levels can be deadly to aquatic wildlife, including , mayflies, rainbow trout, small mouth bass, frogs, spotted salamanders, crayfish, and other creatures that are part of the food web.

This problem can become much worse during heavy downpours of rain or when the snow begins to melt in the spring. These types of events are known as episodic acidification.

Acid Rain Damages Buildings and Objects

Acid rain can also have a damaging effect on many objects, including buildings, statues, monuments, and cars. The chemicals found in acid rain can cause paint to peel and stone statues to begin to appear old and worn down, which reduces their value and beauty.

What is acid rain?

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ACID RAIN

Acid rain is rain that is polluted by acid in the atmosphere. It damages the environment. The acid can also be found in snow and fog. There are 2 main air pollutants that change into acid, sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOX). When they react with moisture in the atmosphere they become acids.

Where do the pollutants come from?

ACID RAIN

The sulphur and nitrogen pollutants come from burning fossil fuels, from coal-fired generators making electricity, from smelting furnaces in steel works, and from petrol driven motor vehicles.

What are the effects of acid rain?
Acid rain can harm forests and crops.It pollutes rivers, lakes and streams and damages the animals that live in them. Acid rain also damage to statues and buildings.

ACID RAIN

Acidic dust!
Acid in the atmosphere also falls to the earth as dust. Some scientific studies have found that acidic dust particles can cause an increase in attacks of asthma and bronchitis in humans

When the dust is washed away by rain the acid is added to the rain water which pours into streams and river and the oceans, polluting them and harming plants and animals that live there.

Acid rain can also ruin buildings and public statues and monuments. The acid eats into metal and stone.

What can be done?
People can help by turning off lights, computers and other appliances when they're not being used.

Buy energy efficient appliances which use less electricity.

Using alternative energy sources such as wind energy, geothermal energy, and solar energy will reduce the pollutants caused by electricity generation.

Cars powered with natural gas and battery-powered cars will produce less pollution.

What is raildust?

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Raildust is the common name given to ferrous metal fallout contamination. Often raildust comes from trains and is caused by the train’s wheels on the rails, the electrical pick-up rubbing overhead cables and the effect of the braking mechanism causing tiny particles of metal to fly off into the air. However, this kind of fallout can be caused by any mechanical device that involves metal on metal, including your own car’s brakes. Exhaust fumes will contain some amount of metal, especially from ships and aircraft, foundries and factories.

So already, by pointing out where it comes from, we can see how to avoid it - if you park your car at the railway station, park as far away from the tracks as you can. Metal dust is heavy so it doesn’t float about and travel very far. Just 50 yrds can make a huge difference to the amount of fallout your car will collect in the station car park. Also beware of car parks in ports, airports and next to busy motorways.And of course, if you must use a grinder to sharpen the lawnmower blades, park your car down the street!

No matter what you do, you will get some level of ferrous metal contamination on your car, but why is this a problem? Ferrous metal will rust when it comes into contact with water and the oxidization process causes acids which destroy the binders in your paint. So as the particle rusts, it dissolves the paint underneath it and it then burys it’s self deeper into the paint until it has eaten all the way through to the bodywork, and once that happens, your bodywork begins to rust. It’s important to know how to spot fallout, if you have a light coloured car you will be able to see it as little brown specs, often you can see these against a black coloured car too. A better way to find fallout is to feel for it.if your car is clean, wet an area with clean water and run your fingers over it, if you can feel hard gritty lumps, chances are that that is raildust. (some people do this while having their hand inside a sandwich bag, the fallout will snag on the bad revealing the fallout - this is a good method if you haven’t very sensitive fingertips).

There are two methods of removal. The first is an acid bath… this sounds scary but really isn’t a problem if you are a professional valeter. You wash the car down in an acidic solution, much like a wheel cleaner, this will dissolve the metal particles, and then before the acid can damage the paintwork you wash it off with a soapy solution which will neutralize the acid.

The second method is to use aclay bar (a.k.a. detailing clay) to remove the raildust. Usually a claybar is a synthetic putty which is very sticky and will suck the particles out of the paintwork. A claybar deserves a full entry which can be found here, worth reading folks, because this is a method that you can do yourself!

What is fallout? Acid Rain affect the cars

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Fallout is anything that falls on your car, contaminates it and can damage the paint or otherwise ruin the appearance.Usually when people talk about fallout, they mean industrial fallout, specifically rail dust. Rail dust is particles of metal, most commonly from railway lines (hense the name) but it can come from any industrial process. Contamination with metal particals is a subject which deserves it’s own entry which can be found here.

Other forms of industrial fallout can include just about anything that industry pumps out into the air including pollution and acid rain. Over the years I have seen lime scale contaminated water splashed on cars, cement dust, red oxide paint, Hammerite, creosote, ash, soot, etc, etc.

Fallout really could include just about anything. Several of the cars we have treated for fallout managed to get it by driving down the motorway where earlier a lorry had spilt it’s load… so when you think of all the different liquids and powders transported on British roads, the possibilities are endless.There are also natural forms of fallout such as tree sap, berries and buds, or even bird/bat/insect droppings.

Apart from raildust, the two most common forms of fallout are paint overspray, concrete splatter and tree sap.

Paint overspray is very common, if your car goes into a bodyshop for crash repair it is likely to pick up some overspray. The body shop will mask out the immediate area of the repair, but the air becomes thick with paint particles which are semi-dry. These will land on the upper surfaces of your car and stick. If you car has had a fairly serious repair and been in the bodyshop for several days, you can get overspray from every car they have painted during that time and sometimes its quite visible and looks like a layer of dust. Unlike dust it won’t just wash off but there are several methods of removal. The first of these is to polish the car’s paintwork and windows, this is okay if the fallout isn’t too severe but might be very hard work on heavy fallout. The next method is to use a clay bar which is a sticky bar of riverbed clay, or more usually a synthetic clay very similar to Blu-tac, only a lot more sticky. Clay bar, otherwise know as detailing clay, will help you to rub away the fallout which will stick to the bar. The third method is machine polishing or buffing… if the overspray has gone on very wet this is the only way to remove it.

Unlike paint overspray which just makes your car look slightly matt and dull, fallout from trees can be harmful to your paintwork and cause etching or staining. Usually this organic fallout is tree sap, which isn’t too harmful if you get it off fairly quickly but it can be a real problem to remove. Usually we use a TFR which stands for Traffic Film Remover - this is just a soap but it is strong enough to strip traffic film, grease, and even the wax from your car. This usually works really well, especially when you are running the TFR through a hot pressure washer, but there are times where we have needed to use Tar and Glue remover or other solvent based cleaner.

