OPPapers.com

Acid Rain

Acid Precipitation: Causes, Effects, and Implications


Contents
1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………… 3
2 What is Acid Precipitation?……………...………………………………………. 3
2.1 Definition ……………………………...………………………………… 3
2.2 Common Pollutants and Reactions Involved …….….…………………… 4
2.3 Sources of Acid Precipitation Pollutants ………………………………... 5
3 The Harmful Effects of Acid Precipitation ……………………………………… 6
3.1 Effects on Aquatic Systems ……………………………………………... 6
3.2 Effects on Forests and Other Terrestrial Ecosystems ….……………….. 7
3.3 Effects on Man-Made Structures and Materials ………………………… 8
3.4 Effects on Human Health ………………………………………………... 9
4 Global Implications of the Acid Precipitation Problem ………..………….…….. 10
4.1 Air Pollution Migration ………………………………………………….. 10
4.2 The International Challenge ....................………………………………… 11
5 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………... 11
6 References ………………………………………………………………………... 13

Acid Precipitation: Causes, Effects, and Implications
1 Introduction
Air pollution is a well-recognized environmental problem throughout the world.
Studies have shown, time and time again, that the environmental and health-based impacts of air pollution are both detrimental and undeniable. One of the most important forms of air pollution for our society as a whole to recognize and deal with in an expedient manner is acid precipitation. Because of the very nature of this type of air pollution, the direct and indirect effects of acid precipitation are both far-reaching and difficult to get under control. Understanding more about the causes, effects, and implications of acid precipitation and its impacts on our daily lives is the first step that we all need to take in adopting a more proactive approach to solving this problem.
2 What is Acid Precipitation?
2.1 Definition. According to Sayala (2001), the definition of acid precipitation is "any rainfall/precipitation that has an acidity level beyond what is expected in...