Environment Theme

Acid Rain
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain occurs when harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide react with rain. Industries and power stations release a lot of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Exhaust fumes and open-air burning release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. When these gases enter the atmosphere, they mix with rain water to form acids like carbonic acid, sulphuric acid and nitric acid. They then form acid rain. Acid rain occurs as a result of pollution. Acid rain is thus common in large towns like Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru. This is attributed to rapid industrialization and urbanization in these areas. However, acid rain is by no means confined to these areas as it may be carried by wind to other areas. Acid deposition can occur via natural sources like volcanoes but it is mainly caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide during fossil fuel combustion. When these gases are discharged into the atmosphere they react with the water, oxygen, and other gases already present there to form sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid. These acids then disperse over large areas because of wind patterns and fall back to the ground as acid rain or other forms of precipitation. The oxides of nitrogen, or NO x, and sulfur dioxide, or SO2, is the two main sources of acid rain. Sulfur dioxide, which is a colorless gas, is given off as a by-product when fossil fuels that contain sulfur are burned. This gas is produced due to various industrial processes, like the processing of crude oil, utility factories, and iron and steel factories. Natural means and disaster can also result in sulfur dioxide being released into the atmosphere, such as rotting vegetation, plankton, sea spray, and volcanoes, all of which emit about 10% sulfur dioxide. The principal cause of acid rain is sulfur and nitrogen compounds from human sources, such as electricity generation, factories, and motor vehicles. Coal power plants

are one of the most polluting. The gases can be carried hundreds of kilometers in the atmosphere before they are converted to acids and deposited. In the past, factories had short funnels to let out smoke but this caused many problems locally; thus, factories now have taller smoke funnels. However, dispersal from these taller stacks causes pollutants to be carried farther, causing widespread ecological damage. Acid rain has many adverse effects. Lakes and rivers cannot sustain aquatic life if acid rain flows into the water. It will also lead to a reduction in crop yields. There will also be irreparable damage to forests and wildlife. Being corrosive, it can cause extensive damage to buildings. An example is the Taj Mahal of India. Acid rain can also affect human beings. Skin problems such as rashes and itchiness, hair loss and respiratory problems have been linked to acid rain. Heart and lung problems can also be aggravated by it. Acid rain affects the biodiversity of the ecosystems. As lakes, streams and other freshwater bodies become more acidic, the number and types of fish and other aquatic plants and animals that live in these waters decrease. Acid rain causes poisonous metals to seep into underground drinking water sources, thereby making it unfit for human consumption. When acid rain falls in forest areas, it releases toxic metals such as lead and zinc which cause the stunted growth of tree and plants. In this way, acid rain brings about slower growth and the ultimate death of forests. Acid rain can be prevented by reducing emissions that come from the mining industries, burning of fuels for electrical power generation, oil operations, and reducing fuel emissions from cars and trucks. Reduce our use of products that produce chlorofluorocarbons that are released into the atmosphere by actively conserving the use of your air conditioning. Become energy wise by conserving energy through the use of fluorescent lights, closing off rooms you do not use, and use washers, dryers, and dishwashers only when full. Last but not lease please recycles packaging and other disposable products. The way to prevent acid rain is energy conservation. The biggest step that you can take to prevent acid rain is to decrease your energy consumption. Close the lights when you leave the room and turn off computers and televisions when you're not using them. Whenever you're not using an electrical appliance, simply shut it off to conserve energy. Another large consumer of energy is your home's heating and cooling system.

Make sure to use your air conditioning only when you really need it. Also, when you leave the house, turn down your heater's thermostat. It will cost you less and save more energy. Acid rain can also be prevented through transportation. This is because cars are a major contributor to acid rain pollution, it's important to find alternate modes of transportation in an effort to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels. By using public transit, carpools, bikes and even your feet, you're helping reduce auto emissions. Avoid using your car whenever possible. You'll be helping the environment by preventing acid rain. Scientists agree that the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas is a major cause of acid rain. Thus, industries which use fossil fuels such as the automobile, paper and chemical industries should reduce emissions of harmful gases, which will in turn reduce the acidity of rain.