Certain trees will drop berries onto your car which can cause stains, it’s important to wash these off as soon as possible, never more so than if they land on your car having passed through a dicky-bird! In fact bird droppings are one of the most corrosive things to land on your car. Many car enthusiasts cary a packet of baby wipes or a bottle of quick detailer wax and a microfibre cloth in the car to be able to deal with the problem in short order. Some manufacturers are now producing bird lime neutralizers to deal with the problem.

How Does Acid Rain Affect The Environment ?

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It is important for us to understand what exactly Acid rain is to understand the harmful damages it can because Acid rain is mainly caused due to pollution. Air pollution is caused when every type of fuel is burnt or used by various industries and vehicles. Fuel contains several chemicals which do not dissolve, but instead become a residual gas in the environment. The smoke that comes out when fuel is burnt contains these residues.

The air in the atmosphere cannot absorb this smoke. So, it remains suspended there.However, rainfall absorbs all the impurities from the air, and that is how it absorbs these chemicals that come out of air pollution also. The raindrops turn acidic due to it. These raindrops contain harmful and invisible gases.

Power stations, factories, industries, cars, vehicles, airplanes and ships are all responsible for causing air pollution. The acidity of acid rain can only be measured using the pH scale. The lower the pH balance is, the more acidic the rain is. Acid rain upsets the pH balance of the atmosphere. To live healthily, we need to breathe in air with a normal pH balance. A normal pH balance indicates that the air is fresh and also is pure. Something like 7 is ideal.

However, in today’s circumstances in a city it is difficult to find a normal pH balance between 5 and 6. In some cities the pollution is so severe that the pH balance of the air falls below 3 sometimes. The environment which is not pure and pristine cannot hold life.

Where Does Acid Rain Come From ?

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Acid rain is nothing but the regular rain that has turned acidic. There are several causes for acid rain, and one of the main reasons among them is high levels of pollution. Several industries, vehicles and power generating plants are dependant on fossil fuels like coal and oil for their operations.Almost everyone depends on power, and vehicles to run people's everyday lives.

However, these things would require coal or oil to be burnt to function. When these fossil fuels are burnt, they emit sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide into the air. These gases are hot in temperature, and they rise high. Raindrops absorb these chemicals when they condense and fall. When these gases that are absorbed by the raindrops react with carbon and sunlight, they turn into acids and the raindrop also turns acidic as a result. Acid rain is nothing but a simple chemical reaction that converts water into acid.

However, when the pollution is high and when it rains, this chemical reaction takes place in large scale. This leads to massive acid rain scenario. When acid rain falls at large, it can cause severe damage to plants, humans and also sea life. There are several forms of acid rain like acid fog, acid mist, and acid snow. All these can prove to be very dangerous for humans, plants and animals. The acidic gases and particles present in the atmosphere are called dry depositions. These can be present even on top of leaves and plants and when they get washed by rain, the rain can become acidic.

How Does Acid Rain Affect Humans ?

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Acid rain has different effects on human beings, and also there are several kinds of it. In some parts of the world, where people have colder climates, they have to deal with acid rain, acid snow and even acid fog. It is a lot more miserable than acid rain. There are other kinds like acid gas and acid dust. So whichever particle found in the atmosphere when exposed to the polluted environment, it becomes acidic in nature.In today’s world most of the streams and lakes are acidic to a certain extent.

Acid rain affects human beings, plants and animals with the same magnitude. It causes damage to the environment and health in multiple levels. When human skin comes in contact with this type of rain, it may develop infections or get other skin diseases due to unwanted chemical reactions. Also, when people breathe in the air after an acid rain, they may develop lungs related problems and also breathing difficulty.

Children are the most vulnerable to acid rain. They develop lung and breathing related problems more easily than adults. Also, children who have conditions like asthma or bronchitis are more susceptible to the harmful effects of acid rain. The harmful side effects of acid rain is not only seen when we are in direct contact with it, but also in indirect contact. For example, fruits and vegetables that come in contact with this type of rain can also harm our body in the same way as being directly exposed to acid rain.

Acid rain: how can we reverse its effects?

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a position on acid rain. Their primary goal is to make changes to current rules and laws to resolve the issue of acid rain. Three environmentalists made national news by climbing to the top of a smoke stack in order to draw attention to the negligence of manufacturers in making the necessary changes to reduce acid rain.

Acid rain pollution is a problem that affects everyone. It affects earth and water and all the animals and plants which live on them. If man neglects and minimizes the threat of acid rain, his children and the following generations will have a bigger problem to deal with. New laws are created to control and hopefully reverse the effects of acid rain. The long term benefits of such laws will show if they justify their cost.

Governments are working in concert with manufacturers to reduce the emission levels of pollutants causing acid rain. On the other hand, there are many small steps individuals can do to help reduce the sulfur and nitrogen oxide in the air. Conserving energy is the biggest contribution every person can do. The amount of acid rain can be greatly reduced by such simple actions like lowering one’s electricity consummation switching to other energy sources. More frequent use of public transportation or carpooling will also reduce the pollutants in the air.

The effects of acid rain are felt worldwide. Acid rain is mainly created by the combination of sulfur and oxide mixing with moisture for the sky. These pollutants are created into the air by fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and factory exhaust. Acid rain is considered one of the biggest environmental problems faced by the world today.

Acid rain is also acid deposits resulting from sulfurs and oxides mixing with drops of rain or snow, and then dropping to the ground or rivers. Winds are also carriers of acid in the air, in a drier form. The effects of acid rain are dangerous because they are seen on water supplies, the environment, wildlife, and plant life. Acid rain will only be controlled by a global agreement and re-enforcement of laws to protect the environment.

Everyone has a role to play in reducing acid rain and daily small gestures will amount to tangible results. One has also to participate in environmental debates and forums and pressure their existing government to take a strong stand on the acid rain issue.

Pollutants

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Pollutants are ingredients causing pollution. They may be gases, liquids, solids of different chemical composition or may be high pitched sounds. The pollutants are not deliberately manufactured. But they are the by products of manufacturing processes. At different stage of manufacturing, these pollutants may be generated. As they are not useful to manufacture any useful product of commercial value, they are sent out of the industries.

The pollutants from industries are of different types and carry varying importance. The type of pollutant generated out of manufacturing process depends upon the nature of materials used during manufacturing process as wall as technology adopted to process them.

Gaseous Pollutants

During the process of manufacture, most industries produce pollutants. Most common gaseous pollutants released by industries are:

Carbon monoxide

Highly dangerous gas with a high potentiality of causing cancer and respiratory ailments. Generally, it is evolved, when a fuel is burnt under limited supply of oxygen.

