Global Fact: Acid Rain Poisons Wildlife

Records have it that the expression 'acid rain' was introduced into our language to provide a specific account of the conditions prevailing in England (particularly in Manchester) more than a century ago. Today around the world, large amounts of sulfur dioxide - a major air pollutant and cause of acid rain - are released into the atmosphere, seriously harming forests and water channels. Many lakes in North America and the Scandinavia have acidified, badly affecting their fish stocks. In the United States, particularly on the East Coast, fish and waterfowl are severely threatened by acid rain. But the problem of acid rain is not confined to just these regions; it is a global concern that has, in fact, become a worldwide pressing political issue.

The effects of acid rain have taken their toll on wildlife. Forests continue to suffer, with trees being endlessly damaged by sulfur dioxide which depletes the nutritive substances in the soil. Trees that suffer even slight damage are likely to die since their capacity to resist the harmful effects of fungi, pests, and even frost is greatly lessened. Another product of acid rain that poisons wildlife is aluminum. Large amounts that are released into the water kill fish in huge quantities. Consequently, fish-eating birds are affected. In one study, it was found that aluminum also causes some birds to lay eggs with shells that are thin. This accounts for a very low breeding success. A sign that many other animals are dying from the effects of acid rain is the presence of several dead eggs and young in surface water.

What is acid rain, and what causes it? It all began with the huge trees that died in forests millions of years ago. The dead trees decomposed and gradually turned into coal, oil and natural gas - fossil fuels that are now used in immense quantities to produce electricity. The burning of these fossil fuels causes large amounts of pollutants to be released into the air.

Vehicles powered by gasoline release heavy, toxic compounds and gases - such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide - into the air; so do oil- and coal-burning heating systems. When sunlight reacts with these contaminants, a bluish, irritating gas of pungent odor, which is called ozone, is formed. In turn, ozone reacts with nitrogen oxide and sulfur, producing nitric and sulfuric acids. These acids are stored in the tiny drops of water that constitute clouds. The acids, in this form, are then transported by the wind to such great distances and eventually fall as acid rain. Note that all rainfall has a natural acidity. However, contaminants, such as those mentioned here, increase it a thousand times over. Also, the term acid rain can be deceiving since acid can likewise be carried by mist, fog, hail, and snow.

Concerned of the havoc that acid rain causes the environment, many countries have taken steps to address the worsening situation with both short- and long-term solutions. In most countries in Europe, for example, lime is spread around trees and scattered over lakes to counteract the effects of acid. In Japan, power plants are required to lessen the emission of nitrogen oxides by as much as seventy-five percent. Higher pollution criteria in the United States demand that new cars are delivered with converters that eliminate as much as ninety-six percent of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide from the exhaust. [Read the Original Article]