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 (NOx) 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 NOx , 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
NOx.
Burning fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil emites SO2
and NOx. 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