Carbon dioxide

It is also a pollutant, when generated in large quantity - because it can reduce the oxygen concentration in the air. It is a gas produced when fuel is burnt in adequate oxygen.

Normally, the atmospheric air will have 0.03% CO₂. When its concentration increases due to pollution, it reduces the percentage of oxygen in atmosphere.

Sulphur dioxide

Sulphur dioxide(SO₂) is one of the dangerous pollutant with a potentiality to form sulphuric acid, when mixed with water vapour. Water vapour commonly available in air can mix with SO₂ gas and produce sulphuric acid.

Such sulphuric acid is the cause of acid rain.

Dry and Wet Acid Deposition or Acid Rain

Hydrogen sulphide

Hydrogen Sulphide(H₂S) is one of the dangerous, pungent pollutant gas with many deleterious effects respiratory tract. It is released from many industries as a part of sulphonation process.

Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN)

When cyanide chemicals are used in manufacturing process, hydrogen cyanide is formed as a by product. It is a highly corrosive and poisonous gas leading to eye irritations, respiratory problems as well as other complications. In high doses, it can cause death.

Ammonia Gas

In many industries, ammonia gas (NH₃) is used as reducing agent. It is a corrosive gas with a high potentiality of causing throat irritations, burning of pharynx, oesophagus, etc. It can also cause digestive problems - when excess gas is inhaled.

Liquid Pollutants

Many liquid pollutants are evolved during the process of manufacturing pesticides, medicines and other chemicals. Liquid pollutants are also released during the process of refinement and processing. Some of them are dangerous and cause serious implications on drinking water quality.

The types of liquid pollutants can be

acids - hydrochloric, acetic, fumaric, sulphuric, nitric, benzoic

bases - hydroxides of sodium, calcium, magnesium

carboxylic compounds

nitrogenous wastes

Oil refineries

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Crude oil contains sulphur. When sulphur is burned, it produces sulphur dioxide. If this gets into the atmosphere, it can cause what is called 'acid rain'.

Acid rain is a broad term to describe the effects of acidic compounds in the atmosphere - even though they don't necessarily fall as rain. Sulphur dioxide (SO^₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x - sometimes called 'nox') are released into the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels (particularly coal). They return to earth on dry dust particles or dissolved in rain drops.

Acid rain is thought to be responsible for damaging large areas of forests and degrading the soil. It also damages materials including limestone and exposed metals.

Therefore, wherever possible, we want to remo

ve sulphur from fuels before we burn them. There are now strict controls in the UK on sulphur and 'nox' emissions from cars. These can be met, in part, thanks to the removal of sulphur from naphtha in the refinery.

Treat gas is used to remove the sulphur from fuel fractio

ns (naphtha, light gas oil and kerosine). The treat gas is mainly hydrogen and is a by-product of other processes.

The hydrogen reacts with the sulphur compounds in the hot

hydrocarbons. The reaction

produces hydrogen sulphide (which may be familiar to you because of its 'rotten eggs' smell).

The hydrogen sulphide is removed and taken to the sulphur processing plant. Here, it is oxidised to make liquid sulphur. this is solidified and sold to the chemical industry.

Effects of Acid Rain

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We generally consider acid rain to affect areas which are downwind of pollution generating sites. The northeastern United States, for instance, suffers from acid precipitation generated both locally and by coal fired plants in the mid-western states. As a result, ecosystem damage is localized. However, acid precipitation can be caused by some natural events (volcanic eruptions, erosion and oxidation of organic-rich sedimentary rocks) and some catastrophic events (bolide impact) which increase the amounts of CO₂, NO_x and SO₂ in the atmosphere. As a result, it is important to understand the effects of acid rain on animals inorder to evaluate both possible causes for past extinction events, as well as the potential for modern ecosystem damage.

Acid Formation in the Atmosphere

First, let us review some basic chemistry as it applies to acid precipitation.

Carbonic acid forms naturally in the atmosphere due to the reaction of water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2),

H₂O + CO₂ -> H₂CO₃

_{while the burning of coal and other organics adds sulfu}_{r dioxide (SO2) and Nitrous oxides (NOx) to the atmosphere where they react to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid,}

2SO₂+ H₂O + O₂ -> 2H₂SO₄

4NO₂ + 2H₂O + O₂ -> 4HNO₃

_{All of these acids will be buffered by reacting with rocks, minerals, etc. on the earth's surface. The most important (and fastest) buffering comes from the reaction with (weathering of) calcite in the form of limestone, dolomite or marble.}

H₂CO₃ + CaCO₃ -> 2HCO₃^- + Ca⁺²

When this reaction occurs, the acid is neutralized and the calcite dissolved. While the reaction with calcite is very fast (the standard test for calcite in introductory geology labs is to put very dilute acid on a sample to see if it bubbles (reacts)), the reaction with other rocks is very slow, so most of the acid is not affected. This is why ponds in the Adirondacks became acidified (non-calcite rock in those areas), while Lake Champlain (abundant calcitic bedrock) did not.

The degree of acidification is the pH of the water, which isdefined as the negative logarithm of the concentration ofhydrogen ion (H⁺), or

pH = -log [H⁺].

(This to a certain degree comes from the old definition of an acid as a proton donor. A hydrogen ion is little more than a proton, so think of it as the amount of free protons floating around).

A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while a pH less than 7 is considered acidic. For example, wine has a pH of about 3.5 and your stomach digestive fluids have a pH of about 1.9.

We should also be aware that increased acidity does not have to be constant, but instead can be episodic. High surface water discharge events (storms, snowmelts) can increase the pH of streams and ponds to dangerous levels for short times.

Effects of Acidity on Plants and Animals

As a first example of the effects of acid rain, we can examine a case which is not obvious - effects on non-aquatic, tree nesting birds. This study was carried out in the Netherlands. It was observed that the proportion of birds laying defective eggs rose from roughly 10% in 1983-84 to 40% by 1987-88. The defective eggs had thin and highly porous egg shells, which resulted in eggs failing to hatch because of shell breakage and desiccation. As a result, there was also a high proportion of empty nests and clutch desertion. It was also observed that these effects were limited to areas of acid rain.

Since the birds did not appear to be directly affected by the acidity, the food chain was examined (these birds are positioned at the upper part of the local food chain). The difference between areas of normal soil pH (buffered by high calcium content due to limestone and marble outcrops and bedrock) and those with acidic soil appeared to be the presence of snails. The snails depend on the soil as their calcium source as they secrete their shells. With much of the CaCO₃ leached out of the soil by the acid precipitation, the snails could not survive in the area. The birds did not, at first, appear to be affected, because they continued to eat spiders and insects which, while supplying a sufficiently nutritious diet for the birds, where a poor source of calcium.

