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_Acid Rain Legislation _
By: Mike Pfeifer
Acid Rain Legislation Acid rain is a destructive force as a result of nature
and man colliding. It is formed through harmful industrial emissions combining
with contents of the earth's atmosphere; a dangerous combination. This
prompted governments throughout North America to take action. Many laws and
regulations have been implemented, yet the question still remains, "Should
tougher legislation be implemented to force industries to reduce acid rain
emissions? To decide whether tougher legislation should be implemented, one
must first understand the details of what exactly acid rain is. Acid rain is a
result of mankind's carelessness. It travels a long one of the most efficient
biogeochemical cycles on earth, the Hydrologic Cycle. This allows acid rain to
distribute itself further away from it's source causing more than local
problems. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is released by fossil fuels when they undergo
combustion. Power plants and other fossil fuel burning industrial areas
release various forms of nitrous oxides (Nox). These two chemical compounds
combine with the water in the atmosphere to form what is known as acid rain.
The main reason that has prompted legislation of industrial emissions from
governments is because of the negative effects they can have on the
environment. Acid rain is harmful to the environment because of it's low pH.
It can harm the biotic components of earth, and also the abiotic components.
It's high acidity degrades soil to the point where it cannot support any type
of plant life. Trees in forests are killed over long-term exposure. When these
trees are killed, an imbalance in the hydrologic cycle can occur. Without
living trees to consume the precipitate, it must be consumed by the earth or
any other plants. These will receive an excess of water, causing other
problems in the hydrologic cycle. This in turn causes a chain reaction of
death among our forests. Some regions are more susceptible to acid rain
because they don't have enough Alkaline soil to "neutralize" the acid before
it is able to destroy the rest of the soil or before it can run off into lakes
or rivers. Aquatic environments can be greatly affected by soil runoff. Acidic
soil may run off into lakes and rivers due to erosion, causing acid rain to
destroy more environment. Acid rain aquatic animals as well as aquatic plant
life. When acid rain combines with water in major bodies of water, it not only
destroys wildlife habitat, it destroys our drinking water. An aquatic
ecosystem is very dependent on each and every aspect within itself. Once one
species dies off, others that depend on it, will eventually begin to die off
also. This systematic chain continues until the entire body of water is
completely abiotic. The reason acid rain is so effective in destroying
ecosystems is because it harms everything in that particular ecosystem. Being
distributed through the hydrologic cycle, acid rain is capable of destroying
everything in it's path. Many laws and agreements have been implemented by
governments in North America to reduce acid rain emissions. The question
governments are asking is: "Are these regulations enough?". One of the more
famous laws/organizations implemented by North American governments was the
"Clean Air Act" which was signed in 1991. Also in 1991, Canada signed an
agreement with the United states concerning air quality. Media explains that
the agreement has enough framework to address all transboundary air pollution
issues. It is a very broad/general agreement that should highly reduce air
pollution between these two major countries of the world. This agreement
contains other specific commitments for emissions reductions relating to acid
rain precursors and research as well as a commitment to review the Agreement
in it's fifth year. This allows for expansion of the agreement in the near
future. Research and studies forced by this agreement is also an intelligent
decision among these countries; education is the basis of all knowledge.
Besides agreements and legislation’s of sorts, technology is an awesome force
in the reduction of acid rain emissions. The only down side to this technology
is that it is extremely expensive. Scrubbers have been placed in the
smokestacks to remove harmful emissions. Lime is used in lakes to "neutralize"
the low pH levels. Without studies being conducted and research being taken
out on acid rain, these technologies would not be here today. This is why
education may be the ultimate technology in the reduction of acid rain
emissions. Should tougher legislation be implemented to force industry to
reduce acid rain emissions? From an environmental point of view...yes,
anything that can be done, should be done. Whether it be through studies,
research, new technologies, anything for our environment. From an economical
point of view...no, technology is very expensive and hardly affordable in
terms of most industries. Technology can reduce the dangers of acid rain, but
at what cost? Tougher legislation should be implemented to preserve our
environments, to preserve our lifestyle, and life on earth.
Word Count: 819
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