An Ugly Effect of Fossil Fuels: Acid Rain
Fossil fuels-oil, coal, and natural gas-are running out quickly,
and since much of the world's power depends on these resources, in
the next few hundred years this could be a major problem. However,
if we aren't more careful about the way we use these natural
resources, we won't have to worry about that; the world won't
survive that long.
The burning of fossil fuels pollute the environment in many
ways, including contributing to the greenhouse effect and
producing harmful by-products that are dangerous to our
health.
One of these side effects, which causes the majority of the damage
to the ecosystem, is acid rain.
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The two chemicals that contribute the most
to acid rain (which includes all forms of precipitation) are sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides. In the United States, the main cause of
sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere is the burning
of fossil fuels. When these chemicals are released into the air,
they react with other compounds, such as water, due to the heat of
the sun.
These new chemical compounds form clouds and when it rains, the
pollutants re-enter the ecosystem.
Acid rain is measured on a pH scale, and while normal rain has a
level of 5.5, acid rain in the United States is sometimes a
low as 4.3. The pollutants in our air might come from our own
country, but wind currents carry them as well, so when we burn
fossil fuels, it pollutes the rest of the world and vice versa.
By discontinuing the use of fossil fuels, we can't get rid of the
pollutants already in our environment, but we can stop new ones from
entering it. Acid rain can only be counterbalanced by very
carefully adding other chemicals, such as limestone, to the
environment to react with the acidity. However, the ecosystem
effected will never be 100% the same. Alternative energy powers can
create energy without the end result of destroying the earth and her
beauty.
Acid rain causes destruction not only where it falls, but
also all over the country and planet, since lakes, rivers, and
streams carry the water throughout the land and eventually to the
ocean. Along the way, the animals and plants that depend on this
water to live (including humans) are affected and may die from the
excess chemicals.
To do our part to reduce acid rain, we all must conserve
energy so that we use less fossil fuel and support the research and
development of alternative fuel programs. So far in the United
States, hydroelectric power (energy made from water) and nuclear
power (energy made by splitting atoms) are being most readily
developed.
Other forms of alternative energy include solar, tidal, geothermal,
wind, and biomass power. By cutting back on the amounts of fossil
fuels we use and pursuing these options, we can stop acid rain
and begin to clean up the earth.
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Read the reports, print and put them in a binder for ready
reference, and visit my
"Alternative
Energy" website for more useful ideas and money and environment
saving information.
... Richard Rossbauer
About the Author -
Richard Rossbauer has been writing about important
environmental considerations
and related topics for the past 6 or 7 years. His website at
www.RichardPresents.com also offers tips and
tools for doing fun things like family gardening, camping,
cooking, bird watching, and other enjoyable and entertaining
activities. . |
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