Quck answer
Acid rain is a harmful environmental phenomenon caused by pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, released into the atmosphere from industrial activities and vehicle emissions. When these pollutants combine with water vapor, they form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, resulting in acid rain.
Acid rain can have detrimental effects on ecosystems, including forests, lakes, and rivers. It damages plant life by leaching essential nutrients from the soil and stunting growth. It also pollutes water bodies, making them inhospitable for aquatic organisms.
Furthermore, acid rain can erode buildings, statues, and infrastructure made of stone or metal. It poses a threat to human health when pollutants from acid rain are inhaled or ingested through contaminated food and water sources.
In conclusion, acid rain is indeed dangerous, causing ecological damage, harming infrastructure, and posing health risks to both the environment and humans.
Perhaps you are someone who is deeply concerned about the environment. Everyone has the ability to make positive changes, such as reducing plastic usage, recycling, and conserving water. However, there are certain issues that are beyond the scope of individual efforts. These problems require global policies and industry regulations. Let’s examine one major issue that has seen improvement due to worldwide changes—acid rain.
Acid rain may sound frightening. Does it mean that acid is actually falling on us when we play outside in the rain? Not exactly. The acidity of substances is measured on the pH scale, where a measure of seven is considered neutral. Anything below seven is acidic, while anything above seven is alkaline, or basic. Rain that is considered “clean” has a pH of 5.6. Currently, rain in the northern hemisphere has a pH ranging from four to seven.
Acid rain has been observed for over 150 years. In the 1850s, Scottish scientist Robert Angus Smith was the first to note higher-than-expected levels of acid in rain. He conducted studies on acid rain levels in Europe. During this time, many regions around the world were experiencing rapid industrial growth. Smith investigated the connection between man-made pollution and acid rain.
While natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions can contribute to acid rain, the primary culprits are human activities. Factories and power plants that burn coal are major sources of pollution. Automobile emissions also contribute significantly. These emissions release gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides, which combine with water in clouds to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
Acid rain is technically referred to as acid deposition. It occurs when acid moves from the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface. All forms of precipitation can be acidic, including rain, sleet, snow, hail, drizzle, and fog. Acid can also be transported through dry particles and gases, which are often difficult to detect. The problem of acid rain can spread over vast distances, as clouds can be carried by the wind for hundreds of miles before releasing rain.
So, how big of a problem is acid rain? Is it dangerous? In the 1970s, the effects of acid rain became evident. Lakes around the world became crystal clear, which may seem beautiful, but it actually indicated the absence of life in the water. Fish populations declined significantly, and deformed fish and aquatic animals were discovered globally. Forests experienced an increasing number of dead and dying trees.
Acid rain negatively impacts trees, plants, and animals, as well as their habitats. Food chains are disrupted, and the soil, which absorbs the rain, releases toxic substances. Plants, animals, and water supplies all suffer from the adverse effects of acid rain.
What about humans? Is acid rain a problem for us? Acid rain indirectly affects human health. The dry deposition of pollutants can worsen conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and other heart and lung issues. Acidic or alkaline drinking water supplies can be challenging to treat effectively. Acid rain also damages food crops.
While not directly related to human health, acid rain is known to accelerate the normal weathering process. Sculptures exposed to the elements deteriorate more quickly. Stone artworks and monuments, especially those made of limestone or marble, show signs of more rapid decay due to acid rain.
In the 1980s, measures were taken to address the issue of acid rain pollution. Worldwide efforts have led to a reduction in the emissions that contribute to acid rain. Scientists have observed that rain in the US is now only half as acidic as it was in the 1980s. Ongoing monitoring of acid rain is being conducted by scientists. The impact of acid rain on farming is currently a concern, but there are signs of recovery in the natural world.
What actions can you take to help control acid rain? What are you already doing to contribute to environmental change?
Give It a Try
As mentioned earlier, acid rain has far-reaching effects on the world. If you want to learn more about these issues, try the following activities:
- Based on what you’ve learned about acid rain’s effects on food chains, create a drawing of a food chain using art materials you have. Consider how acid rain could disrupt the chain and write a paragraph describing the potential consequences for other parts of the chain. Share your drawing and writing with friends and family, and discuss the reasoning behind your choices.
- Are you interested in being involved in solving environmental problems in the future? Perhaps you already have ideas on how to reduce pollution that causes acid rain. Use a Canva template to explain your idea for pollution reduction and how people worldwide can implement it. Discuss your solutions with friends and family.
- Think about something you currently do that helps reduce pollution. Do you turn off lights when leaving a room? Do you use a bike for errands instead of relying on others for transportation? Create a poster showcasing the positive actions you take daily for the environment. Refer to this chart and suggestions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to get started. Share your poster with friends and family, and create a pact to encourage others to make environmentally friendly choices.
References
- https://www.britannica.com/dictionary (accessed 15 Apr., 2023)
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/acid-rain-and-our-ecosystem-20824120/ (accessed 24 Mar., 2023)
- https://www.britannica.com/science/acid-rain/Effects-on-forested-and-mountainous-regions (accessed 24 Mar., 2023)
- https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/acid-rain-and-water#:~:text=Acid%20rain%20leaches%20aluminum%20from,that%20trees%20need%20to%20grow. (accessed 24 Mar., 2023)
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/acid-rain-caused-by-nitrogen-emissions/ (accessed 24 Mar., 2023)
- https://ypte.org.uk/factsheets/acid-rain/what-is-acid-rain#section (accessed 24 Mar., 2023)
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