Acid Rain Pollution Essay Example

Washington, Oregon (entirely), sections of California, and most of Idaho.

The areas affected by acid rain comprise Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and a significant portion of northeast Canada. Acid rain also impacts the Black forest in Baden-Wurttemberg, southwestern Germany. In these regions, the soil is incapable of neutralizing the acid rain deposits. This leads to nutrient depletion and potential crop loss. The valleys in the Black forest are fertile and suitable for pastureland and vineyards; however, acid rain has had severe consequences on the forests here. It results in tree mortality and extensive needle loss, leading to sparse crowns. Despite these challenges, industries like lumbering wood, toy manufacturing, and cuckoo clocks continue to thrive. Moreover, winter sports and mineral springs attract tourists to these affected areas.

Acid rain has the potential to harm and degrade soils, depleting their nutrients. However, certain soils, known as alkaline soils or bases, have the ability to counteract and diminish the impact of acid deposits from the atmosphere. In 1838, a chemist named Justus von Liebig provided a valuable definition of an acid, stating that it is a compound containing hydrogen which can react with a metal to generate hydrogen gas.

Soil is created through the breakdown of rocks and the addition of organic matter from plants and animals. It forms the loose outer layer of the Earth's surface, originating from solid rock. Soil is essential for agriculture as it provides a natural medium for terrestrial plant growth. It can be composed of acid, neutral, or alkaline rocks; examples of alkaline rocks with high calcium levels include limestone and chalk. The presence of calcium in alkaline soil helps to

weaken or neutralize acid rain upon contact. To counteract soil acidity, farmers regularly use lime (a powerful alkaline substance) and specialized fertilizers.

Soil structure is classified based on whether it is sandy, clay, or loam. However, most garden soils contain a combination of these three types in different proportions. Sandy soil lacks water retention ability and is loose. In contrast, clay soil is dense and heavy; it becomes sticky when wet and hard as brick when dry. Loam combines characteristics of both sand and clay soils along with a significant amount of humus - decomposed organic matter. Humus aerates and loosens clay soil while also binding particles in sandy soil together. Moreover, humus provides essential nutrients for plants. Therefore, to improve the quality of the soil, compost, manure, peat moss, and other organic matter can be incorporated into the soil through digging.

Certain regions in North America, including the western United States, Minneapolis, northeastern North America, and east and north Canada, are more vulnerable to acid deposits than other areas. Factors such as soil chemistry and rock type influence the ability of these regions to neutralize acid deposits caused by rainfall.

Toxic minerals such as mercury, aluminum, and cadmium naturally occur in soils. Normally, these minerals are not a major concern. However, an increase in soil acidity triggers chemical reactions that enable plants to absorb these minerals. Consequently, both the plants and any animals that consume them suffer from the absorption of toxins. These toxins accumulate in animal bodies, potentially causing harm or death. In addition, the harmful minerals can seep out of the soil and contaminate streams and lakes, endangering fish

and other organisms. Pollution worsens this issue by introducing more minerals into the soil. A notable example illustrating this problem is found in certain parts of Poland where vegetable crops were found to have lead levels ten times higher than what is considered safe.

Lime-free soil is necessary for some plants to prevent them from turning yellow and becoming unhealthy. Additionally, water from limestone sources can neutralize the soil used for irrigation. The acidity in the soil can be reduced over time with certain fertilizers, but it can also be restored by adding alum, sulfur, or gypsum. An alternative solution is to replace the entire bed with nine inches of acidic soil. Although making neutral soils more acidic is challenging, sulfur is often employed for this purpose; however, its effects are gradual.

Certain plants in certain areas with alkaline soil can benefit from acid rain because they thrive in acidic conditions. This category includes acid-loving plants such as azalea, camellia, gardenias, blueberries, and rhododendron. The acidity or alkalinity of soil affects its biological and chemical processes. Excessively alkaline or acidic soil can harm many plants, while neutral soil supports most processes.

Florida's sandy soils are naturally acidic, but the soil can be quickly transformed from acid to neutral or even alkaline by the presence of lime and calcium, which can be derived from small shells frequently encountered in the area.

Florida's beaches are sandy.

When acid rain falls from the sky, it is absorbed by plants when the soil is wet. The excess water in the soil then evaporates into the air, forming clouds and preparing to fall as precipitation again.

