Environmental Management Acid Rain - Term Paper Example

Environmental Management – Acid Rain Name: Course: Instructor: Institution: Location: Date: Introduction Environmental management has gained more attention in the recent decades the discovery that human activities seek to utilize, deplete, and deteriorate the quality of surroundings and its resources (Burns et al, 2016). As witnessed throughout history, a lack of proper environmental management efforts may lead to adverse consequences for not only the environment itself but also for humans, animals, plant, and all other elements required life (Burns et al, 2016). The following essay seeks to focus on environmental management within the context of AR. It is referred to as a type of precipitation that possesses a high proportion of hydrogen ions, thus decreasing its pH (Yaoki, 2015). While pure water has a pH of seven, rain has a slightly higher pH of 5.5. Acidic deposition can occur in two forms, namely wet and dry deposition. Wet deposition occurs in the form of rain, fog, snow, and hail, among other fluids, which seep into the soil, land on water, and on other surfaces (Smol, 2009). The strength of the wet deposition will therefore be dependent on its level of acidity as well as the level of protection that plants, soils, and other surfaces have. Dry deposition refers to when acidic chemicals, which dry and come into contact with the water, soil, and other surfaces. As such, they may occur in the form of dry particles and gases. As opposed to wet deposition, dry deposition is mainly transported by wind to these surfaces, which may later mix with water to cause the adverse effects (Brimblecombe, 2007). Whilst the natural precipitation that falls to the Earth’s surface is said to possess a certain level of acidity, human activities have contributed significantly to increasing this. Natural acidity in precipitation may be influenced by phenomenon such as rotting vegetation and volcanic eruptions, which release nitric and sulfuric compounds that mix with the water vapor (Apsimon et al, 2015) However, most AR is caused by human activities which release compounds such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides into the atmosphere and mixes with the falling precipitation. When this highly acidic precipitation falls to the Earth, it can have a wide range of adverse effects (Parks, 2016). Among the effects experienced with AR on the environment, none is more pronounced than the effect on water bodies and life dependent on these environments (Parks, 2006). The spread of AR penetrates all manner of ecosystems, making it one of the most difficult ecological hazards to tackle (Parks, 2006). As such, human activity, which facilitates AR, requires more strict controls, such as placing regulations and promoting awareness among the public. A deeper perspective is required through more thorough research into AR, which will give way to better recommendations and solutions. Adverse Effects Plants and soil AR can damage plants and soil, which is dependent on stable pH (Burns et al, 2016). It can affect large areas of forests, especially those in the high-altitude areas. AR reacts with the essential nutrients (e.g. magnesium, ammonia, and nitrogen) in the soil, which can form more harmful compounds and limit the number of nutrients available to sustain plant and animal life. AR also makes it more difficult for plants to absorb and retain water within their systems, which can potentially cause growth retardation or death (Ibrahim & Jafar. 2016). AR also results in aluminum, which is naturally present in some soils, to become bioavailable, which interferes with plant uptake of essential nutrients (Burns et al., 2016; Ghai, 2014) AR can influence plants, especially those in high altitude areas, by reducing their ability to withstand temperature drops, interfering with their immune systems making them more vulnerable as well as interfering with their reproductive capabilities (Yaoki, 2015). At higher elevations, it is common to find acidic fog in areas affected by AR. This fog makes it more difficult for sunlight to reach the Earth’s surface, which hinders photosynthesis. Additionally, the fog, which is exposed to the surface of trees and leaves, will wear away their waxy protective surfaces, thus exposing them to more damage (Yaoki, 2015). Therefore, plants are more susceptible to disease and will be less healthy, as evidenced by the lack of green pigmentation in the leaves (Wang, Liu, Niu, & Fu, 2013). Episodic acidification can result from snow that melts from high altitude areas. Here, high amounts of AR can be caused from temporary release of chemicals into the Earth’s atmosphere. Although the effects are short term, it may lead to adverse effects, where plant and animal life is harmed (Prajogo et al, 2014). The wet deposition, which is referred to AR, is experienced in many parts of North America, and particularly in