Air Pollution

Scientists have discovered that air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels especially the burning of coal, is the major cause of acid rain, the invisible threat. Acid deposition is not a recent phenomenon. In the 17th century, scientists noted the ill effects that industry and acidic pollution was having on vegetation and people. However, the term acid rain was not coined until two centuries later when Angus Smith published a book called 'Acid Rain' in 1872. In the 1960s, the problems associated with acid deposition became an international problem when fishermen noticed declines in fish numbers and diversity in many lakes throughout North America and Europe. Now Acid rain is commonly know nation wide. It takes place when discharge of sulphur dioxide (S02) and oxides of nitrogen (N0x) react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and oxidants to form various acidic compounds. This mixture then forms a solution of sulphuric and nitric acid compounds. Sunlight then increases the rate of these reactions. Theses compounds then fall to the ground in either a wet form (such as rain, snow and fog or it can fall in a dry form (such as gas particles). Once the acid rain falls the runoff water adds those acids to fully acid rain making the combination more acidic then the falling rain alone. Acid rain causes acidification of rivers and lakes.

Wiping out whole populations of fish also no frog eggs are laid and no bird eggs etc.

All living things surrounding the lake or river die including plant life, which cannot under go photosynthesis. The reason animals and plant life cannot survive, produce or grow is as they like to live in the natural acidity which is 5.6 as it's a comfortable lifestyle. However due to pollution the P.H (potential hydrogen) decreases to 4.2 making it far too acidic and impossible for living things to survive in those conditions. In the middle latitudes, many acidified aquatic systems experience a phenomenon. During the winter the acidic deposits can build-up in the snow pack. With the arrival of spring, snow pack begins to melt quickly and the acids are released over a short period of time at concentrations 5 to 10 times more acidic than rainfall.

Plant life and even whole forests are killed of by acid rain. When acid rain reaches the soil it washes away all the important nutrients that plants need to survive on. It also dissolves small quantities of aluminium and mercury that are present in the soil. Once the toxics are freed they are either flushed into the water systems or absorbed into plants causing drastic affects if eaten by humans. In some places the soil may be high in alkaline bases and so the soil is unaffected by the rain, but normally there is only a small amount of alkaline in normal soil and so with two or three acid rain falls the acid is only stopped briefly. Once there in no more alkaline the acid is free to destroy the fragile ground at its own will. When there are no nutrients left in the soil, the growth of plants and trees are reduced dramatically. When acid rain falls upon trees, the corrosiveness of the precipitation destroys the waxy coating on the leave and needles causing the needles and leaves to die. If a tree looses most of the waxy coating on its needles and leaves the tree loses the ability to make its food by use of photosynthesis. Also without the protective coating the tree loses its defence that help the tree defend off diseases, resulting in that the tree will be come weaker and be vulnerable to other stresses such as insects, drought, and cold temperatures. The cold temperatures are mainly responsible for the death of most trees under these conditions of acid rain.

Acid rain is not only harmful to plants and animals it's also harmful to us, as human beings. When acid rain falls on humans it has really no unpleasant effect on the outside, humans can even swim in acidic lakes and its doesn't harm them. The serious effects start to take place on the inside of the body and that is respiratory problems. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions gives risk to respiratory problems such as dry coughs, asthma, headaches, eye, nose, and throat irritation. Polluted rainfall is especially harmful to those who suffer form asthma or those who have hard time breathing. Even healthy people can have their lungs damaged by acid air pollutants. Acid rain can aggravate a person's ability to breathe and may increase disease, which could lead to death.

The most important thing that people can do to control acid rain is reduce the amount of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that are releases into the air. So that means to reduce the emissions of fossil fuels. If people use less power and drive their vehicles less that will be a start to reduce acid rain. If everyone bought energy efficient appliances, bought energy efficient house or upgrade old houses to be energy efficient, take transit to work with 3-4 people in it instead of 3-4 cars, ride a bike, or walk it would make the air a lot cleaner to breathe. Certain types of chimneys can be built called static chimneys which when the pollution from the fossil fuels blow up then it sticks to the sides of the chimney, then got rid of in a solid form. If every person in the world would do this we help dramatically to reduce acid rain. Meaning it to be easier to breath and higher populations of fish, trees, plant life and animals.

Jade Eagland 10r science