Acid rain behaves similarly by returning to the atmosphere through evaporation instead of staying in the soil.

Penologists are scientists who study the soil and classify it based on polypedon characteristics. There are ten groups of soils: Alfisols, Aridisols, Entisols, Histosols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, Oxisols, Spodosols, Ultisols, and Vertisols. Alfisols develop in forests and grasslands with humid climates. Aridisols occur in dry areas with low organic matter content. Entisols have minimal development. Histosols are organic soils found in water-saturated environments like swamps and bogs. Inceptisols have slight development. Mollisols form in prairie regions and have thick topsoils rich in organic matter. Oxisols are highly weathered soils with a reddish color, commonly found in tropical regions. Spodosols are well-developed acid soils with iron, aluminum, and organic matter in the B horizons. They form in humid climates. Vertisols form in warm climates with subhumid or arid conditions and create wide, deep cracks during dry seasons.

There are several soil groups, including the tundra, podzol, and chernozem soils. Tundra soils have darker subsoils and dark brown surfaces compared to arctic regions with permafrost. These soils can be suitable for farming if they have good drainage and if permafrost is not present or lies deep beneath the surface. Podzol soils are found in forests and humid regions, and they are moderately to strongly leached. They do not naturally support high agricultural productivity. Chernozem soils, also known as "black earth" in Russian, have a dark upper layer and lighter-colored soil beneath. They typically form under grasses in cool temperate climates. While subhumid climates are highly productive for chernozem soils, the land may need fertilizer after prolonged use.

Acid rain is a significant problem that has devastating effects and is worsening every day. It is crucial to take immediate action to address and resolve this issue before it becomes irreversible. This article will discuss the harmful impact of acid rain on wildlife and the destruction of our atmosphere.

The primary sources of sulphuric acid in Canada, which causes acid rain, are non-ferrous smelters and power generation. Nitric acid, responsible for around 40% of total emissions, is generated by cars and trucks. Power plants, industrial, commercial, and residential fuel combustion contribute the majority of remaining emissions. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides present in the air can transform into sulphuric acid and nitric acid respectively. These acids can be carried thousands of kilometers from their original source by air currents. When they precipitate onto the earth's surface as acid rain, they have a profound impact on the growth and survival of certain wildlife species.

Certain regions near Ontario's Great Lakes can protect themselves from acid rain due to substances like limestone neutralizing acids in bodies of water.

The areas near Ontario's Pre-Cambrian Shield lack defense mechanisms against acid deposition due to their geology consisting mainly of quartzite or granite with limited topsoil. This poses a threat to fisheries in lakes located in Muskoka, Haliburton, Algonquin, Parry Sound, and Manitoulin if sulphur emissions are not reduced. In the Muskoka-Haliburton lake country of Ontario, the average pH of rainfall ranges from 3.95 to 4.38, making it approximately 40 times more acidic than normal rainfall. Comparatively, storms in Pennsylvania have a rainfall pH of 2.8, similar to vinegar's acidity level.

Currently, there are 140 dead or dying lakes

in Ontario and an additional 48,000 lakes at risk of acid rain due to concentrated acidic soils surrounding them. Despite having fewer people, power plants,and automobiles than the United States , Canada still considers acid rain as a significant environmental concern.Worldwide atmospheric pollution includes various pollutants such as carbon dioxide (20 billion tons annually), sulfur dioxide (130 million tons annually), hydrocarbons (97 million tons annually), nitrogen oxides (53 million tons annually), toxic metals like arsenic,cadmium lead mercury nickel zinc (over three million tons collectively), synthetic organic compounds like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides like toxapheneCertain substances have the potential to cause detrimental effects such as cancer, birth defects, or genetic imbalances. These effects can ultimately result in the occurrence of acid rain.

Pollutants have various consequences, including their contribution to acid rain. In the United States, the reaction between nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons produces ozone, which is a significant air pollutant. This ozone is responsible for annual crop losses valued at $2 billion to 4.5 billion in crops such as wheat, corn, soybeans, and peanuts. Toxic metals can also cause unknown interactions; for instance, acid rain in Canada has led to fish loss in approximately 4000 lakes in Ontario alone. If the current rate of pollution continues, provincial authorities estimate that acid rain will affect an additional 48,500 lakes within the next twenty years.

