The Problem of Acid Rain
Acid rain is precipitation of higher than normal acidity. Manmade increases in the acidity of precipitation are traced mainly to the burning of coal, oil, and gas by heavy industry and electrical utilities. Burning these fuels releases sulfur and nitrogen oxides (Sox and Nox) to the atmosphere where they combine with water vapor to produce sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3) . The acids in the atmosphere are carried and deposited on the earth's surface in the forms of rain, snow, and other precipitation. Acid rain in Canada is very harmful since it causes damage to manmade structures, it poses a threat to our living earth and in addition, it is very expensive to control. Although there is not yet a sure way of eliminating acid rain, it is very expensive to control. "Adding lime to lakes affected by acid rain may neutralize the lakes." Studies prove that adding lime to pretentious lakes produces a buffering action. The more lime a lake possesses, means that there is more buffering capacity present, which in turn means that the lake will survive longer. The lime, quite similar to the limestone at the bottoms of certain lakes, neutralizes the acid by buffering the lakes. "Ontario has begun dumping lime into its
Other ways of controlling the damage caused by acid rain include breeding fish, which are resistant to acid, washing high sulfur coal, and adding scrubbers to smoke stacks. "Breeding fish, which are unaffected by acid, is viewed as a ridiculous idea by many." The idea has not yet been tested and the policy allowing this to be implemented will take approximately 3-5 years to come through. Experiments, however, breeding anti-acid fish have been tested and the results did not compare with the other ways of controlling acid rain. In fact, they were much more costly and much less efficient. High sulfur coal could be treated yet this procedure is also expensive. "Washing coal reduces the sulfur content of coal by 20-50%." "Aluminum is abundant in most soils and is in certain forms toxic to many organisms. If soil acidity is increased by acid rain, the aluminum becomes more soluble and washes into streams and ponds, where it can injure exposed organisms." Acid rain has been associated with the damage to manmade structures. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) mixed with water, causing acid rain, results in sulfuric acid, a potent chemical that can dissolve stone." Acid rain is linked with the deterioration of exposed surfaces of building, monuments and statues. "Buildings that have braved decades are being eaten away by acid rain." Acid rain causes the erosion of buildings and their exteriors to flake away. "Fresh paint on buildings and new cars fades quickly and may be marred with blotches of discoloration or indelible spots." Buildings, monuments and statues are not the only manmade structures that are damaged by acid rain. Acid rain is liable for damage to cars and metal. "Acidification is blamed for the damage to the paint on cars."
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Approximate Word count = 1185
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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