To test the hypothesis that the lack of calcium was the cause of the bird's laying defective eggs, ecologists "salted" the area with chicken egg shell fragments. The birds began to eat the chicken egg shells, and those that did laid normal eggs.

In this case, acid precipitation had affects that passed on up the food chain.

AFFECTS ON AQUATIC SYSTEMS

Mollusks - snails and clams.

- these invertebrates are highly sensitive to acidification because of their shells which are either calcite or aragonite (both forms a CaCO₃) which they must take from the water.

- in Norway, no snails are found in lakes with a pH of less than 5.

- of 20 species of fingernail clams, only 6 were found in lakes with pH of less than 5.

Arthropods

- crustaceans are not found in water with a pH less than 5.

- crayfish are also uncommon in water where the pH is less than 5. This is an important consideration because crayfish are an important food source for many species of fish.

- many insects also become rare in waters with a pH less than 5.

Amphibians

- as you may know, many species of amphibians are declining. To what extent acid rain is contributing to this decline is not exactly known. However, one problem is that in places like northeastern North America amphibians breed in temporary pools which are fed by acidified spring meltwater. In general, eggs and juveniles are more sensitive to the affects of acidity.

Zooplankton in lakes

- changes in diversity among zooplankton have been noted in studies carried out in lakes in Ontario, Canada. These studies found that in lakes where the pH was greater than 5 the zooplankton communities exhibited diversities of 9 - 16 species with 3 - 4 being dominant. In lakes where the pH was less than 5, diversity had dropped to 1 - 7 species, with only 1 or 2 dominants.

Periphytic algae

- many acidified lakes exhibit a large increase in the abundance of periphytic algae (those that coat rocks, plants and other submerged objects). This increase has been attributed to the loss of heterotrophic activity in the lake (i.e., the loss of both microbial and invertebrate herbivores in the lake).

Fish

- as a result of acidification, fish communities have suffered significant changes in community composition attributed to high mortality, reproductive failure, reduced growth rate, skeletal deformities, and increased uptake of heavy metals.

Mortality

- effects on embryos and juveniles:

- Atlantic salmon fry have been observed to die when water with pH <>

- in fish embryos, death appears to be due to corrosion of epidermal cells by the acid. Acidity also interferes with respiration and osmoregulation. In all fish at a pH of 4 to 5 the normal ion and acid/base balance is disturbed. Na+ uptake is inhibited in low pH waters with low salinity. Small fish are especially affected in this way because due to their greater ratio of body and gill surface area to overall body weight, the detrimental ion flux proceeds faster.

- in all fish low pH water causes extensive gill damage. Gill laminae erode, gill filaments swell, and edemas develop between the outer gill lamellar cells and the remaining tissue.

- at pH <3>

Reproductive Failure

Reproductive failure has been suggested as the main reason for fish extinction due to acidity. In Ontario, Canada it was observed that in acidified lakes female fish did not release ova during mating season. When examined, the fish were found to have abnormally low serum calcium levels which appears to have disrupted their normal reproductive physiology.

Growth

Growth may increase or decrease depending on resistance of a species to acidity. For resistant species, growth can increase due to the loss of competing non-resistant species. On the other hand, growth can decrease due to increase in metabolic rate caused by sublethal acid stress. In this case the organism's rate of oxygen consumption goes up because the excess CO₂ in the water increases the blood CO₂ level which decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of the hemoglobin.

Skeletal Deformity

This occurs in some fish as a response to the lowered blood pH caused by increase in CO₂ described above. Bones decalcify in response to a buildup of H₂CO₃ in the blood as the body attempts to maintain its normal serum osmotic concentration (i.e., the body attempts to return to a normal blood pH level).

How is acid rain measured?

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Acid rain is measured through pH tests that determine the concentration of hydrogen ions in a liter of fluid. The pH (potential for hydrogen) scale is used to measure acidity or alkalinity. It runs from 0 to 14. Water has a neutral pH of 7. (The greater the concentration of hydrogen ions and the lower the pH number, the more acidic a substance is; the lower the concentration of hydrogen ions and the higher the pH number, the more alkaline—or basic—a substance is.) So a pH greater than 7 indicates an alkaline substance while a pH less than 7 indicates an acidic substance.

It is important to note that a change of only one unit in pH equals a tenfold change in the concentration of hydrogen ions. For example, a solution of pH 3 is 10 times more acidic than a solution of pH 4.

Normal rain and snow measure about pH 5.60. In environmental science, the definition of acid precipitation refers to a pH less than 5.65.

Acid rain can erode structures such as buildings, even if they are made out of stone. (Reproduced by permission of JLM Visuals.)

Measured values of acid rain vary according to geographical area. Eastern Europe and parts of Scandinavia have rain with pH 4.3 to 4.5; rain in the rest of Europe ranges from pH 4.5 to 5.1; rain in the eastern United States and Canada ranges from pH 4.2 to 4.6, and the Mississippi Valley has a range of pH 4.6 to 4.8. The worst North American area, analyzed at pH 4.2, is centered around Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

When pH levels are drastically upset in soil and water, entire lakes and forests are endangered. Evergreen trees in high elevations are especially vulnerable. Although the acid rain itself does not kill the trees, it makes them more susceptible to disease. Also, high acid levels in soil causes leaching (loss) of other valuable minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Small marine organisms cannot survive in acidic lakes and rivers, and their depletion (reduced numbers) affects the larger fish who usually feed on them, and, ultimately, the entire marine-life food chain. Snow from acid rain is also damaging; snowmelt has been known to cause massive, instant death for many kinds of fish. Some lakes in Scandinavia and New York's Adirondack Mountains are completely devoid of fish life. Acid rain also eats away at buildings and metal structures. From the Acropolis in Greece to Renaissance buildings in Italy, ancient structures are showing signs of corrosion from acid rain. In some industrialized parts of Poland, trains cannot exceed 40 miles (65 kilometers) per hour because the iron railway tracks have been weakened from acidic air pollution.

Impacts of Acid Rain on Soils

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Soil is the basis of wealth upon which all land-based life depends.
The damage that occurs to ecosystems from acidic deposition is dependent on the buffering ability of that ecosystem. This buffering ability is dependent on a number of factors, the two major ones being soil chemistry and the inherent ecosystem sensitivity to acidification. Indirect damage to ecosystems is largely caused by changes in the soil chemistry. Increasing soil acidity can affect micro-organisms which break down organic matter into nutrient form for plants to take up. Increasing soil acidity also allows aluminium (a common constituent of soil minerals) to come into solution. In its free organic form, aluminium is toxic to plant roots and can lock up phosphate, thereby reducing the concentrations of this important plant nutrient.

