Causes of Acid Rain

Effects of Acid Rain

Acid rain can cause some serious problems. Among these are:

* the acidification of lakes and streams

* forest damage

* decay of buildings and paint

* reduction in visibility

* an increase in public health problems

LAKES AND STREAMS

Natural lakes and streams have an acidity of between 6 and 8. Acid rain can cause a pH of as low as 3 in some places. This kills certain aquatic plant and animal life.

This chart shows the different levels of acidity that certain lifeforms can handle. Even for those like the frog that can handle a really low pH, they eat the mayflies, which cannot handle much acid. As its food sources die off, the frog will be soon to follow. In addition, nitrogen causes major problems by inducing eutrophication. This is the depletion of oxygen in water, which seriously affects fish.

Some lakes and streams can become naturally acidic from surrounding soils. However, according to the National Surface Water Survey (NSWS), acid rain is the cause in 75% of the bodies of water with high acidity. If acid rain continues, we will witness the death of our treasured bodies of water.

* FORESTS

Acid rain causes direct damage to trees at high elevations, especially the red spruce. As shown in this picture from the EPA, large areas of forests have died. This occurs mainly in the very severe cases of acid rain, those causing a pH of 4 or less.

However, forests can be affected in another way--through their soils. Acid rain can easily strip away the nutrients of some soils. In fact, in some areas, the soil has been degraded to the point where its chemistry may have been changed forever.

BUILDINGS, ETC.

Acid rain is not only dangerous to the natural world. It corrodes our man-made structures and belongings from buildings to cars. If acid rain continues, millions of dollars will need to be spent each year on repairs. Other than the monetary setbacks, our nation will suffer from loss of its heritage. In the East where our country was born, acid rain is at its worst and is destroying our national monuments.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Public health is affected by acid rain through both the water and the atmosphere. When the pH of soil decreases, the mobility of metallic compounds such as aluminum and mercury are increased, making them easily transported into the water system. This can lead to the contamination of not only the water, which may be used for drinking, but also to the contamination of edible fish.

Suspended atmospheric sulfates may produce respiratory diseases including lung disorders, asthma, and bronchitis. In 1981, 10.2%-13.2% of deaths of white adults were caused from exposure to atmospheric sulfates!