Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia

Acid deposition monitoring covers four environmental media - wet deposition, dry deposition, soil and vegetation, and inland aquatic environment.Monitoring for wet and dry deposition are implemented in order to measure concentrations and fluxes of acidic substances deposited to the ground, while monitoring for soil and vegetation, and inland aquatic environment are being implemented to assess adverse impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.Monitoring

1. Wet Deposition:
Monitoring Interval - every 24 hours or every precipitation event for an urban, rural or remotesite
Major Parameters - Precipitation anaysis: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), concentrations of
sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-) and other ions

2. Dry Deposition:

Monitoring Interval - every day to two weeks, or every hour when measured by automatic instruments
Major Measurements - Gases: concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone(O3) and others Particulate components.

3. Soil and Vegetation:
Monitoring Interval - once three to five year
Major Parameters - Soil:pH, concentrations of exchangeable ions and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) Vegetation (forest): survey of tree decline, and general description of forest.

4. Inland Aquatic Environment:

Monitoring Interval - More than four times a year
Major Parameters - Inland water :pH, electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity and ions

EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN, SNOW AND FOG

Acid deposition, from human-caused emissions of oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, is probably the greatest threat to small boreal lakes in Canada and Eurasia.[2] Acidifying sulphur oxide emissions have been reduced by over 50% in Canada. Legislation has been passed to compel similar reductions in the United States by early in the twenty-first century. However, these measures are estimated to have reduced the potential effect of acid precipitation on Canadian lakes by only about half.

The rapid decline in DOC caused by acidification caused much greater increases in UV-B penetration than climate warming alone. In the most acidified lake, 302S, the depth of 1% UV-B penetration increased from about 0.3 meters to over 2.8 meters --nearly a tenfold increase. As a result, the proportion of the lake's volume exposed to greater than 1% of UV-B increased over eightfold, from 6% to nearly 50%.Overall, the study's authors estimate about 140,000 of the nearly 700,000 lakes (i.e., about 20 percent) in eastern Canada may have DOC concentrations low enough for UV-B penetration to be of concern. The highest concern, they say, must be for clear, shallow lakes, streams and ponds, where even modest declines in DOC may eliminate the small regions that are deep enough to provide refuges from damaging UV- B radiation. 

However, most species disappear in natural aquatic ecosystems at higher pH values (less acidic conditions) than predicted by laboratory tests, thus suggesting that, in ecosystems, additional stresses enhance the effects of acidification. It is possible that one such stress is the increased exposure to UV-B caused by DOC decreases in acidified lakes. These results indicate that in aquatic systems, climate warming and/or acidification can increase the exposure of organisms to UV-B much more than changes in UV-B caused by depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. The authors say that, in clear oligotrophic lakes [(.e., clear, healthy lakes that lack excessive nutrients for plants, and have plenty of dissolved oxygen), the decreases in DOC caused by climate warming, drought and acidification should be of much more concern than depletion of stratospheric ozone, so far as UV-B exposure is concerned.

Effect of Acid rain on vegetation

Many scientists now believe that the direct and indirect impacts of acid deposition on vegetation are substantive, whether these effects are measured in a biological or an economic context.The growth rate of spruce trees in the Green Mountains of Vermont declined by 50% between 1963 and 1973.Tree ring analysis suggests similar reductions in forest growth in Europe. Acid precipitation has been implicated in these declines, but unambiguous cause effect relationships are lacking. 

Factors

In addition to the extent of acid deposition (concentration or total deposition), the response of plants to acid deposition will depend on a number of factors including:

• Plant species, ecotype or cultivar.
• Plant age or stage of development.
• Characteristics of exposure (frequency, duration, period, form of acidity, time between exposures, and others).
• Other environmental factors that affect plant vigour.
• Buffering capacity/sensitivity.
• To address these challenges, many scientists have resorted to research in controlled environments such as greenhouses or growth chambers, using simulated acid precipitation.

Direct effects of acid precipitation on plants:

The acid rain affects the crops as well as the vegetation. The effect of acid rain on plants is grave. It not only damages the root, but also stops its growth and brings an end to the life of a plant. The nutritive value of the soil is reduced to a great extent as an effect of acid rain. Acid rain effects can be seen on the useful micro organisms which convert the decayed organic matter into essential nutrients for the soil. The consequence is that the micro organisms are killed resulting in reducing the availability of nutrients for the soil and plants. Also, the waxy layer of the leaves is damaged which make the plant more and more susceptible to diseases.

The havoc done by acid rain is not localised in the place where it is caused. The atmospheric emissions may travel for several days and over long distances depending upon wind and climatic conditions, before coming down as acid rain. The problem caused in an industrialised area may therefore result in acid rain in the surrounding forests or lakes, or even further away. It is believed that around 50% of the acid rain that occurs in Canada is due to pollution caused in the United States of America, and the effect of polluting industries in England can be felt in Norway

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.