What Effect Does the Soil and Underlying Bedrock Have on Acid Rain?
Soils containing calcium and limestone are more able to neutralise sulphuric and nitric acid depositions than a thin layer of sand or gravel with a granite base.
If the soil is rich in limestone or if the underlying bedrock is either composed of limestone or marble, then the acid rain may be neutralised. This is because limestone and marble are more alkaline (basic) and produce a higher pH when dissolved in water. The higher pH of these materials dissolved in water offsets or buffers the acidity of the rainwater producing a more neutral pH.

Acid Sensitive Areas
In regions where the soil is not rich in limestone or if the bedrock is not composed of limestone or marble, then no neutralising effect takes place, and the acid rainwater accumulates in the bodies of water in the area. This applies to much of the north-eastern United States where the bedrock is typically composed of granite. Granite has no neutralising effect on acid rainwater. Therefore over time more and more acid precipitation accumulates in lakes and ponds.

The water bodies most susceptible to change due to acid precipitation are those whose catchments have shallow soil cover and poorly weathering bedrock, for example granite and quartzite. These soil types are characterised by the absence of carbonates that could neutralise acidity. The run-off water from such areas is less buffered than from areas such as limestone catchments, with an adequate level of carbonate. Such catchments and waters are termed acid-sensitive (poorly buffered), and can suffer serious ecological damage due to artificially acidified precipitation from air masses downwind of major emissions.

Notable high-risk areas in Canada and the United States are the Canadian Shield, the Adirondack Mountains, the Laurentians, the Appalachians, and the Green Mountains of Vermont. These areas are vulnerable because of their high elevations, small watersheds, and naturally acidic soils. Different types of bedrock contain variable amounts of alkaline chemicals. Regions with bedrock containing less alkali have a lower capacity for reducing acidity, and thus are more sensitive to acid deposition.

Effects of soil on vegetation
When acid rain falls, it can affect forests as well as lakes and rivers. To grow, trees need healthy soil to develop in. Acid rain is absorbed into the soil making it virtually impossible for these trees to survive. As a result of this, trees are more susceptible to viruses, fungi and insect pests.
Long-term changes in the chemistry of some sensitive soils may have already occurred as a result of acid rain. As acid rain moves through the soils, it can strip away vital plant nutrients through chemical reactions, thus posing a potential threat to future forest productivity.

Poisonous metals such as aluminium, cadmium and mercury, are leached from soils through reacting with acids. This happens because these metals are bound to the soil under normal conditions, but the added dissolving action of hydrogen ions causes rocks and small-bound soil particles to break down.
Plant life in areas where acid rain is common may grow more slowly or die as a result of soil acidification. In the Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the United States 50% of the red spruce have died in the past 25 years. There has also been noted a reduced amount of growth in existing trees as measured by the size of growth rings of the trees in these areas.

These effects occur because acid rain leaches many of the existing soil nutrients from the soil. The number of micro-organisms present in the soil also decreases as the soil becomes more acidic. This further depletes the amount of nutrients available to plant life because the micro-organisms play an important role in releasing nutrients from decaying organic material. In addition, the roots of plants trying to survive in acidic soil may be damaged directly by the acids present. Finally, if the plant life does not die from these effects, then it may be weakened enough so that it will be more susceptible to disease or other harsh environmental influences like cold winters or high winds.

Critical Loads
Environmental response to pollutants depends on many factors. Some regions cope with acidification better than others, having larger 'critical loads'. Critical load refers to the greatest assault that an ecological system can withstand before showing measurable degradation.

Scientists determine critical load by examining rock and soil type, land use and rainfall. If soil is fertile with a pH greater than 4.5, and rainfall is relatively low, the critical load will be high. The terrain can withstand moderately large additions of acidity without undue suffering. Conversely, in low pH soils, acidification mobilises toxic aluminium ions. If coniferous forests predominate, or if land is devoted to rough grazing, the result is a low critical load. Even minor acid deposition is undesirable.

There are very few long-term UK monitoring studies of soil acidification and none of soil biota. Chemical data are available from a few specific sites, from a small number of regional studies and from three national studies. From the limited information available, the National Expert Group on Transboundary Pollution has concluded that there is evidence that acid deposition has resulted in widespread acidification of acid sensitive soils in the UK. Further critical loads modelling research suggests that soil recovery from acidification may take many years or even decades.

Acid Rain – Is It A By-Product of Global Warming?

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Acid rain: two words that are not very pretty. Instead of the romantic rain that most of us would like to imagine, acid rain brings to mind frightening images of a future wrought with pollution and other problems. But what is acid rain and what is it caused by? And is acid rain really a by-product of global warming? The short answer is both yes and no. Acid rain has causes that are rooted both in nature and in the human activity that is causing the effects of global warming to become more pronounced.

In scientific terms, acid rain refers to any kind of precipitation, including mist, snow, fog, and of course, rain, that is more acidic than normal. Most rain is naturally a bit acidic, but acid rain contains an above average level of acid in it. Generally speaking, acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that react with hydroxyl radicals and water vapor that exist in many industrial environments. When this combination exists, the acid rain may come down as either dry acid deposition or, when it is mixed with water, it is known as acid rain.

What is most acid rain composed of? Acid rain as it falls in the eastern part of North America and parts of Europe is composed mostly of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. How do these things make up acid rain? Acid rain generally occurs when the burning of fuels produces sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These different oxides get into our atmosphere because of both natural environmental activity as well as human activity. When these oxides reach the troposphere, they become oxidized by the hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere that then break down the oxides into sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids will usually break down readily into water that is then brought down in the form of precipitation, or acid rain.

So is acid rain a by-product of global warming? It is not so simple. Many natural sources are also a part of acid rain. Many tons of sulfur is released into the earth's atmosphere each year from natural sources, including volcano eruptions, microbial processes, and sea sprays. Nitrogen oxides are also released into the earth's atmosphere in a natural manner, including from burning, lightning, the burning of biomass, and many microbial processes.

However, in a sense, acid rain is indeed a type of by-product of global warming because human activity often is responsible for some kinds of acid rain. It is estimated that human beings release up to 100 to 130 million tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Human beings are also estimated to be responsible for roughly 60 to 70 million tons of the nitrogen oxides that are released into the earth's atmosphere each year. Most acid rain occurs in highly industrialized areas where these oxides are released into the earth's atmosphere on a regular basis. However, human activity has caused more oxides to be released into the earth's atmosphere in certain concentrated areas. Thus, human activity is definitely a strong factor in the occurrence of acid rain, especially in highly concentrated areas.