The eastern shores of Nova Scotia face similar issues since nearly every river flowing into the Atlantic Ocean is contaminated with acid. This poses a major threat to the fishing industry in the region, which generates $2 million per year. Furthermore, acid rain's effects extend beyond bodies of water by harming hardwood forests;

it damages their leaves and causes ferns and lichens to wither while coniferous needles die off faster and seeds become sterilized. Overall, these forests weaken and become susceptible to disease and decay.

Acid rain also neutralizes crucial growth chemicals present in soil while stripping others from it and transporting them into lakes. Additionally, it hampers soil respirationThe rate of forest growth in the White Mountains of New Hampshire has decreased by 18% between 1956 and 1965 due to more intense acidic rainfall. Acid rain has spread from the Northeast to cover half of the continent, impacting lakes, forests, and thin soils. The damage caused by this type of rainfall is similar to excessive chemical fertilizer or a heavy dose of vinegar, potentially leading to irreversible consequences. Its effects can already be observed in crops such as tomatoes that only reach half their normal weight and wilted radish leaves. Acid rain not only affects vegetation but also corrodes stone monuments, concrete structures, and water pipes due to its acidity. Paints and car coatings have shorter lifespans because they are more prone to corrosion from pollution. In some communities, drinking water contains toxic metals as metal pipes erode due to acidity. Additionally, acid rain contributes to smog formation and reduces visibility along the Eastern seaboard from 10 miles down to 4 miles. There is even evidence linking components of acid rain with respiratory diseases in humans. To address these issues, it is crucial to monitor increased concentrations of metals like lead, copper, and zinc in plumbing caused by water supply acidification. To prevent excessive debris buildup during periods when summer cottages or ski chalets are not in use,

it is recommended that taps be run for at least 60 seconds.STATISTICS: Limited data suggests that rain acidity has increased in different regions of the United States during the last two or three decades. Presently, the annual release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere by the United States exceeds 26 million tons. Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois alone contribute to nearly one-fourth of this total emission. The primary sources of sulfur dioxide emissions in the country are power plants fueled by coal or oil, which account for approximately two-thirds of these emissions. Additionally, industrial boilers, smelters, and refineries contribute to 26% while commercial institutions and residences constitute 5%. Transportation also adds another 3% to these emissions.

The future forecast for sulfur dioxide emissions is bleak, as it is anticipated that United States utilities will double their coal consumption by the year 2000. Currently, approximately 23 million tons of nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere each year in the United States. These emissions come from various sources, including transportation (40%), power plants (30%), industrial sources (25%), and commercial institutions and residues (5%). What is particularly concerning is that nitrogen oxide emissions have tripled over the past three decades.

Collaboration among governments is necessary to combat acid rain, which poses a tangible and significant threat. Stricter measures should be implemented against factories that lack proper filtering systems or emit harmful fumes. I pose this question to the public: Would you rather pay a smaller cost now or face substantial costs later?

As the century progressed, industrial society made advancements; however, it had both benefits and drawbacks. Acid deposition, a result of emissions from power

plants, fossil fuels, and automobiles, is one of the harmful effects. Although scientists prefer to use the term acid deposition, acid rain is commonly employed. Acid rain can have adverse effects on the environment including forest damage and a reduction in pH levels in lakes that renders the water excessively acidic for numerous aquatic plants and animals to thrive.

Charles Angus Smith, an Englishman, is recognized as the pioneer in acid rain research. In 1852, he hypothesized that sulfuric acid in Manchester, England was responsible for corroding metals and causing fading of dyed goods. One of the primary sources of acid rain can be attributed to fossil fuels which serve various purposes within society. Fossil fuel has numerous applications such as generating electricity in power plants, powering industrial boilers and smelters, supporting businesses, schools, homes, and all types of vehicles. Globally, these energy sources contribute approximately 23.1 million tons of sulfur dioxide and 20.5 million tons of nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere annually. The combustion process involved in burning fossil fuels like oil and coal releases carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas that traps heat within the Earth's atmosphere resulting in ongoing global warming. Furthermore, when fossil fuels are burned they also release other harmful substances into the atmosphere including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury along with aluminum which undergo chemical reactions.