ACID RAIN- CAUSES AND EFFECT

Acid Rain- Causes and Effect

Acid Rain- Causes and Effect

Introduction

Acid rain is called a natural disaster type characterized by rainfall, according to biochemical studies, has a pH or acidity level of less than 5.65 (note: it can also occur as snow, fog, dew, etc.)... This is because the chemicals are suspended in the atmosphere with the water rushing. Most of these acidic substances form power plants although there are also those resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as those used in combustion engines. The ecological problem goes back to the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution, increasing levels of smog acid from the time that wind mechanisms (winds) are deposited or transferred to remote non-industrialized areas. The beginning of the studies and the reporting of this issue, for belonging to an area greatly affected are the countries of northern Europe.

Acid Rain has a number of effects on the following

Soil

Acid rain makes some acidic soils. It is found mainly in mountainous areas where soils are poor as in central and southern Germany (Bavaria) or certain sectors of the Vosges; This effect results in a loss of mineral nutrients for trees and vegetation. Sandy soils are most sensitive to acid rain saturates the soil and the environment becomes too acidic, plants and animals are suffering. On alkaline soils (such as limestone) the acidity is partially neutralized and the effect is reduced.

Water

The most spectacular damage attributed to acid rain is likely to damage the lakes. In Scandinavia and Canada, few in France, the rains are suspected to be causing acidification. In the Vosges, there is an acidification of some streams. This acidification is gradual. When the pH decreases from pH 5.5 but very low values ??up to 4.5 in some cases there is a change in the flora and fauna with a water shortage and a loss of fish most Searched (salmonids). The onset of acidification causes body bluer and clearer water due to deposition on the bottoms of decomposition of organic matter. Rushes thrive in acidified freshwaters. The foam 'Sphagnum White' can invade lakes and form a thick green carpet on the lake bottom due to clearer water allows more sunlight to reach the foam. The soft-bodied animals such as leeches, snails and crayfish are the primary victims, often an early sign of the beginning of acidification. Few insect species are highly resistant to acidification and species such as flies disappear even with a moderate acidification. However, species such as dragonfly larvae, beetle and bloodworms can grow abnormally large population when there is more competition. Salmon, trout and roach are particularly at risk of acidification of freshwater pike and eel being relatively resistant.

The acidification also causes dissolution of some toxic metals such as aluminum. When the acidity of the water reaches a certain level plants and animals disappear. Only a few species remain remarkably resilient. (Berkowitz, 2000, p.21)

Birds can be infected in turn particularly when they absorb toxic minerals by feeding on contaminated ...