Acid rain is a problem worldwide and with the passage of time it worsens more and more quickly, because we are not working enough to solve it, although the possible solutions are directly related to those that are applied to try to eliminate or reduce other environmental problems.
This problem of environmental pollution occurs when wastes such as fumes produced by machinery and petroleum derivatives, among other pollutants, mix in the environment with the humidity of the air, which causes them to return to the land and water, like rivers and seas, when it rains. As it is a serious problem, it is important to know what are the possible solutions of acid rain to be able to contribute on a personal level and help raise awareness and get governments to actively participate to achieve this. In this Green Ecologist article we will tell you about them.
What is acid rain and how is it produced?
Acid rain It is the precipitation that contains both water and toxic residues, mainly acids, coming from both industrial emissions and from other types of machinery, such as vehicles. Therefore, this rain that is a mix of water with accumulated pollution in the atmosphere o Pollution is a really serious problem, since it acidifies and intoxicates the environment, be it the waters, the soil, the plants, the animals, and so on.
Specifically, acidified rain is formed by the humidity of the environment, or water, and sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide and nitrogen oxides, which produces sulfuric, sulfurous and nitric acid and that, therefore, the rain is more acidic than normal. water from chemical-free precipitation has a neutral pH of 5.6, while acidified rain has a pH of 5 and can reach 3 when it is very acidic.
The main causes of acid rain they are the fumes from factories, vehicles, heaters, power plants, the use of petroleum derivatives, sulfur and coal. Therefore, as the main cause of the rain becoming too acidic, we can highlight the excessive human activity on the planet, which has intensified since the Industrial Revolution.
In this other Green Ecologist article you can learn everything about Acid Rain: definition, causes and consequences.
Possible solutions for acid rain
How can the acid rain problem be solved? In reality, there are many things we can do to reduce this problem, but it is necessary that each one do their part and that governments and entities with the capacity to act are also active in this matter. These are the possible solutions to avoid acid rain:
- Reduce sulfur levels in fuels, establishing a limit on the emission of nitrate and sulfur oxides that companies must comply with.
- Establish greater control of pollution levels and compliance with the laws in this regard.
- Improvement of the laws against pollution.
- Close companies that do not regulate their pollution levels and refineries.
- Invest and opt more for the electric transport system.
- Opt for organic products for agriculture, instead of using sulfates and other artificial chemicals.
- Using the three-way catalytic converter in vehicles, which serves to reduce harmful emissions.
- Use more natural gas, both in industries and at home.
- Opt for clean and renewable energy.
- Take control of the waters and alkalize them when necessary to rebalance their pH.
- Promote the use of public transport over private, to reduce the number of vehicles, and ensure that clean energy is used for such transport.
- On a personal level, reduce harmful emissions and pollution that is generated from the home or workplaces.
- Help the associations that are dedicated to ensuring the progress and the establishment of these measures to solve the problem.
- Ask governments to commit more to act by providing the means to establish these possible solutions to this environmental problem.
Why Solving Acid Rain Is Important
The effects and consequences of acid rain They are very negative for the planet and, therefore, for all of us who inhabit it. In addition, it does not matter that an area of the Earth does not produce pollution or it is very small, since the pollutants travel through the air, in the wind and in the water condensed in the clouds, and therefore can be produced in a place with high pollution but precipitate in the form of acid rain in any other part of the planet.
As we have indicated, acid rain deteriorates the environment, but specifically, these are the main consequences of acidified rain:
- It causes the waters of the entire planet to acidify, be it seas, oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater, etc. Therefore, it seriously damages aquatic life and indirectly to land and air, by not being able to use this water.
- Vegetation is affected both directly and indirectly, by absorbing water directly from rain or acidified groundwater.
- In addition, this type of water has protons that attract some ions from the atmosphere to the earth, such as iron, aluminum, lead or zinc, which pollute the soil, cause it to lose nutrients and become impoverished. This seriously affects both plant life and the animals that feed on it.
- Habitats are reduced, leading to loss of biodiversity.
- The acids from these precipitations damage material surfaces such as rocks, stone, wood, plastic, and so on. So many statues, infrastructure and buildings are damaged and corroded.
- Eliminates microorganisms that reduce nitrogen in the atmosphere.
- Sulfated acids increase the greenhouse effect, since when they come into contact with areas where there is methane, such as in swamps, the acids that have sulfate increase the production and release of this gas.
All of this directly and indirectly affects life on the planet, including us.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are the possible solutions of acid rain, we recommend that you enter our Pollution category.