the Eastern United States. Some of the states receiving the highest amount of acid precipitation include Ohio, West Virginia, Upstate New York, New England, and West Pennsylvania (Prajogo et al, 2014). One of the factors, which affect the rate of deterioration of ecosystems in the soil, is the fact that many of the soils found within these regions have a lower buffering capacity (Somers, 2013). Buffering capacity is facilitated by an availability of high amounts of calcium and magnesium carbonates, which neutralizes the acidic precipitation. Soils, which have been affected by the acidic precipitation, may lose their buffering capacity, and the process of replenishing it may take several years or even decades (Somers, 2013). Aquatic ecosystems Aquatic ecosystems experience the most adverse effects of AR, compared to other ecosystems (Burns et al, 2016). These aquatic ecosystems may consist of lakes, ponds, and streams. It affects some of the sensitive bodies of water, which have a higher proximity to soils with low buffering capacities. Runoff from these acidic soils enter nearby water bodies, causing the sulfate, nitrate and aluminum materials contained in the acidic water to be deposited, further deteriorating and acidifying the water bodies (Burns et al, 2016). Alternatively, acidification can result from AR falling directly into the water body. Other common sources of AR pollution in water bodies include water runoff from roads, pathways, and other hard surface. AR also affects the water surfaces and the animals within that ecosystem. A high amount of sulfuric acid will limit the inability of fish and other organisms to take in both oxygen and nutrients. The effects are even greater for freshwater fish, which will face difficulty in balancing essential minerals and salts in their bodies at a pH of less than 5.5 (Smol, 2009). Reproduction is also a major challenge to aquatic life in acidic environments. Most of the eggs laid by fish are unable to hatch in highly acidic waters. Rivers and streams, which pour into larger water bodies, do not have a high level of biodiversity as a result of reduced plant and animal species (Mitchell, 2013). Lack of nutrients and reduced reproduction rates will lead to a situation where plant and animal populations and species are severely reduced. AR not only affects the water bodies along with the plant and animal life residing within. It also has the potential to affect the entire food chain and other organisms, which depend on the water to survive (Apsimon et al, 2014). Thus, it is evident that the more the acidic these water bodies are, the lower the biodiversity. Other effects AR affects not only water, plants, and animals, but also other materials and manufactured structures such as buildings, statues, sewerage outlets, and bridges. This is especially so for dry deposition, which falls to the Earth’s surface and makes other particles become acidic. Dry deposition can stick to these materials and corrode them once they come into contact with water or rain. Limestone (basic) materials are especially vulnerable to acidic deposition because they are basic and porous. This makes it easier for the acidic deposition to stick and seep into it when in contact with the already highly acidic water (Burns et al, 2016). When these particles come into contact with buildings, they can deteriorate faster. Metal, concrete, and painted structures are particularly vulnerable to corrosion from the acidic particles and structures made of limestone or other calcareous materials are especially susceptible to AR as they can dissolve (Brimblecombe, 2007). This leads to a situation where more resources are required to maintain these man-made structures. Increased maintenance costs will result because many of these structures will require renovations and replacement. Stone structures, which become corroded, can also lose their detail and aesthetic. Human health and environment AR results from sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide materials reacting with falling precipitation, which can seep into soil and water bodies. It is the same soil and water bodies, which people require to survive and thrive through drinking, fishing, and growing food (Fan et al, 2013). Harmful effects on water bodies, which lead to killing of fish and other life in the water bodies, can affect human food sources (Fan et al, 2013). Additionally, the effect on the soil may lead to infertility, which makes it difficult to grow food. If food is grown in such acidic souls, it can lack sufficient nutrients to promote human health (Fan et al, 2013). As a matter of fact, these plants, which contain aluminum and sulfur oxides, may contribute to human health deterioration (Michaelides, 2012). Sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which are primarily responsible for the formation of AR can, also react with other particles in the atmosphere. They can cause the