acid deformation

acid deformation

Acid deposition, commonly known as acid rain, can be described as a large proportion of acidic substances deposited over an area. Environment agencies have become very concerned about this problem. The continued occurrence of acid rain has caused many harmful effects. However, there are many practical solutions to the problem.
The primary cause of acid deposition is the burning of fossil fuels. When these substances are burned, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. Some particles are wind blown onto a surface, lakes and other bodies of water. In either situation, these particles mix with other elements to form acidic compounds, which lower the pH levels of their surroundings. The result is environmentally dangerous. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Normal rain has a pH of about 5.5. As of the year 2000, the most acidic rain falling in the US has a pH of about 4.3.” That is a drastic change, considering that the pH scale ranges from 1 to about 12, with 7 being neutral.
Most bodies of water found within the United States range from a pH level of 6 to 8. The effects of acid deposition have drastically altered the aquatic environment in which fish and animals live. The acidity of the soil has also been affected by acid deposition, altering the environment of land animals and plants. Entire species have been eliminated from certain bodies of water, which has tremendous repercussions on the ecosystem. The food chain is altered and survival of species is reliant on which finding proper food for their diet.
However, there are several solutions to this environmental concern. Since most acid deposition is caused by the burning of fossil fuels, a solution would seem to be eliminating that source of electricity generation. A suggestion would be use of alternative fuel sourced like wind power or nuclear energy. Sulfur dioxide is emitted when fossil fuels are burned to power eclectic utilities. A way to reduce these...