There is no doubt about the damage which acid rain has caused, but what remains unclear are the precise causes of acid rain and the most efficacious means of reducing its environmental, economic and political impacts. Acid rain became an issue in 1980 when congress passed the acid deposition act. Acid rain has been around for a very long time, it is as old as the very first time that we have released ammonium, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur into the atmosphere. Forest decline and acid rain some facts and fallacies m. Global warming greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect. Eastern europe and parts of scandinavia have rain with ph 4. Acid rain is defined as any type of precipitation with a ph that is unusually low.
Also included is the answer sheet for students to check their answers against. The ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, acid rain, questions of diet and of heredityall require scientific literacy. The program established to deal with the problem of acid rain in the united states is often cited as an example of the success of the cap and trade approach now being advanced as a solution to global warming. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Forest decline and acid rain some facts and fallacies. Measured values of acid rain vary according to geographical area. Acid rain quotes 2 quotes on acid rain science quotes. The adverse affects of acid rain have damaged lakes, streams, and living creatures in. It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure. While other issues such as global warming have taken center stage in recent years, the problem still persists although some gains have been made the phrase acid rain was coined in the 19 th century by robert angus smith, but the problem became a widespread issue in the united states in. Merchants of doubt summary and study guide supersummary. Acid rain body, used, water, process, earth, life, plants, type. Acid rain is a broad term used to describe several ways that acids fall out of the atmosphere.
Oct 29, 2015 generally speaking, acid rain is any type of precipitation rain, snow, fog that contains a high level of nitric or sulfuric acids. Dispelling the myths of the acid rain story sourcewatch. There are various natural causes, such as gases from volcanoes. This collection cites books, journal articles, conference. Acid rain is rain that is unusually acidic and highly corrosive in nature. Gr 35each book presents an environmental problem, its causes, possible scientific solutions, and ways in which readers can help. According to the environmental protection agency epa acid rain can be particularly damaging to the young from many species of plant and wildlife. Mechanisms and effects of acid rain on environment. Can you name some of the effects of acid rain on our environment. A more precise term is acid deposition, which has two parts.
Opinion teach acidrain facts, not fears and fiction. Feb 23, 2010 acid rain became an issue in 1980 when congress passed the acid deposition act. The main fallacy underlined by externalities is that the costs attributed to a few sources. Acid rain can have harmful effects on plants, animals and humans. Acid rain occurs when acidcontaining precipitation falls onto the earths surface. But comparing acid rain to safe, natural acids can be misleading.
Jul 31, 2018 acid rain is rainfall made so acidic by atmospheric pollution that it causes environmental harm, chiefly to forests and lakes. Acid rain causes steel bridges, vehicles, and other metal structures to corrode or rust. Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation like snow that is acidic. Walking in acid rain, or even swimming in an acid lake, is no more dangerous than walking or swimming in clean water. The first report was rejected and congress went ahead and amended the clean air act to mandate so2 and nox. In 1990, congress passed the clean air act which is now known as the acid rain program to reduce as well as control the levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere facts about acid rain. Jun 06, 2014 acid rain is a popular term referring to the deposition of wet rain, snow, sleet, fog, cloudwater, and dew and dry acidifying particles and gases acidic components. Acid rain information book subsequent edition by david v. Opinion teach acidrain facts, not fears and fiction the. Some traditional herbal medicines, some mycotoxins, naphthalene and styrene.
Even at its weakest, acid rain wrecks ecosystems by stunting sensitive plants and killing delicate aquatic eggs. Nov 16, 20 the chemicals that produce acid rain can be released by dying and rotting plant life acid rain facts 3. Liquids with a ph less than 7 are acidic, and those with a ph greater than 7 are alkaline. Thus, for example, fumaroles from the laguna caliente crater of poas volcano create extremely high amounts of acid rain and fog, with acidity as high as a ph of 2, clearing an area of any vegetation and frequently causing irritation to the eyes and lungs of inhabitants in. Some of this can be caused by natural phenomenon such as volcanic eruptions and even gases emitted by large amounts of rotting vegetation. As this acidic water flows over and through the ground, it affects a variety of plants and animals. The principal natural phenomena that contribute acidproducing gases to the atmosphere are emissions from volcanoes. The widespread occurrence of acid rain was recognized only in 1980.
When fossil fuels are burned, harmful emotions released into the air. The solution to the problem of acid rain is perhaps one of the main environmental and political issues facing the peoples of the industrialized nations, and their neighbours today. Dec 22, 2015 acid rain occurs in multiple locations across the planet. The objective of our research program is to develop information which will assure that the nation. The effects of acid rain environmental sciences essay. The rain is as a result of extreme pollution in the environment. Smith in 1872 from his studies of air in manchester, england.
