Do you know about Acid Rain? Read this one! :D

             Acid rain is a broad term reffering to a mixture of wet and dry deposition from the atmosphere containing higher concentration of sulfuric and nitric acids than normal rain.The reaction of sulfur dioxides (SO₂)and nitrogen oxide (NO_x) with water, oxigen, and other chemicals makes acid rain. Acid rain has a lower pH than normal rain’s, less than 5.5. Acid rain contaminates soil, pollutes water, accelerates the decay of material bulding and paints, and harm public health. 

            The scientists, governments agencies, and academic aren’t the only ones that can take action to reduce acid rain, we can become part of the solution, too. By understanding the source of SO₂ and NO_x , individuals can make a few lifestyles changes to reduce the emission of those pollutants and inturn, acid rain. What individuals can do is conserving energy. For examples, we insulate our home as best as we can through using electrical equipments wisely like turning off the lights and computers when we’re not using them, using energy efficient appliances .We can also do carpooling and use public transportation, or better yet, walk or bicycle whenever possible. Using scrubbers on power plants and catalytic converters on cars can increase the emissions of SO₂ and NO_x. 

             Burning fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil emites SO₂ and NO_x. So that using alternatives energy like nuclear power, hydropower, wind energy, geothermal energy, and solar energy needs to be supported. Nuclear power, hydropower, and coal are used most widely for they’re the cheapest forms today. But changes in technologies and environmental regulation may shift that in the future. The recovery of ecosystems from acid deposition takes a long time. Acidified lakes and streams take fewer time to heal than soil. There’s a process called liming (adding the limestone to acidic lakes) that can bring back lakes and streams more quickly. But it has to be done repeatedly and can make another problem, harm our health when we use the contaminated water. At least, liming allows the native populations of the lakes to survive in place until the area becomes normal again. 

             EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) scientists and their colleagues are still doing researches and making a congress to improve the effective ways in reducing or stopping acid rain. However, individuals’ action in reducing or eliminating acid deposition plays significantly. So that let’s be well-informed and give our contribution. J