A CID R AIN Some Stay Dry and Others Feel the Pain

What is acid rain? Precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids Precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids Two types Two types Wet deposition Wet deposition E.g. rain, fog, snow E.g. rain, fog, snow Dry deposition Dry deposition acidic gases and particles acidic gases and particles

Cause: air pollution Fossil fuels burning Fossil fuels burning Emit sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide Emit sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide Chemicals absorbed into atmosphere Chemicals absorbed into atmosphere Reactions occur => acidic compounds Reactions occur => acidic compounds Acidic compounds spread Acidic compounds spread Wind Wind Run-off water Run-off water

But, hey, what’s wrong with a few acidic compounds in precipitation? Destroys ecosystems Destroys ecosystems Kills off wildlife Kills off wildlife Example: small fish can be killed by high acidic levels in their water Example: small fish can be killed by high acidic levels in their water

As you can see, this cycle is just like the water cycle… with a zing!

Cycle simplified

Prevention Reduce emissions from air pollutants Reduce emissions from air pollutants Walk or bike; don’t drive all the time! Walk or bike; don’t drive all the time! Use public transportation or carpool Use public transportation or carpool Recycle Recycle Less waste=Less pollutants Less waste=Less pollutants Conserve Energy Conserve Energy

What is being done currently? EPA Clean Air Act EPA Clean Air Act Controls air pollution Controls air pollution Reduce smog, haze, acid rain, and more Reduce smog, haze, acid rain, and more Phases out chemicals that destroys the atmosphere Phases out chemicals that destroys the atmosphere Beverly Hills sorts through trash for recyclable items Beverly Hills sorts through trash for recyclable items

Contacts Environmental Protection Agency 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA Environmental Protection Agency 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA Senator Dianne Feinstein United States Senate 331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C Senator Dianne Feinstein United States Senate 331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C Read more about the Clean Air Act on epa.gov Read more about the Clean Air Act on epa.gov