Acid precipitation proves to be quite a menace judging by its effects on humans, plants, and the ecosystem functioning as a whole. What is important to note about acid precipitation is that it is caused by point-source pollutants such as volcanic fissures and vehicle exhaust pipes. However, steps introduced by the Acid Rain program and other technical functions have proved beneficial for the reduction of Acid precipitation effects. In the end, it is necessary that despite the effectiveness of these steps in mitigating the effects of acid precipitation, more should be done to enhance a clean atmosphere. Acid precipitation can be described as any form of acids that falls out of the atmosphere. In this regard, acid precipitation can come in the form of rainfall, smog, and fog that has acid in it. Therefore, any particles in the atmosphere that are acids are acid precipitation. Typically, any rainfall that has a pH of less than 5.6 is considered acid rain (Wondyfraw, 2014). For one, the human sources of acid rain include burning coal, vehicle emissions, and oil companies that emit Sulphur, carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides hydrocarbon particles into the atmosphere (Wondyfraw, 2014). The natural sources of acid precipitation include volcanic eruptions, acid deposits in glaciers, and other biological processes (Wondyfraw, 2014). Notably, human beings have been blamed for being the major contributors of dangerous particles that result in acid precipitation, more than natural sources. Judging by the sources, it is evident that acid precipitation is caused by point-source pollutants. This is because the pollutants can be located at particular points which include volcanic fissures, factories, and vehicles. If anything, acid precipitation is harmful to both human beings and the ecosystem structure as well as functions. Among humans, acid precipitations cause dry coughs, respiratory problems, headaches, and throat irritations (Wondyfraw, 2014). The stated effects of acid precipitation on humans are mainly seen when one breathes in air that contains the toxic (Wondyfraw, 2014). Also, leeching of acid toxins from the soil after acid rain falls can cause grievous harm including kidney problems and brain damage once ingested. The primary way of ingesting these is when one steps on such grounds barefooted. On the other hand, acid precipitation is equally harmful to vegetation. After the soil absorbs acid from acid rain, plant growth is slowed and brown spots can be seen on the leaves of trees (Wondyfraw, 2014). In another case, acid particles in the atmosphere that fall on plants’ leaves tend to cover their pores and prevent the process of photosynthesis from occurring freely (Wondyfraw, 2014). If the acid water is washed into water bodies, the hatching of some organisms’ eggs is stopped and plant growth is equally slowed down. Overall, it is evident that there is nothing to gain from acid precipitation and if anything, the detrimental effects call for action. The potential harm that is caused by acid precipitation has led to the establishment of laws and education programs meant to mitigate its effects. This led to the establishment of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The Act required the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to start an Acid Rain program which currently puts a cap on the quantity of Sulphur dioxide that a power plant can produce (EPA, n.d). EPA worked towards reducing the number of acid particles in the atmosphere and to achieve this, it had to determine the threshold that was required in total after which it was shared among power plants that produced the most toxins (EPA, n.d). On another hand, a catalytic converter is a form of technology that has been used for the past twenty years and is coated on the inside of a vehicle’s combustion engine. The catalytic converter converts dangerous gases such as nitrogen dioxide into a less toxic gas thereby preventing acid precipitation (EPA, n.d). Through this technology, efforts to mitigate the harmful effects of acid precipitation were reduced to every citizen who owned a vehicle in the US. Noticeably, it is essential to look into the technologies and constitution amendment and seek to find if they succeeded in reducing the rates of acid precipitation. Chameides (2017) posits that the programs set to reduce acid precipitation have actually been successful. For instance, the Northeast which had the highest concentration of acid rain has had reduced acid precipitation. In another more specific case, New England has seen its sulfate concentration from acid rain reduce by 40% since 1990 (Chameides, 2017). However, it is necessary to look into other factors that can enable efforts to reduce acid precipitation even further. To achieve this, Chameides (2017) insists that it would take the effort of every single person to assure total security. However, the current progress should act as a hallmark for future success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, acid precipitation proves to be quite dangerous, and judging by its harmful effects on humans and the whole ecosystem, they called for serious plans. There are both human and natural sources of pollution as far as acid precipitation is concerned. The human point source includes burning coal and vehicle emissions while the natural includes volcanic eruptions and acid trapped in glaciers. Notably, the introduction of the Acid Rain Program and catalytic converters in vehicles have helped to reduce the damning effects of acid precipitation. In the end, it is necessary to ensure that the efforts to reduce acid precipitation are supported to the very best.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
References
Chameides, B. (2017). U.S. acid rain regulations: Did they work? Huff post . Retrieved from www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-chameides/us-acid-rain-regulations_b_1507392.html
EPA (n.d). What is being done? Retrieved from www3.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/beingdone.html
Wondyfraw, M. (2014). Mechanisms and effects of acid rain on environment. Journal of Earth Science and Climatic Change , 5(6), pp. 1-3.
