Acid Presipitation Essay Example

the other substance. Once this reaction takes place, both substances move closer to a pH level of 7, which is considered neutral. This practice is known as Salting.

Salting involves introducing salt, chalk, or limestone into lakes and streams in order to lower water acidity and counteract the effects of acid rain. However, it should be noted that this solution is temporary and does not prevent acid rain from occurring; rather it simply neutralizes existing acidity (Sheets, 1998).

Moreover, extensive efforts have been made to reduce acid rain production by decreasing sulfur dioxide emissions. One approach entails implementing the sulfur dioxide reduction program as part of the 1990 Clean Air Act. This program works alongside existing regulations on sulfur dioxide pollution based on health concerns in order to safeguard public health and protect the environment from both local and distant sources of sulfur dioxide emissions. The law aims to reduce levels of sulfur dioxide pollution through a market-based system. By 2000, it is anticipated that annual releases of sulfur dioxide will be approximately forty percent lower than those recorded in 1980 (Sheets).The reduction of acid rain can be significantly decreased by taking two phases of action. The first phase, which began on January 1, 1995, involved reducing emissions from coal-burning boilers in power plants across multiple states. As a result, acid rain concentrations decreased by 25%. The second phase, effective in 2000, further reduced the release of sulfur dioxide by implementing emission monitoring systems.

When deciding on the location for manufacturing plants, it is important to consider their proximity to transportation routes and sources of raw materials. It is also crucial to take into account the market for

the final product. Placing sulfuric acid plants near the market can help reduce transportation costs due to complex commission proof containers needed for its transport. On the other hand, sulfur can be easily transported by truck or railway car.

Operating a sulfuric acid plant requires various types of workers including chemists, technicians, administrators, computer operators, and salespeople. A significant number of workers are needed on a daily basis; therefore it is likely that such a diverse workforce would be located near major population centers.

The production of industrial chemicals necessitates large amounts of energy; thus the location of the plant often depends on its proximity to an abundant energy supply.However, the most crucial factor when selecting a location is environmental concerns. The chemical reaction involved in converting sulfur and other substances into sulfuric acid produces harmful byproducts like sulfur dioxide, which contribute to acid rain. Therefore, sulfuric acid plants are environmentally damaging due to their release of sulfur compounds.

Furthermore, it is predicted that United States utilities will double their coal consumption by 2000. Currently, these utilities emit approximately 23 million tons of nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere each year, with transportation sources accounting for 40% of these emissions (Williams, 1989).

In Canada, provincial authorities report fish loss in around 4000 lakes in Ontario alone. They also predict that if acid rain continues at its current rate, an additional 48,500 lakes in Ontario could experience fish loss over the next twenty years.

Acid rain not only affects Ontario but also contaminates rivers that flow to the Atlantic Ocean along Nova Scotia's eastern shores. This pollution poses a significant threat to the $2 million fishing industry in the area.

Moreover, acid rain

has various negative effects on forests such as scarring hardwood leaves and causing ferns and lichens to wither. It also accelerates coniferous needle death and sterilizes seeds. Overall, it weakens forests and makes them susceptible to disease and decay.Furthermore, acid rain has negative effects on soil, such as neutralizing important growth chemicals and stripping others from the soil. These stripped chemicals are then carried into lakes. Additionally, this process hinders soil respiration. The extensive environmental damage caused by acid rain includes corroding metal and limestone structures, contaminating crucial minerals, reducing soil fertility, and decreasing pH levels in lakes and ponds. Consequently, a debate has arisen regarding the impact of acid rain. Not only does it harm animals and humans by creating an unfavorable environment, but it also calls into question our responsibility to protect the planet and give back to Mother Earth.

Bibliography:
- Fred Pearce, "Acid Rain.What is it and what is it doing to us?" Penguin Publishing House, 1987.
- Stone William, "Acid Rain.Fiend or Foe?" New York Publishers, 1989.- Gail Steward,"Acid Rain" Lucent books Inc.,1990

Leslie R. Alm, "Scientists and the Acid Rain policy in Canada and the US." Science, Technology, and Human Values, 1997, 349.

"Acid Rain: Bad News About The Good News" Business Week, 25 October 1999.

Anne E. Smith, Jeremy Platt, A. Denny Ellerman, "The cost of reducing SO2: It's (higher than you think)" Public Utilities Fortnightly, 15 May 1998.

Raymond Brown, "Acid Rain-A Definition"14 April 1999 http://www.qlink.queensu.ca

Edward J. Nuanes, "Whats being done?What is Europe and the UN-ECE doing?" http://www.ec.gc.ca/acidrain

Dale W. Sheets,"Acid Rain:The Facts"23 March 1998 http://www.brixworth.demon.co.uk

Department od Enviormental Protection,"Acid

Rain In Pennsylvania"http://www.dep.state.pa.us

Chuck,"Acid Rain" ChuckIII's College Resources