Acid Rain Has Greater Impact on Coastal Ocean Waters

Acid rain plays a small role in making the world's oceans more acidic. But new research has found that acid rain has a much bigger impact on the coastal sections of the ocean. Acid rain is caused by pollution in the atmosphere from power plants, cars, farming, and ranching.

When coastal areas become more acidic, marine animals such as sea urchins, corals, and certain types of planktons have a hard time creating exoskeletons (their hard outer shells). Because these animals are an important food source for other animals in the ocean, if they don't survive the food chain of the entire ocean ecosystem could be affected.

Scott Doney is a scientist on a team that has been looking into the affects of acid rain on the ocean and coastal areas. "Acid rain isn't just a problem of the land; it's also affecting the ocean," said Scott Doney. He added thar the problems from acid rain are the worst near the coasts. Coastal areas are vunerable because they have already been damaged by pollution, overfishing and climate change.

Also, phytoplankton and other ocean plants become overgrown when there is more acid in the oceans. When this happens, there are more areas of the ocean that don't have enough oxygen in them for plants and animals to live.When doing their study, the research team built models of the ocean and the atmosphere to see where acid rain will probably have the biggest impact. They compared the results of their model with field observations other scientists made in coastal waters around the United States.

Environmental Problems Related to Electric Power Plant Emissions

Electric power plant emissions are factors in three major environmental issues: acid rain, urban air quality, and global climate change. These issues are discussed below.

Acid rain refers to rain, fog, mist, or snow that is more acidic than normal. The acidity of precipitation is stated in terms of its pH level, which describes the concentration of hydrogen ions along a scale (from 0 to 14) that defines the continuum from acid to base. The pH scale is logarithmic; pH levels of 4.0 and 3.0, for example, are 10 and 100 times more acidic, respectively, than a pH level of 5.0. Although a pH level of 7.0 is neutral, unpolluted rainfall is normally slightly acidic (pH=5.6). Acid rain is defined as any precipitation with a pH of 5.5 or less.

Chemical analysis of data collected by means of cloud sampling and experimentation reveals the presence of sulphuric acid and nitric acid in precipitation in the United States .Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the air, partly the result of emissions from electric power plants, gradually react with water vapor and become acids. Precipitation becomes acidic by mixing with these acids. The acidity of the precipitation depends upon the amount of acid in the atmosphere and the amount of water in which it is dissolved. Undissolved acids may also fall to Earth by themselves or in combination with dust particles.

The most severely acidic conditions are found in the eastern United States. EPA believes that acid rain has been the primary cause of the acidification of hundreds of streams in the mid-Atlantic highlands and the New Jersey Pine Barrens and of many lakes in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.The National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) identified acid rain as one of several possible causes of increased nitrate leaching and acidification of surface waters in several northeastern watersheds. Episodes of acidification are believed to harm populations of fish and invertebrates in small streams and lakes.

Field studies have implicated acid rain in observed damage to high-elevation red spruce forests in the northeastern United States. Nutrient leaching and changes in soil chemistry due to acid deposition have also been detected in forests south of the Great Lakes. In general, NAPAP concluded that acid deposition, among other stressors, threatens the long-term structure, function, and productivity of many sensitive ecosystems.

Some research suggests that emissions of sulphates and other pollutants from the combustion of fossil fuels may be linked to abnormally high mortality rates in humans.Clinical studies have shown lung irritation and impaired lung cleansing in human subjects exposed to acidic aerosols.

Urban ozone - Electric power plants contribute heavily to NOx emissions, which are precursor chemicals that (along with VOCs) react in the atmosphere in the presence of sunlight to form ozone. Strong concentrations of ozone often occur in and downwind of large urban areas.

During cardiovascular exercise, human exposure to ozone at concentrations both above and below the 120-part-per-billion maximum allowed under the NAAQS has been shown to result in transient respiratory problems.Ozone can also seriously irritate the eyes and mucous membranes. The effects of elevated ozone levels are not known for all types of vegetation, but such levels are harmful to many types of trees and crops. High ozone concentrations seem to be more detrimental than low-level extended exposure.

The assessment of the impact of NOx controls on ozone concentrations is complex and must be studied carefully in developing ozone abatement strategies, according to a 1992 report from a National Research Council committee. The committee found that ambient measurements of VOC/NOx ratios--which, as they vary, have different effects on ozone formation--were larger than expected from an assessment of emission inventories. The committee also determined that the effectiveness of efforts to control VOC and NOx emissions depends on ambient VOC/NOx ratios. Generally, at ratios of 10 or less, VOC control is more effective and NOx control may be counterproductive. At ratios greater than 20, NOx control is generally more effective. Hence, if VOC emission inventories have been understated, past ozone control strategies may have been misdirected. Tighter controls on NOx may be more effective in controlling ozone under certain circumstances.

