By: Erica Choaty

Acid Rain poses devastating effects on humans and the environment. It is not too late for us to lessen its scale of occurrences. We just need to be more cautious of our actions towards how we affect the environment.

Contains acidic substance produced from human and nature activities. It is the mixture of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and water vapour in the air. Composed of two parts: dry and wet deposition. The dry deposition consists of acidic gases and particles The wet deposition consists of acidic rain, fog, and snow.

During the industrial revolution, people were fascinated by the fast production of food, clothes, and other objects. This helped rise the economy of many countries especially Great Britain. Yet, the appealing advantages blinded many people that its disadvantages were sacrificed. As soon as the steam-engine, spinning jenny and other innovations of the industrial revolution were created, the no. of required coal increased as well the rate of burning fossil fuels. As a result, the industrial revolution gave birth to the creation of air pollution. And as the industrial revolution kept on developing the air pollution intensified as well that it led to the development of acid deposition.

The daily human activities release acidic gases into the air. These acidic gases are formed from burning fossil fuel in factories, automobiles and other industries. The natural environmental activities also release acidic gases into the air, but they produce a minor amount of it through volcanic eruptions, and fire. Burning fossil fuels produce chemicals gases such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere.

Since the industrial revolution, there have been more factories, automobiles and other industries releasing carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Air pollution was formed from this process, affecting the temperature and the climate of the earth. As the air pollution increases, more chemical gases are formed and they are oxidized during combustion. As a result, acid deposition is formed from air pollution and creates a cycle.

Deforestation occurs because of the acid substances leaching the ions of trees and destruction of its photosynthetic tissue. Water pollution takes place due to the precipitation of toxic substances that affects the environment of many sea creatures. Loss of Habitat occurs as the deforestation and water pollution removes the natural habitats of many animals and sea creatures. Extinction arises towards the animals due to the loss of habitat and soon overpopulation of bacteria transpires. Unknown diseases befall on humans due to the overpopulation of bacteria. Shortly results to our extinction since there is no valid cure for the unknown diseases.

Become one with nature by less usage of urban technologies such as television, cellphones, and other electric-controlled devises. Eradicate automobiles that have been used for over 4-5 years because these are the ones that produce much of the acidic gases into the air. Encourage factories to produce recycled objects and use recycled materials to avoid emissions of smoke into the atmosphere. Lessen the consumption of coal and electricity thus saving money and saving the environment for us and the wildlife.

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