Acid Rainpsychology Narrative Essay Example

making acid rain Canada's most significant environmental issue. It should be noted that acid rain is only a part of extensive pollution affecting the global atmosphere.Annually, more than 20 billion tons of carbon dioxide, 130 million tons of sulfur dioxide, 97 million tons of hydrocarbons and 53 million tons of nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere worldwide. Moreover, over three million tons of toxic metals like arsenic, lead, mercury, nickel and zinc as well as synthetic organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls and toxaphene are also emitted. These pollutants pose potential health hazards that could cause cancer or birth defects due to genetic imbalances. The interaction between these pollutants can result in various issues. When nitrogen oxides mix with hydrocarbons it creates ozone which results in annual crop losses worth billions for wheat and corn crops in America. The unpredictable reaction of toxic metals when mixed together can also have detrimental effects on ecosystems such as the loss of fish populations in around 4000 lakes due to acid rain in Canada. If acid rain continues at its current rate Ontario may lose fish from an estimated additional 48,500 lakes within two decades. Acidic rivers on Nova Scotia's eastern shores leading to the Atlantic Ocean could result in a yearly loss of $2 million for the fishing industry. Furthermore, acid rain negatively affects hardwood forests, ferns lichens coniferous needles and seeds while also retarding soil respiration by stripping away necessary chemicals for growth.Acidic rainfall has caused a decline in growth rates of 18% between 1956-1965 in New Hampshire's White Mountains. This phenomenon now affects half the continent and damages productive soils, similar to an overdose

of chemical fertilizer or vinegar. Crop yields are affected, with some producing half-grown tomatoes and withered radish leaves. Acid rain corrodes stone monuments, concrete structures, and water pipes in cities which ultimately return back into lakes causing harm to both humans and the environment. The corrosion process is accelerated by pollution leading to shortened longevity of paints used for automobiles. In certain communities toxic metals can be released from metal pipes due to water acidity posing a potential health hazard. Acid rain causes respiratory illness and impairs visibility on the Eastern Seaboard while high levels of lead, copper, and zinc negatively impact human health through contaminated water supplies.

To avoid debris buildup it is recommended to flush taps for at least 60 seconds after periods of non-use.Rainfall acidity has increased across many parts of the US over recent decades due to sulfur dioxide discharged into the atmosphere annually - totaling more than 26 million tons.The majority (two-thirds) comes from coal-fired and oil-fired plants while industrial boilers, smelters, refineries as well as commercial institutions contribute 5%.Unfortunately utilities plan to double coal consumption before year 2000 creating a bleak future for sulfur dioxide emissions.Over a span of three decades, nitrogen oxide emissions have increased threefold. Power plants are responsible for 30%, transportation sources for 40%, industrial sources for 25%, and commercial institutions/residues account for the remaining 5%. This results in an annual total emission reaching approximately 23 million tons. These alarming facts highlight how acid rain's threat to human health and the environment cannot be solved by any single government alone. Instead, it is necessary for all parties involved to collaborate in order to reduce contaminants that lead

to acid rain. Governments should take measures to ensure factories utilize effective filtering systems and prevent harmful fumes from being emitted into the air, despite progress already made towards this goal.