Its causes and its effects on inland waters science. Test your knowledge of acid rain by taking the quiz below. There is no doubt about the damage which acid rain has caused, but what remains unclear are the precise causes of acid rain and the most efficacious means of reducing its environmental, economic and political. Ozone hole has an instructive illustration of the different layers of the earths atmosphere as well as a computergenerated map showing ozone levels the world over. It is caused by the industrial burning of coal and other fossil fuels, the waste gases from one that contains sulphur and nitrogen oxides. Scientists have discovered that burning fossil fuels creates acid rain through air pollution. Finally, i would like to use this medium to advise nigerians that the stories going around about a looming acid. In the presidential campaign, both president bush and sen. When sulfur and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen and other substances in the atmosphere, they produce sulfuric and nitric acid. Acid rain facts and information national geographic. The phenomenon became an important part of his book air and rain. This paper discusses the facts and fallacies of the direct health impacts.
The adverse affects of acid rain have damaged lakes, streams, and living creatures in these ecosystems. Finally, i would like to use this medium to advise nigerians that the stories going around about a looming acid rain are not only false but also inconsistent. Natural rain is typically somewhat acidic, with a ph just below 6. Acid precipitation has detrimental effects on the built environment, reduces agricultural. Economic facts and fallacies shows that fallacies are not. After a ten year study, national acidic precipitation assessment program reported that there wasnt much of a problem with acid rain. Electricity heats and lights buildings and runs appliances such as televisions and video. In july, 1998, environment magazine published a major critique of four key assumptions and arguments of the acid rain debate. Acid rain is rainfall made so acidic by atmospheric pollution that it causes environmental harm, chiefly to forests and lakes. Acid rain is a global environmental phenomenon that has had a serious impact on the ecobiological environment. Question sheet on acid rain students can use a text book or the internet to get the answers to the questions, or it could be based on a powerpoint for them to fill in as you go along. Constant acid rainfall is the major reason why some areas are considered barren. One of the causes of this type of rain is burning of coal in an area.
Dissolved carbon dioxide dissociates to form weak carbonic acid giving a ph of approximately 5. Acid rain occurs in multiple locations across the planet. Acid rain may be one of the most significant environmental problems of the coming decade. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite reads in more than a dozen categories. Wet deposition refers to acidic rain, fog, and snow. List of books and articles about acid rain online research. Carbon dioxide and various oxides of nitrogen also make acid in the atmosphere. Acid rain is downpour containing harmful quantities of nitric and sulfuric acids which released into the atmosphere. The strength of the effects depends on many factors, including how.
Explains the effects of acid rain on our planet, such as the health risks to humans, plants, and animals, and suggests ways to help alleviate the problem. Precipitation comes in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Acid rain discusses what acid rain is, the harmful pollutants that cause acid rain, and what we can do to protect our environment from acid rain. Acid rain, or rain with a lower ph due to nitric andor sulfuric acids, falls in many places across the globe. Acid rain is responsible for severe environmental destruction across the world and occurs most commonly in the north eastern united states, eastern europe and increasingly in parts of china and india.
May 06, 1997 teach acidrain facts, not fears and fiction. This 81page guide for merchants of doubt by naomi oreskes and eric m. What place in the world receives the most acid rain. Because of how acid rain is formed, it is often found near areas where lots of fossil. Acid rain acid rain was discovered in the 19th century by robert angus smith, a pharmacist from manchester england, who measured high levels of acidity in rain falling over industrial regions of england and contrasted them to the much lower levels he observed in less polluted areas near the coast. Transportation and the environment the geography of transport. Acid rain looks, feels, and tastes just like clean rain. Acid rain was mainly caused by emissions of sulphur dioxide to the atmosphere from coalfired power stations, and by emissions of oxides of nitrogen from various sources. Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions low ph. Distilled water, once carbon dioxide is removed, has a neutral ph of 7. Effects of ddt were explained in rachel carsons book silent spring. Watson is eloquent about localized forms of pollution, such as acid rain and smog, but he sees climate change as speculative. It may be defined as rain water having ph less than 5. When sulfur and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen and other substances in.
Acid rain can damage plants, animals, soil, water, building materials, and people. However, it is thought that air pollution by people now causes most acid rain. Acid rain quotes 2 quotes increasingly, our leaders must deal with dangers that threaten the entire world, where an understanding of those dangers and the possible solutions depend on a good grasp of science. Decades ago, acid rain became one of the rallying points for those concerned about the environment. Produced when sulfur dioxide and various nitrogen oxides combine with atmospheric moisture, acid rain can contaminate drinking water, damage vegetation and aquatic life, and erode buildings and monuments.
Rain includes a diagram of the water cycle and a map reflecting acid rain sources and problems around the world. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. It poses new challenges to the full development of our forest, agricultural, and aquatic resources. This barcode number lets you verify that youre getting exactly the right version or edition of a book. And to cite, unequivocally, the usa as an exemplar of acid gas reduction is getting close to the wind, while to say that when acid rain falls on limestone, the acid becomes less harmful is to neglect the harm done to the stone listed at the start of the book as part of the acid rain problem. Acid rain simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Immediately download the acid rain summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching acid rain. The chemist robert angus smith, was the first to report about the dangers of acid rain in 1872 in his book air and rain. The ph scale measures the amount of acid in a substance. Acid rain describes any form of precipitation that contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. It is rain with high levels of hydrogen ions low ph.