Acid Rain

Air pollution is a major concern that has been commonly discussed all over the world since a long while ago. The air we breathe in every moment has a significant impact on our health and well-being as well as for the whole environment. The exhaust from burning fuels for energy in automobiles, homes, and industries is a major source of pollution in the air. The release of particles into the air from burning fuel for energy causes air pollution. These particles are very small pieces of matter measuring about 2.5 microns or about .0001 inches and contain significant amount of sulfur dioxides (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxides and chemical vapors. These gases produces "Acid Rain" in further chemical reactions once they confront in the atmosphere with water, oxygen and various other chemicals.

Acid rain causes for multiple damages that have far reaching consequences. The ecological effects of acid rain are most clearly visible in water and environments. Acid rain causes a cascade of effects that harm or kill individual fish, reduce fish population numbers, completely eliminate fish species from a stream of water, and decrease biodiversity. Scientists observe a slower growth of plants and trees. Automotive paints and other coatings on many surfaces appear to be irregularly shaped and permanently etched. Acid rain also contribute to the corrosion of metals and the deterioration of paint and stone. Again, it contribute to visibility impairment, that is we cannot see as far or as clearly through the air.

The Federal Clean Air Act in the United States regulate air quality and that has led to significant progress on maintaining air quality over the past years. This Act brings strict restrictions on emissions of acid rain-causing chemicals. As a result, many companies reduced emission of polluting oxides by switching from the use of high sulfur coal to low sulfur coal, which produces less oxides when burned. (Anne T. Lawrence)

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