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Protect Earth - Acid Rain
BAG LADIES (and men)
| Cleaning up the environment is not optional! |
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| We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. -Native American Proverb |
Acid rain affects a large portion of the United States and Canada and is a serious
environmental threat, damaging lakes, streams, forests, plants and animals which
live in these ecosystems.
Many view acid rain as just that ...rain. But acid rain actually can take wet, dry or a
mixed form. It is a broad term which refers to deposited material from the
atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids.
These substances are created from electric power generation which relies on burning
fossil fuels, such as coal. When these gases react within the atmosphere acid rain is
formed. One does not even need to live near a power plant to be affected by acid rain
as winds can carry such compounds across state and national borders, hundreds of
miles.
What Is Wet Acid Rain?
Wet Acid Rain refers to physical rain, fog or snow. In these conditions chemicals are
blown into areas where the weather is wet and the conditions right to allow for
formation of rain, snow, fog or mist to form. As this acidic water flows over and
through the ground it affects plants and animals. Depending on how much acid is
present in the water depends on the depth of the affects on wildlife.
What Is Dry Acid Rain?
Dry Acid Rain is found in areas where the weather is dry. The chemicals might be
incorporated into dust or smoke which sticks to the ground, building, homes, cars and
trees. These dry substances then can be washed into the earth by rainstorms.
Almost half of all acid rain falls back to earth though dry deposition.
What Are The Effects of Acid Rain?
Acid rain causes varying affects.
Acid rain is very harmful to the environment. It damages everything over time and
eventually can lead to all living things in the environment dying.
Acid Rain & Aquatic Life
Ecological effects of acid rain can be most clearly seen in aquatic environments such
as lakes, streams and marshes. As acid rain flows into waterways the pH levels of
those water sources increase. In areas where inadequate buffering (soil neutralizing
the compounds) aluminum is released from soils into lakes and streams. Aluminum
is highly toxic to many aquatic organisms.
This acid rain can cause a cascade of effects which harm or kill individual fish, reduce
fish population numbers, or completely eliminate fish completely. In situations where
aluminum is present this aluminum can enter the fish systems and those who eat the
fish are then affected by the aluminum in their diet.
All sea life will die if the water they live in becomes to acidic.
Acid Rain & Forests
In the cases of forest falling rains slowed growth of forests, browning and dropping of
leaves and needles, and even tree deaths have been reported.
In areas where the water is able to reach through the canapy and fall upon the forest
floor, soil may neutralize some or all of the acid rainwater. In other cases the soil is
unable to neutralize the acid and the soil itself becomes acidic. Much of the soils
ability to buffer the acid depends on the thickness and composition of the soil and if
any bedrock exists beneath the surface. Mountain and coast line regions are most at
risk while the plains are more suited to buffer the acid.
Acid rain does not kill plants or trees directly. Rather it weakens them by damaging
their leaves, limiting nutrients available and exposing them to toxic substances which
slowly release from the soil. Acid rain dissolves nutrients and helpful materials in the
soil before trees and other plants can use them to grow, while causing other
substances to be released that are harmful to the plants, such as aluminum.
Acid Rain & Buildings/Sculptures
Acid rain deposited on such items as metals such as bronze, paint, stone, and
marble is damaging. This damage significantly reduces the value of buildings,
bridges, statues, monuments, tombstones and cars.
Acid Rain & Humans
Acid rain affects humans as well. While it tastes, feels and looks like clean rain, the
effects are not direct. Humans can walk in and swim in acid rain, but the pollutants
caused by acid rain are harmful to humans. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide interact
in the atmosphere to form fine sulfate and nitrate particles which can be inhaled into
people's lungs. They are so fine they can even be found inside buildings. These
items can cause increased illness and premature death from heart and lung
disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis.
Everything we eat, drink, and breathe has at one point come into contact with acid
deposits. Each year the following health problems occur as the result of acid rain.
What Causes Acid Rain?
Acid rain is mainly caused by the following substances being released into air:
Ending Acid Rain
Acid rain can be nearly eliminated, but it will require a lot of work, effort and
cooperation by those guilty of placing those chemicals in the atmosphere. This
ranges from societal changes to individual action.
There are several options for aiding in reducing the emissions which include
using less sulfur, washing the coal, and using devices known as "scrubbers"
to chemically remove the sulfur dioxide from gases emitted from smokestacks.
If power plants switched to alternative fuels would aid in reducing the effects
as well.
Like the scrubbers on power plants, catalytic converters on cars reduce the
cars nitrogen oxides emissions. They have been required in the United States
for 20 plus years, but they only are beneficial if they work properly. By changing
to alternative fuel sources also will aid by producing cleaner burning sources.
environmental threat, damaging lakes, streams, forests, plants and animals which
live in these ecosystems.
Many view acid rain as just that ...rain. But acid rain actually can take wet, dry or a
mixed form. It is a broad term which refers to deposited material from the
atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids.
