Acid Rain

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EEYGrtvRMo&feature=related

Regional Outdoor Air Pollution from Acid Deposition

Regional Outdoor Air Pollution from Acid Deposition

Wet Acid DepositionWet Acid Deposition Dry Acid DepositionDry Acid Deposition

• In the United States, coal burning power and industrial plants in the Ohio Valley emit the largest quantities of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants that can cause acid deposition.

• The typical precipitation in the Eastern United States has a pH of 4 – 4.8. More than 10 times the natural precipitation with a pH of 5.6.

Acid Deposition in the US

Acid Deposition - Plants, and Soil

Fig. 20-11 p. 447

Nutrient LeachingNutrient Leaching

Heavy Metal ReleaseHeavy Metal Release

Weakens TreesWeakens Trees

Figure 20-11Page 447

Emission

Aciddeposition

SO2

H2O2

PANs

NOX

O3

Others

Direct damageto leaves and bark

Reducedphotosynthesisand growth

IncreasedSusceptibilityto drought,extreme cold,insects, mosses,and diseaseorganisms

Soil acidification

Leaching ofSoil nutrients

AcidRelease oftoxicmetal icons

Root damage

Reduced nutrientand water uptake

Tree death

Groundwater

Acid DepositionAcid Deposition

Acid Deposition and Aquatic Systems

Fish DeclinesFish Declines

Aluminum ToxicityAluminum Toxicity

Acid ShockAcid Shock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7MpI9dZIjk

Acidifying Waters Corrode Northwest Shellfish

PBS NEWSHOUR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAaRJKKTOys

Ocean Acidification and Coral Reefs

Potential problem areasbecause of sensitive soils

Potential problem areas because of air pollution: emissions leading to acid deposition

Current problem areas(including lakes and rivers)

Acid Deposition and Humans

Respiratory DiseasesRespiratory Diseases

Toxic Metal LeachingToxic Metal Leaching Damage to structures especially Damage to structures especially containing calcium carbonatecontaining calcium carbonate

Decreased VisibilityDecreased Visibility

Decreased Productivity and profitabilityDecreased Productivity and profitability of fisheries, forests and farmsof fisheries, forests and farms

Nasal cavity

Oral cavity

Pharynx (throat)

Trachea (windpipe)

Bronchus

Right lung

Bronchioles

AsthmaAsthma

BronchitisBronchitis

EmphysemaEmphysema

Fibrosis/Lung Fibrosis/Lung CancerCancer

Reduce air pollution by improving energy efficiency

Reduce coal use

Increase natural gas use

Increase use of renewable resources

Burn low-sulfur coal

Remove SO2 particulates, and Nox from smokestack gases

Remove Nox from motor vehicular exhaust

Tax emissions of SO2

Add lime to neutralizeacidified lakes

Add phosphatefertilizer to neutralizeacidified lakes

SolutionsAcid Deposition

Prevention Cleanup