The effects of acid rain are becoming recognized as a growing problem, especially around highly industrial areas. Areas that have been highly industrialized for more than 100 years are considerably more susceptible to experiencing acid rain. However, all parts of the world are susceptible to some kind of acid rain. Acid rain is especially having an effect on many fragile ecosystems, including many of the earth's aquatic ecosystems. Acid rain can also have a devastating effect on forests.

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Normally while rain travels through the air, it dissolves floating chemicals and washes down particles that are suspended in air. At the start of its journey raindrops are neutral (pH = 7). In clean air, rain picks up materials that occur naturally such as dust, pollen, some CO₂ and other chemicals produced by lightening or volcanic activities. These substances make rain slightly acidic (pH = 6), which is not dangerous. However, when rain falls through polluted air, it comes across chemicals such as gaseous oxides of sulphur (SO_x), oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), mists of acids such as hydrochloric and phosphoric acid, released from automobile exhausts industrial plants, electric power plants etc.

These substances dissolve in falling rain making it more acidic than normal with pH range between 5.6 -3.5. In some case, it's pH gets lowered to the extent of 2. This leads to acid rain. The term acid rain is used here to describe all types of precipitation, namely, rain, snow, fog and dew more acidic than normal.

Chemistry of acid rain

In the natural processes of volcanic eruptions, forest fires and bacterial decomposition of organic oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, production and reductions of gases naturally tend to an equilibrium. Power plants, smelting plants, industrial plants, burning of coal and automobile exhausts, release additional sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and acidic soot, causing pollution. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide interact with water vapours in presence of sunlight to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid mist.

The formed sulphuric acid and nitric acid remain as vapour at high temperatures. These begin to condense as the temperature falls and mix with rain or snow, on the way down to the Earth and make rain sufficiently acidic.

Harmful effects of acid rain

SO_x, NO_x mixed with water as acid rain causes plant, animal and material damage. Some of the significant ill effects of acid rain are:

Damage to animals

Acid rain chemically strips waterways of necessary nutrients and lowers the pH to levels where plants and animals cannot live. Most of the aquatic animals cannot survive when the pH is less than 4. Some species of fish, such as salmon, die even when the pH is less than 5.5. Certain species of algae and zooplankton are eliminated at pH less than 6. A reduction in the zooplankton and bottom fauna ultimately affects the food availability for the fish population. The problem is most severe downwind of industrial areas where fishing and tourism are major sources of income such as in Norway and Sweden.

Damage to plants

Acidic water is dangerous to plants. Sulphuric and nitric acid rain washes nutrients out of the soil, damages the bark and leaves of trees and harms the fine root hairs of many plants which are needed to absorb water. Leaf pigments are decolorized because acid affects green pigment (chlorophyll) of plants. Agricultural productivity is also decreased. Several non-woody plants, such as barley, cotton and fruit trees like apple, pear, etc., are severely affected by acid rain. Since the acid concentration increases near the base of clouds by density, high altitude trees and vegetation may be exposed to pH levels as low as 3. Unique areas such as the Black Forest in Germany and sugar maples in Vermont (USA) are particularly threatened.

Material damage

Metallic surfaces exposed to acid rain are easily corroded. Textile fabrics, paper and leather products lose their material strength or disintegrate by acid rain.

Building materials such as limestone, marble, dolomite, mortar and slate are weakened on reaction with acid rains because of the formation of soluble compounds.

Thus, acid rain is dangerous for historical monuments.

Acid Rain & Heart Disease

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Acid rain is the deposition of acidic components in rain, snow, fog, dew or dry particles that come from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These dangerous chemical pollutants can have a severe impact on human health, including pulmonary disorders and heart disease. Much research is being done to combat acid rain for the sake of the environment, aquatic life and human health.

Process of Acid Rain

The process of depositing air pollutants on the Earth's surface is known as atmospheric deposition. These pollutants are derived from natural sources, such as forest fires and volcanoes, or from anthropogenic (man-made) sources, such as electric power plants and automobiles. Atmospheric deposition is both wet and dry. Wet deposition is precipitation (for example, rain and snow), and dry deposition is the settling, impaction, or adsorption of particles in dry weather. If wet deposition is acidic, it is known as acid rain.

Measuring Acid Rain

Because acid rain looks, feels and tastes like clean water, pH measurements are taken to determine its acidity. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, pure water has a pH of 7.0, and normal rain has a pH of about 5.6. Water is considered acid if the pH is less than 7.0 and alkaline if the pH is greater than 7.0. The lower the pH, the greater is the acidity of the water.

Causes of Acid Rain

Air pollution is the principal cause of acid rain. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, from electric power generators forms sulfur dioxide. Automobile fumes cause nitrogen oxides to form. These gases are released into the atmosphere and travel with the wind for hundreds of miles from the originating city to the countryside, harming not only Earth's forests and lakes, but also the health of humanity.

Link Between Acid Rain and Heart Disease

When you breathe the air pollutants (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) that cause acid rain, symptoms including coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and chest pain can occur. The formulated particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and aggravate heart disease. The high levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides associated with acid rain are particularly harmful to senior citizens and people with existing heart disease. As a result of these airborne particles, hospital admissions for heart disease are on the rise as well as higher morbidity rates from this ailment.

Acid Rain Phenomenon

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Introduction:

Acid rain is a very dangerous weather phenomenon that can harm an area to a great extent. Usually raindrops carry some amount of acid in it. When the amount of acid goes beyond the normal range, then the rainfall is called acid rain. Acid rain is a result of extreme pollution in certain places on the earth. Acid rain can destroy many things of nature such as various living objects as well as non-living objects. However, acid rain sometimes remains unrecognized and the particular place suffers from this dangerous natural outburst for years.

The Reason behind Acid Rain:

Acid rain is a result of pollution that includes acidic gases emerged from the factories and vehicles of a place. The level of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide increases in the atmosphere, thus increasing the acidic level in the raindrops.

Acids rain makes the entire atmosphere poisoned in a certain place. It raises the acidic level of the soil. Thus the water bodies like lakes, ponds, streams, etc. are affected. The chemical balance of these water bodies gets disturbed and water becomes poisonous for living beings. Places like Europe, North America, Canada, etc. are mostly affected by the acid rain.

From the above discussion it is clear that the level of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide must be decreased in the atmosphere to stop the menacing effects of acid rain. For this people have to be careful while using their vehicles. Fossil fuels should not be used in cars. In factories also some pollution control equipments must be used to reduce the emission of poisonous gases.

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When did acid rain start?

Acid rain is not
new. It was first discovered in England in 1872. Smoke from coal was the cause. Coal and oil smoke are still a problem, 120 years later.

What should rain be like?

The only place on earth where pure water is found is in a laboratory. Rain water always contains small amounts of impurities. These impurities come from dust particles or are absorbed from the gases in the air.

