Acid Rain and its Impact

Rain is the main element of water circulation because it is responsible for preserving most of the fresh water on Earth. (EPA USA, 2014) It not only provides conditions suitable for various ecosystems but also provides water for irrigation of hydropower plants and crops. (Andrei, 2012) However, since the beginning of industrialization in the 18th century, humans have abused the characteristics of these important life and have produced acidic deposits. (The Ledger, 2014) pH starts at 0 and is from the most acidic to the most basic value of 14.0.

Acid rain exerts many ecological effects, but none of them has a major impact on lakes, streams, wetlands and other aquatic environments. Acid rain acidifies water and absorbs aluminum from the soil into lakes and streams. This combination makes water toxic to crayfish, clams, fish and other aquatic animals. The effect of acid rain combined with other environmental stress factors makes trees and plants impossible to tolerate cold, insects and diseases. Pollutants can also inhibit the breeding ability of trees. Some soils are more neutralizing acids than others. In regions where soil "buffering capacity" is low, the adverse effect of acid rain is much larger

Acid rain directly affects forest ecosystems and their inhabitants. Destruction of forest trees and plants is common. Acid rain can damage the leaf as it falls. The outflow of acid rain from trees and forest floor penetrates into the water supply of the forest; the outflow not entering the water supply is absorbed by the soil. The result is like any soil or water source infected with acid rain: plants and creatures die, and creatures that rely on these plants and smaller organisms also lose their food sources and die.

Preventing acid rain is the only way to prevent fatal effects on the environment. Acid rain is caused by pollution. It is naturally released into the atmosphere during the volcanic eruption, but the main cause of excessive nitric acid and sulfuric acid in the environment is artificial. Energy saving is the main way humans can prevent acid rain. Using less energy at home reduces the need for power plants. People also need to leave their cars. If you use public transport, cycling or walking to your destination, the number of vehicles on the road will decrease, emissions in the atmosphere will decrease, and dependence on fossil fuels will decrease. Finally, manufacturing factories can scrub harmful chemicals using scrubbers, remove them from the pipeline, and release them into the atmosphere to reduce acid rain emissions.