The committee also found that combinations of biogenic VOCs and anthropogenic NOx can significantly affect ozone formation in some urban and rural regions of the United States and concluded, again, that the appropriate strategy may be to monitor and control NOx emissions.

Sulphuric Acid Rain

The technology and industries are so much developing that there is least botheration about the atmosphere. Acid rain is one such thing caused by result of air pollution. Acid rain in general, brings down all the sulphur and nitrogen compounds present in the atmosphere. It is a problem present all over the world.A pH scale could be used to measure acid rain. Acidity increases with decrease in pH value.

FORMATION OF SULPHURIC ACID RAIN

The industries that generally emits smoke and fumes have high sulphur content in it. This reacts with the oxygen in the air and produces sulphur dioxide (SO2). The clouds already have O2  and H2O in it. When all the substance react chemically, sulphuric acid is formed.

The simple formula is

SO2 + O2 + H2 O = H2SO4


EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN
 

The above said reactions may take a long time to complete. Hence it is not necessary for the acid rain to occur only from the source of pollution area. The wind may carry away the clouds and so the acid rain may occur even hundred kilometers from polluted area.

Acid rain just doesn’t affect the life of a human being. It even destroys forests and buildings and rivers. Below is the list of effects caused due to acid rain.

• The acid rain reduces the productivity of agricultural crops by releasing aluminum after reacting with the soil, which is a very harmful substance.
• It damages and destroys the leaves that make the trees unable to perform photosynthesize.
• It also pollutes the water thus making the aquatic animals difficult to survive.
• Every building erodes by times. But acid rain is so bad that it makes the erosion process happen faster.
• They also release harmful ions into the water.
• They degrade many rich contents like magnesium and calcium from the soil.
• If the acidity level is high, then they can harm humans by creating a burning sensation in the body.

STEPS TO PREVENT

Nothing is too late when started by now. The following steps could be adhered to minimize the formation of acid rain.

• It is better to cycle or walk to reach nearby place rather than driving a car. Public transports could also be used for the same.
• The various steps to control pollution should be identified and the same should be implemented.
• Switching to use of renewable energy like wind and water is also an excellent step to be taken.
• People should stop burning rubbish things as it might lead to harmful substances in air.
• The resource used should be less and only when needed.
• It is also good to plant trees as they might absorb some polluted air and give out fresh oxygen.
• In order to restore the damage done by acid rain, limestone can be mixed in water to neutralize it.

On the final note, apart from following the above points, one should also make it necessary to educate other people so that we can live a healthy life.

ACID RAIN FORMATION

Acid rain is formed mainly because of burning of fossil fuel. When fossil fuel is burned large amount of air pollution is being formed that in turn create air pollution. The air pollution contains sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrous oxides (NOx).In other words acid rain is caused mainly due to the chemical reaction that take place when sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide released in to the atmosphere. The acid rain formation is primarily called as acid deposition.

The component of acid deposition is sulphuric acid and nitric acid. Sulphuric acid is formed by the reaction that takes place between sulphur dioxides and water, oxygen and other chemicals in the air. Nitric acid is formed by the reaction that takes place between nitrous oxides (NOx) and water, oxygen and other chemicals in the air.

Burning of coal, oil, natural gas, wood is generally called fossil fuel which is the main reason behind formation of acid rain. The reason does not only stop with the list of chemical it includes human activities too. Humans are also one of the main reasons behind the formation of acid rain. They release so many pollution knowingly and unknowingly.In simple terms acid rain is formed because of pollution.

Out of hundred percentage of the acid rain formation, 70% is caused mainly because of sulphur dioxide. The electrical utility plant is the main source of sulphur dioxide. Rest thirty percentage is because of the exhaust that comes out of cars, buses, trucks etc. 

The reaction that takes place in air takes time, it can be for hours, it can be for days, and during the reaction the polluted air will be covering miles and kilometers. The acid rain when it falls it not only destroys the environment but also the life of a human being, plants, animals and also destroys the organisms in lakes and ponds. If acid rain destroys forest it ultimately affects the humans. If forest is being affected, humans may not get fresh air in the long run, water and even the atmosphere gets damaged as well.

 The emission that comes out of automobile causes 30% of the acid rain formation. This emission can be controlled by humans. Instead of taking cars, two wheeler, to drive to a particular place, one can take up a cycle or else can go walking. Which is healthy for oneself and as well as for the environment.

The main reason for the sulphuric acid formation is due to the in proper usage of electricity.
The other way to reduce is to use electricity properly. Seventy percentage of acid rain formation is due to sulphur dioxide formation. The electricity usage if properly used the formation of acid rain can be prevented to a certain extend. Switching off light, turning off  TV when not in use, putting computer in off mode instead of sleep mode, reducing air conditioning and heat usage are some of the prevention technique from the formation of acid rain.