How is acid rain formed?

Acid rain is caused by the release of the gases SO2 (sulphur dioxide) and NOX (nitrous oxides). The main sources of SO2 in South Africa are coal-fired power stations and metal working industries. The main sources of NOX emissions are vehicles and fuel combustion

Acid rain can increase the acidity of lakes, dams and streams and cause the death of aquatic life.

Acid rain can increase the acidity of soil, water and shallow groundwater.

Acid rain erodes buildings and monuments. Acid particles in the air are suspected of contributing to respiratory problems in people.

- Acid rain can dissolve rock as deep as 98 ft. (30m)

- Erosion is fastest in steep rainy areas and semiarid areas with little vegetation.

- Heartburn is caused by excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

- The rate of erosion for the whole of the world land area is estimated to be 3.3 in. (8.6cm) every 1000 years.

- pH or potential of hydrogen indicates the number of hydrogen ions a substance forms.

- The word “ACID” comes from the Latin word for “sour”

Rain Water

Rainwater naturally contains a weak acid called carbonic acid. However, the burning or fossil fuels produces gases, such as sulfur dioxide. When this combines with rain water it produces sulfuric-acid and ingredient or acid rain. Acid rain damages trees or lake life.

What Are the Best Acid Rain Solutions?

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Acid rain is caused by sulfur emissions, which are put into the air through the burning of coal, often used for energy. Other sources of sulfur in the atmosphere include volcanoes and decomposing vegetation. Despite the fact these natural sources do exist, it is generally agreed that anthropogenic causes are the main sources of acid rain. This may make acid rain solutions easier to identify simply because if humans have caused it, then logically they should have the ability to change it.

The best acid rain solutions focus on power plants and coal used in the production of energy. Technologies exist that can remove sulfur from the emissions coming out of coal plant. Low-sulfur varieties of coal can also be used to reduce sulfur emissions. Often, a combination of these acid rain solutions provides the best way to minimize the problem.

The installation of scrubbers can help prevent as much as 95 percent of sulfur emitted by a carbon-fired electric power plant. The scrubbers work by spraying water with lime through the gas emission produced from burning the coal. The lime interacts with the sulfur dioxide, creating a sludge that is then captured and stored. The problem with this method is that retrofitting existing power plants with the technology is usually very expensive. It is cheaper if the technology is installed as the power plant is being built, and the inclusion of the technology is now required in many countries when new power plants are erected.

What Are the Different Acid Rain Effects?

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Acid rain is a term that encompasses several ways in which acids fall from the sky and cause environmental damage. These acids come from air pollution, primarily sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide gases. They can fall as acid precipitation, or fall back directly as acidic particles and gases. Acid rain damage can range from polluted waterways to corroded statues and buildings to direct effects on human health.

The worst acid rain effects on ecology are seen in waterways, such as lakes, streams, and marshes. The most sensitive areas are those that are located in watersheds in which the soil is not very effective at neutralizing acidic compounds. When this happens, the water becomes more acidic. This means it has a lower pH. In addition, aluminum is released into the water from the soil, and is highly toxic to many forms of aquatic life.

Some plants and animals can tolerate acidic waters, but others will die as the pH decreases. While some lakes are naturally acidic, the pH of most streams and lakes is between six and eight. When the pH goes down to five, most fish eggs will not hatch. Some adult fish will die at lower pH levels, causing some acid lakes to be entirely devoid of fish. Even if the fish survive, they may be physically stressed and unable to effectively compete for habitat and food.

More recent research has identified acid rain effects in the shallow waters of the coastal ocean. The ocean overall is not greatly affected, but the affects of acid rain are magnified in waters near the coast. They result in lower pH and a reduction in carbon storage.

The lowered amount of carbon means that organisms such as corals, sea urchins, and some types of plankton lose the ability to make their hard outer shells. These types of organisms are necessary to provide food and living conditions for other ocean creatures. Their death could have serious effects on ocean ecosystems. For instance, corals form reefs that provide habitat for a substantial number of marine organisms.

The deposition of nitrogen from the atmosphere has effects on both freshwater and ocean ecology. It can cause massive overgrowth of algae. Some of these can be toxic, and directly affect humans by contaminating shellfish. A common effect of algal growth is to use up all of the oxygen in the water. This can cause the formation of dead zones.

Forests are another ecosystem that manifest acid rain effects. This is a combination of the direct effect on the leaves and needles of the trees, and changes in soil chemistry and microbiology. This can happen especially in high mountain regions, where trees are surrounded by fog and clouds that have more acid than the local rainfall. This can cause the loss of essential nutrients in the leaves.

In addition, acid rain causes nutrients in the soil to be washed away, so they are unavailable for plants. The subsequent release of aluminum is toxic to trees and plants. A lowered pH can also kill beneficial soil microorganisms.

It is thought that acid rain alone does not cause the death of trees in forests. Scientists think it predisposes them to other stresses, such as insect damage, drought, disease, or cold weather. Acting in concert with these other factors, some forests in areas with heavy amounts of acid rain have died completely.

Acid rain effects on human materials, such as statues, have been substantial. In addition to the damage caused by acid rain, the dry deposition of acidic particles has been a significant factor in the degradation of these items. Buildings and statues that are particularly vulnerable are those made of limestone and marble. In many areas, structures have been significantly corroded, and gravestone markings have flaked away. Metal items, such as bronze and copper, can also be corroded by acid rain.

Human health can be directly impacted by acidic particles. Particulate matter can lodge in the lungs. The exposure to particulate matter in the air has been correlated with an increased mortality from heart and lung diseases. Also, such compounds increase the tendency towards bronchitis and asthma in exposed individuals.

Sources of Acid Rain

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Natural Acid Rain

The phenomenon of acid rain was discovered in Great Britain in the late 1800's, but was then essentially forgotten until the 1960's. It refers to precipitation that is significantly more acidic than natural, unpolluted rain which itself is mildly acidic due to the presence of carbon dioxide dissolved in atmospheric moisture forming carbonic acid:

CO2(gas) + H2O(liquid) H2CO3(aq)

The H2CO3(aq) is a weak acid, meaning it only partially ionizes to release H⁺(aq), with a resultant reduction in the pH of the system. pH is the - log [H⁺(aq)] therefore as the concentration of the H⁺(aq) increases the ph decreases. This partial ionization occurs in equilibrium as carbonic acid only ionizes 1.7%:

H2CO3(aq) H⁺_(aq)+ HCO3^-(aq)

Due to this source of acidity, the pH of unpolluted, natural rain is about 5.6. Only rain that is appreciably more acidic than this, with a pH of less than 5.0 is considered to be truly acid rain.