formation of fine sulfate and nitrate particles, which can be inhaled by human beings. It may cause a variety of lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and pneumonia. In the case where individuals already have these health problems, these conditions can worsen. These fine particles can also cause ground level ozone. Ground level ozone is primarily made up of three oxygen particles O3) and is harmful to the quality of air. It is not emitted naturally, but through chemical processes that fuse nitrogen oxides and organic compounds that are highly volatile (Environmental Protection Agency, 2017). Ground level ozone is therefore harmful in not only breathing but also triggers negative effects to sensitive vegetation and ecosystems. Controlling the Risk As mentioned above, most of the causes of AR result primarily from human activities. Natural processes, which cannot be controlled only contribute to a small portion of this phenomenon. However, if those were the only causes of AR, the world would not experience adverse effects of AR, requiring urgent environmental intervention. Human activity that causes AR mainly results from utilization the of energy sources, which emit the sulfate and nitrate compounds (Ghose, 2015). Manufacturing and power plants contribute to a majority of the acidic pollutants released into the Earth’s atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. These fuels release most of the nitrate compounds, which mix with water in the atmosphere. Other significant causes of chemical release into the air include exhaust from vehicles (Ghose, 2015). Hence, with the problem of AR clearly identified, there is need for relevant parties to commit to reducing these effects. These can be done in a variety of ways. One of the most important ways through which chemical release can be mitigated is through utilization of less energy, not only on a national scale but also on a global one. This has become a challenge, as human beings have become more and more dependent on energy sources that release sulfate and nitrate chemicals (Brimblecombe, 2007). However, throughout the recent years, environmentalists have become more active in pushing for the use of more environmentally friendly and sustainable chemical and resources as sources of energy (Somers, 2013). This includes solar, geothermal, wind, hydro-electricity, and nuclear power (Somers, 2013). However, the challenge is that most of these sources of power require high amount of investment in order to harness them, preventing many countries from utilizing them (Evangelinos et al, 2014; Nyirenda, & Ngwakwe, 2014). Energy can also be conserved not only by large companies and agencies that regulate power consumption, but also from a community level (Somers, 2013). This can be achieved through ensuring that there has been sufficient awareness disseminated into the public. One of the challenges that propel the increase of energy consumption is the fact that there is insufficient knowledge about the existence and effects of AR (Somers, 2013). Another way in which these gases can be prevented from release into the air is through a filtration process, where sulfur and nitrogen oxides react with other chemicals, neutralized, and then released into the earth’s atmosphere (Somers, 2013). Other means of controlling the release of sulfur oxides is through ensuring that the sulfur content in the fossil fuels are reduced before they are burnt. This can be done through cleaning the coal before burning (Somers, 2013). Flue gas desulfurization involves a process whereby sulfur dioxide is removed from flue gas. It consists of a wet scrubber, which extracts stack gases from the power and manufacturing plants. Mitigation measures also include use of lime added onto the soil and water bodies. (Epstein, 2014). This will act as a neutralizing agent, thus allowing the ecosystem to maintain a healthy pH. However, while these measures are effective, they are only temporary solutions that are not sustainable as long as AR continues to occur in these areas. Conclusion AR is estimated to be one of the top ten global environmental issues to be tackled, as it is responsible for damaging almost all ecosystems it comes into contact with (Ghose, 2015). While some of the causes of AR are natural, it mostly arises from human activities. AR causes a variety of ecological effects by inhibiting health growth of plants and severely affecting aquatic organisms and animals that depend on the water systems to survive. As such, measures to mitigate this include creation of awareness, mitigation of affected ecosystems using lime, and use of measures of ‘cleaning’ the gases before they are released into the atmosphere. References Apsimon, H., Pearce, D. and Ozdemiroglu, E., 2014. Acid rain in Europe: counting the cost. Routledge. Brimblecombe, P. (2007). Acid rain: deposition to recovery. 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