These substances are created from electric power generation which relies on burning
fossil fuels, such as coal. When these gases react within the atmosphere acid rain is
formed. One does not even need to live near a power plant to be affected by acid rain
as winds can carry such compounds across state and national borders, hundreds of
miles.
What Is Wet Acid Rain?
Wet Acid Rain refers to physical rain, fog or snow. In these conditions chemicals are
blown into areas where the weather is wet and the conditions right to allow for
formation of rain, snow, fog or mist to form. As this acidic water flows over and
through the ground it affects plants and animals. Depending on how much acid is
present in the water depends on the depth of the affects on wildlife.
What Is Dry Acid Rain?
Dry Acid Rain is found in areas where the weather is dry. The chemicals might be
incorporated into dust or smoke which sticks to the ground, building, homes, cars and
trees. These dry substances then can be washed into the earth by rainstorms.
Almost half of all acid rain falls back to earth though dry deposition.
What Are The Effects of Acid Rain?
Acid rain causes varying affects.
- Acidification of lakes and streams
- Tree damage to trees over 2,000 feet elevation
- Damage to sensitive forest soils
- Accelerates decay of building materials and paints
- Damages irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures.
Acid rain is very harmful to the environment. It damages everything over time and
eventually can lead to all living things in the environment dying.
Acid Rain & Aquatic Life
Ecological effects of acid rain can be most clearly seen in aquatic environments such
as lakes, streams and marshes. As acid rain flows into waterways the pH levels of
those water sources increase. In areas where inadequate buffering (soil neutralizing
the compounds) aluminum is released from soils into lakes and streams. Aluminum
is highly toxic to many aquatic organisms.
This acid rain can cause a cascade of effects which harm or kill individual fish, reduce
fish population numbers, or completely eliminate fish completely. In situations where
aluminum is present this aluminum can enter the fish systems and those who eat the
fish are then affected by the aluminum in their diet.
All sea life will die if the water they live in becomes to acidic.
- 4.5 pH - Fish die
- 5.0 - Frogs and Insects die
- 5.5 - Bottom feeding bacterial decomposers die
- 6.0 - Fresh water shrimp die
Acid Rain & Forests
In the cases of forest falling rains slowed growth of forests, browning and dropping of
leaves and needles, and even tree deaths have been reported.
In areas where the water is able to reach through the canapy and fall upon the forest
floor, soil may neutralize some or all of the acid rainwater. In other cases the soil is
unable to neutralize the acid and the soil itself becomes acidic. Much of the soils
ability to buffer the acid depends on the thickness and composition of the soil and if
any bedrock exists beneath the surface. Mountain and coast line regions are most at
risk while the plains are more suited to buffer the acid.
Acid rain does not kill plants or trees directly. Rather it weakens them by damaging
their leaves, limiting nutrients available and exposing them to toxic substances which
slowly release from the soil. Acid rain dissolves nutrients and helpful materials in the
soil before trees and other plants can use them to grow, while causing other
substances to be released that are harmful to the plants, such as aluminum.
Acid Rain & Buildings/Sculptures
Acid rain deposited on such items as metals such as bronze, paint, stone, and
marble is damaging. This damage significantly reduces the value of buildings,
bridges, statues, monuments, tombstones and cars.
Acid Rain & Humans
Acid rain affects humans as well. While it tastes, feels and looks like clean rain, the
effects are not direct. Humans can walk in and swim in acid rain, but the pollutants
caused by acid rain are harmful to humans. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide interact
in the atmosphere to form fine sulfate and nitrate particles which can be inhaled into
people's lungs. They are so fine they can even be found inside buildings. These
items can cause increased illness and premature death from heart and lung
disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis.
Everything we eat, drink, and breathe has at one point come into contact with acid
deposits. Each year the following health problems occur as the result of acid rain.
- 550 premature deaths
- 1,520 emergency room visits
- 210,070 asthma symptom days.
What Causes Acid Rain?
Acid rain is mainly caused by the following substances being released into air:
- Carbon dioxide : Released by burning coal, oil, and natural gas. If inhaled it is
toxic and can cause you to breath more then usual, lose consciousness and
cause other serious health problems. - Carbon Monoxide: Released by burning gasoline, oil, and wood. When it
enters the body it goes into the bloodstream. When this happens, it slows
oxygen to rest of body causing dizziness, headache and fatique. - Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): Chemicals used in industry, refrigeration, air
conditioning systems, and customer products. When released into the air,
they reduce the stratospheric ozone layer which protects earth from harmful
rays of the sun. - Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPS): Released by chemical plants, dry cleaners,
printing plants and motor vehicles. Can cause serious health problems such
as cancer, birth defects, nervous system disorders, and death. - Lead: Released by house and car paint as well as manufacturing lead
batteries, fishing lures, certain parts of bullets, ceramic ware, water pipes, and
fixtures. In young children this can cause nervous system damage and
learning problems. - Nitrogen Oxides: Released into air by burning fuels such as gasoline and
coal. When combined with VOC's they cause breathing difficulty in people with
asthma, coughs in children, and general illness of respiratory systems. - Ozone: Released by motor vehicles, industries, burning coal, gasoline and
other fossil fuels, chemicals such as in hairspray and paints. When close to
ground it can cause chest pain, irritated respiratory tract and persistent cough.