Acid Rain

The two predominant acids in acid rain are sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3). These acids are created during the transprt of the air mass that contains the primary pollutants. Generally speaking, acid rain is precipitated far downwind from the source of the primary pollutants, namely gaseous sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides such as NO2. Thus acid rain is a pollution problem that does respect provincial or national borders.

On a global scale, most SO2 is produced by volcanoes and by the oxidation of sulfar gases produced by the decomposititon of plants. Because this natural sulfur dioxide is emitted high into the atmosphere or far from populated centers, the concentration of the gas in unpolluted air is quite small. However, considerable amounts of SO2 is presently being emitted into ground - level air, particulary over land masses in the Northern Hemisphere. The main human source of SO2 is the combustion, especially in electric power plants, of mined coal that tends to contain 1 to 5% sulfur. About half of the sulfur is trapped as inclusions in the mineral content of coal. If the coal is pulverized before combustion, this type of sulfur can be removed mechanically. The other half of the sulfur however, is bonded in the complex carbon structure and cannot be removed without expensive processing.

Both nitrogen and sulfur oxides are known to react with water in the atmosphere to form acids. These reactions are the source of polluted acid rain. The formation of acid solutions by SO2 is explained as a two - step process. assume that sulfur dioxide molecules first react with water molecules, forming molecules of sulfurous acid:

SO2(gas) + H2O(liquid) H2SO3(aq)

Sulfurous acid molecules then react with water producing an equilibrium with H⁺(aq) and hydrogen sulfite. Sulfurous acid is considered a weak acid as it only partially ionizes into H⁺(aq):

H2SO3(aq) + H2O(liquid) H⁺(aq) + HSO3^-(aq)

Sulfur dioxide can also react with oygen or ozone to form sulfur trioxide:

2 SO_2(gas) + O_2(gas)2SO_3(gas)

SO_2(gas)+ O_3(gas)SO_3(gas)+ O_2(gas) _{The sulfur trioxide then reacts with atmospheric moisture to form sulfuric acid:}
SO_3(gas) + H₂O_(liquid)H₂SO_4(aq)

This sulfuric acid is a strong acid that ionizes 100% in atmospheric precipitaion to produce H⁺_(aq) ions:

H₂SO_4(aq)H⁺_(aq)+ HSO₄^-_(aq) _{These H}⁺_{(aq) are responsible for the acidic effects of acid rain.}

_{Car engines burn gasoline using air air as a source of oxygen. The primary component of air is nitrogen and its exposure to the high temperatures inside car engines forms the pollutant nitrogen monoxide (NO). Sunlight provides the energy that promotes a series of secondary reactions producing nitrogen dioxide and ground level ozone that both participate in acid rain reactions.}

_{Direct scavening of NO2 bt atmospheric water contributes little nitric acid (HNO3) on account of the low solubility of NO2 in water:}

_{2NO2(gas) + 2H2O(liquid) HNO2(aq) + HNO3(aq)}

_{Acid rain containing considerable amounts of nitric acid likely originated without water:}

_{NO2(gas) + O3(gas) NO3(gas) + O(2(gas)}

The gaseous NO3 then reacts with any reactive hydrogen donor ( X ) in the atmosphere:

_{NO3(gas) + XH(gas) HNO3(aq)}

_{Nitric acid like sulfuric acid is strong an completely ionizes into aqueous hydrogen and nitrate ions:}

_{HNO3(aq) H}⁺_{(aq) + NO3}^-_(aq)

_{Technologies are now developing for the recovery of oxides from exuast gases. For example, some industries have added sulfur oxide recovery units to smoke stacks at large smelters. In addition to reducing sulfur dioxide emissions by over 50%, the sulfuric acid produced is sold as a valuable bi-product.}

ACID RAIN

Impacts of Acid Rain on Soils

What Are the Effects of Sulfuric Acid?

What Is the Connection Between Acid Rain and Sulfuric Acid?

What Are Sulfur Emissions?

What Are the Best Acid Rain Solutions?

A Great Demand For Water Pollution Solutions Necessary For Survival

Acid Is Falling From The Sky

Acid Rain: A Problem Which Concerns Us All

Acid Rain Pollution

Acid Rain - Its Causes And Effects

Acid Rain: How Can We Reverse Its Effects?

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What causes acid reflux?

What Is Acid Reflux? What Causes Acid Reflux?

The esophageal sphincter

Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms: Knowing your Body

Symptoms And Natural Cure For Acid Reflux

Using Acid Reflux Medicine To Get Rid Of The Annoying Heartburns

Avoid Food And beverages That Cause Acid reflux

The Right and Effective Home Remedies for Acid Reflux

Numerous Remedies for Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux Is A Medical Problem

The Harms of Acid Rain

Acid Rain Program

History

Compliance strategies

THE FACTS ABOUT ACID RAIN

Acid Rain – Control If Before It Ruins New Parts Of The Earth

What Is Acid Precipitation?

Harmful Consequences of Acid Rain

Prevent Acid rain:

How is Acid Rain Formed

How to Avoid Acid Rain

Effects of acid rain on automotive coatings

What Are the Different Types of Acid Rain Damage?

Acid rain- its effects and control measures

Effects of Acid Rain

Control Measures for Acid Rain

Chemistry of Acid Rain

The Effects Of Acid Rain In Our Every Day Life

Acid Rain

What is this?

What is Acid Rain?

What impact does it have?

What impact does Acid Rain have?

What has been done about it?

What has been done about Acid Rain?

Is this action working?

Are Acid Rain reduction actions working?

Should it continue? On one side, there are those who are against

Should Acid Rain reduction actions continue?

New Solutions For Acid Rain

Different Area effect of Acid rain

Environmental Pollution Effects on Humans

Air Pollution Effects (1, 2)

Water Pollution Effects (3)

Soil Pollution Effects (4)

Environmental Pollution Effects on Animals

Effects of Pollution on Animals - Air Pollution (5)

Effects of Pollution on Animals - Water Pollution (6)

Effects of Pollution on Animals - Soil Pollution (8)

Environmental Pollution Effects on Trees and Plants

Air Pollution (9)

Water Pollution

Soil Pollution

Environmental Pollution Effects on Wider Environment

The Effects of Acid Rain

Acid Rain

Combustion of Fossil Fuels

Smog and Acid Rain

Ocean acidification - Acid rains affecting oceans

Acid rain - Formation and impact

Acid Rain - Its Effects and What You Can Do to Help:

The Devastating Effects Of Acid Rain

Acid Rain & Caustic Residues

Why is Acid Rain Harmful?

What is acid rain?

What is raildust?

What is fallout? Acid Rain affect the cars