Acid rain can also be termed acid precipitation which is described as rainfall whose level of pH is lower than 5.6 making it acidic. This form of rainfall results from the combination of Sulphite and Nitrogen oxides with the atmosphere resulting in the formation of Nitric and Sulphuric acids. (Weathers, K. C. and G. E. Likens p 10). The increasing level of pollution through acid rain all over the globe is a major concern that requires a quick and sustainable solution.
The formation of acid rain has two major sources that include nitrogen oxides as well as sulfur dioxide. Nitrogen oxides include any form of Nitrogen chemical compounds that contain atoms of oxygen gas like for example Nitrogen dioxide. Emissions of Nitrogen dioxide include; industrial processes that use extremely high degrees of temperature, industrial chemicals, for example, those from industries that manufacture fertilizers, and from processes that occur naturally for example the action of bacteria in the soil, volcanic activities, forest fires and lightening.
5% of the emissions of Nitrogen oxides are from natural processes, 43% from the transport sector while the other 32% is from industrial combustion. (Bailey, T. G. et al, p 13). Nitrogen dioxide does not only become poisonous when it combines with Sulphur dioxide but also by itself. The gas adversely affects the human respiratory organs and also damages the Ozone layer. (Likens, G. E., et al, p 47).
Sulfur dioxide abbreviated as SO2 is a colorless gas produced in the combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels, industrial manufacture of metals such as Steel, Zinc, Copper, and Iron, the processing of crude oil, and the occurrence of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions. Research has shown that about 10% of the emissions of Sulphur dioxide are from volcanic eruptions. Sulfur dioxide in this case is the by-product of these processes. (Berresheim, H.; Wine, P.H. and Davies D.D, p 23).
pH is a symbolic indication of the extent of acidity or basicity or acidity of a solution about the level of hydrogen ions within that solution. The level of acidity or basicity is measured using a pH scale which indicates 7 if the solution measured is neutral for example water, less than 7 if the solution is acidic, and above 7 if the solution is basic. Living organisms can survive at 6.5-8 pH levels.
The activities of man are the major causes of acid rain. Industrial factories, for example, are to blame for the release of pollutants into the environment such as by the release of gases from the burning of fuels such as coal and other hydrocarbons fuel. The transport sector is another human activity that can result in acid rain mainly as a result of the Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide gases released as exhaust fumes from cars, buses and trucks. (Weathers, K. C. and G. E. Likens p 347).
The increasing level of acid rain has continued to harm the world causing serious implications to man, animals and even plants. Acid rain has had adverse effects on forests hence destroying the water catchment areas and sources. The slow growth and unhealthy state of forest trees have been attributed to acid rain that makes leaves turn brown and eventually wither and fall off. The poor state of these trees is due to the acidic water or rain that gets seeped into the soil causing the soil to weather and lose nutrients hence depriving the trees and other plants of the essential nutrients. The increased level of soil pH also accelerates the formation of highly toxic metallic elements such as Aluminium that hinder the uptake of nutrients by plants. (Likens, G. E., C. T. Driscoll and D. C. Buso, p 83)
An increased frequency in acid rain leads to a loss of the waxy coat that covers the surface exposing these leaves and the entire plant to diseases, insects, and harsh weather and even weakening the plant to the extent of death.
The damage of food plants by acid water can however be reduced by the use of fertilizers and lime that helps in replacing the nutrients. Limestone can for example be used to enhance the capability of the soil to withstand high levels of pH mainly in cultivated regions.
Acid rain also heavily affects both aquatic and land organisms. An increased level of acidity hinders the ability of aquatic organisms such as fish to take up various nutrients, oxygen and even salts. Fish living in freshwater lakes for example have to always maintain an equal mineral and salts balance in the tissues for them to keep alive. Increased acidic level in the water disrupts this balance leading to an extremely high number of fish deaths.
An increased number of acidic molecules leads to the formation of a mucus membrane in the gills which in turn hinders the absorption of adequate amounts of oxygen. (John McCormick p 231). A study by the United States EPA indicated that about seventy-six percent of the lakes which are acidic occurring only in the United States and fifty percent of the acidic streams are as a result of acid rain. (US EPA, p 40).
The pH change in the water bodies also affects the maintenance of an adequate level of Calcium in fish thus impairing reproduction in fish due to the weakening of the eggs. This leads to a high level of population decline of fish as there are very many deaths with very few young ones being hatched.
The effects of acid rain on man are serious and mainly impact negatively the air we breathe, the soil and the water. Sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide emissions are major causes of respiratory complications that include asthma, lung damage, dry coughs, headaches, and eye, nose and throat irritations. Acid rain is known to hasten the rate of breathing difficulties and asthma attacks in asthma patients.
The release of metals that are highly toxic by acid rain has harmful effects on man though these effects can only occur if these metals combine with other available elements. The released metals can easily dissolve in crops, animals, and drinking water substances that act as man’s source of food.
The ingestion of these food substances can lead to the damage of nerves in young children, severely damage the brain and even cause death. An example of a disease caused by the ingestion of these substances is Alzheimer’s disease which is said to be a result of aluminum ingestion. The aerosols of Nitrates and Sulphates and other atmospheric particles are not only known to cause fatal diseases such as cancers but also cause reduced visibility which can be very dangerous especially for drivers on the road whose poor visibility can result in many road accidents. (W. N. Rom, p 102).
An indirect effect of acid rain on man is through the destruction of the various structures, materials, and equipment that have been created by man. The acidic rain can lead to the corrosion of stone and even ceramic structures, corrosion of metals and paints, textiles, limestone, sandstone and even marble. This occurs when a chemical reaction occurs between the sulphuric acid present in the water and the compounds of calcium in the stone leading to the formation of gypsum which easily flakes off.
The situation is mainly common in gravestones whose inscriptions have completely faded away. Acid rain also leads to iron oxidation, this explains the corrosion of many iron-constructed structures.
The increasing level of acid rain and its harmful effects on the environment and even on man necessitates serious action by all sectors. The government, public, and other private sectors should work together to eradicate acid rain. A few strategies have been put in place to deal with this problem. One such strategy is by a significant number of governments who have authorized those producers of energy to use scrubbers to trap pollutants before the waste gases are released into the open atmosphere such that no poisonous gas is released into the air. Another strategy has been the adoption of clean fuels.
Though these among other strategies have been put in place, a lot more has to be accomplished. Adequate education on the causes, impacts, and workable solutions to acid rain needs to be done. This will not only instill knowledge but also inform each sector on the various roles they can each play to completely fight the occurrence of acid rain. The solution lies with us and until we all take action, the problem of acid rain will continue to persist.