Also causing frequent lung infections. - Particulate Matter (PM) : Small particles of pollution: Released by cars, trucks
and buses burning diesel fuel, fertilizers, pesticides, road construction, steel
making, mining, and turning fire places and wood stoves. These can get stuck
in lung tissue causing increased respiratory disease and lung damage. - Sulfur Dioxides: Released by burning coal, paper production, and melting
metal. Can harm vegetation, harm metals, and cause lung problems
including breathing problems and permanent lung damage. - Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Released by burning gasoline, wood,
coal, or natural gas, solvents, paints, glues and other products. that are used
at home or at work.
Ending Acid Rain
Acid rain can be nearly eliminated, but it will require a lot of work, effort and
cooperation by those guilty of placing those chemicals in the atmosphere. This
ranges from societal changes to individual action.
- Clean Up Smokestacks and Exhaust Pipes : With the majority of all electricity
coming from burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil, acid
deposition is becoming the norm from the pollutants released in the air.
There are several options for aiding in reducing the emissions which include
using less sulfur, washing the coal, and using devices known as "scrubbers"
to chemically remove the sulfur dioxide from gases emitted from smokestacks.
If power plants switched to alternative fuels would aid in reducing the effects
as well.
Like the scrubbers on power plants, catalytic converters on cars reduce the
cars nitrogen oxides emissions. They have been required in the United States
for 20 plus years, but they only are beneficial if they work properly. By changing
to alternative fuel sources also will aid by producing cleaner burning sources.
- Use Alternative Energy Sources: Seek out other forms of electricity besides
fossil fuels. Hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, and geothermal energy
are all options. Unfortunately at the current time wind, solar, and geothermal
energy sources have not been harnessed or used on a large enough scale to
make them economically-feasible alternatives at this time.
- Restore the Damaged Environment: Acid deposition penetrates deep into the
fabric of the ecosystem, changing chemistry of soil and streams. It takes
many years for the recovery from acid deposition, even after emissions are
reduced and the rains pH returns to normal.
- Visibility Improvement = Days
- Slightly affected streams = Months
- Deeply affected lakes, streams, forests = Years to Decades
- Deeply affected soils = Centuries
- By adding limestone or lime (naturally occurring basic compound) back to
lakes and streams can aid in "canceling" acidity. This is a temporary fix that
only works on lakes and streams. It is expensive and needs to be repeated to
keep the acid condition return from happening. It also does nothing to aid with
forest or soil situations. While it is a temporary means it is far from a cure.
- Individuals need to take steps to help reduce this effect.
- Turn off lights, computers, and appliances when not in use.
- Use energy-efficient appliances, air conditioners, heaters and lighting.
- Only use electric appliances when needed.
- Keep thermostat at 68% in winter and 72% in summer. Turn down/up
when away from home. - Insulate house as best as possible.
- Carpool, use public transportation, bicycle or walk whenever possible.
- Buy vehicles with low emissions and be sure they are properly
maintained. - Stay informed of other environmental friendly alternatives and products.
- Only use dishwasher on a full load.
- Only run washing machine on full load
- Keep pool cover on pool when not in use.
- Check vehicle's air conditioning system to assure it is working properly.
- Do not overflow gas tank
| DESTROYING THE PLANET!! Every person on earth today had a hand in making the crisis our planet is in now, and it is now our responsibility to clean up our mess starting now! AT HOME Appliances Clothing Food & Groceries Furniture Heating & Cooling AT WORK SHOPPING TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Acid Rain Hazardous Waste Pesticides |
| STUDENT PROJECT Observe the effects of acid rain on marble and limestone (common building materials). Place a piece of chalk in a bowl with white vinegar. Place a second piece of chalk in bowl with tap water. Leave dishes overnight. In morning see which is more worn away. |
| AIDS AND INFORMATION NADP LIBRARY Data Access Isopleth Maps ANNUAL DATA SUMMARIES 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 PUBLICATIONS Monitoring Mercury Deposition Nitrogen In Nation's Rain Inside Rain QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORTS NADP QA 2002 NADP QA 2001 NADP QA 2000 NADP QA 1999 NADP QA 1998 2004 (Mercury) QA Report 2006 QA Plan 2003 QA Plan SITE OPERATION AND INSTALLATION MANUALS NTN Site Selection and Installation Manual NTN Site Operation Manual MDN Site Operation Manual MEETING PROCEEDINGS 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 Ammonia Workshop PROGRAM REPORTS 2006 SAES-422 2005 SAES-422 2004 SAES-422 2003 SAES-422 2002 SAES-422 2001 SAES-422 2001 Annual Report 2000 Annual Report 1999 Annual Report |
| Student Sites EPA Acid Rain Student Site Acid Rain Crossword |