How Does Chemical Rain Affect Us?
So what is it about these gases that makes Chemical/acid rain so dangerous? Why should we be worried? How does it affect us?
Water Ecosystem Effects
Chemical rain mostly affects the environment, especially lakes and streams. The most obvious effect is the loss of fish, because many species of fish are not able to survive in acidic water. Long-term acidification from years of acidic rainfall reduces the alkalinity,
the quantitative capacity of an aqueous solution to neutralize an acid, and thus increases the acidity of the water. It may reduce the levels of nutrients such as calcium, which over time weaken the fish, plants, and other animals in an aquatic ecosystem. Sudden shifts in water chemistry may lead to high concentrations of substances such as aluminum, which may be toxic to fish. And how might this affect us? If we eat the fish, or eat an animal that eats the fish, we are also consuming that toxic aluminum.
Water Ecosystem Effects
Chemical rain mostly affects the environment, especially lakes and streams. The most obvious effect is the loss of fish, because many species of fish are not able to survive in acidic water. Long-term acidification from years of acidic rainfall reduces the alkalinity,
the quantitative capacity of an aqueous solution to neutralize an acid, and thus increases the acidity of the water. It may reduce the levels of nutrients such as calcium, which over time weaken the fish, plants, and other animals in an aquatic ecosystem. Sudden shifts in water chemistry may lead to high concentrations of substances such as aluminum, which may be toxic to fish. And how might this affect us? If we eat the fish, or eat an animal that eats the fish, we are also consuming that toxic aluminum.
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/6/3/38639711/9248234_orig.jpg)
Imagine the phantoms of the dead fish singing this in your nightmares...
Every single night... You wouldn't want that, would you? Didn't think so.
Save the fish. Prevent chemical rain.
Every single night... You wouldn't want that, would you? Didn't think so.
Save the fish. Prevent chemical rain.
Health Effects
That's right, it isn't just about the animals and plants. We are affected by this too. I mean, that's the only way people can care about something, right? If it affects them too? But anyways.
Some of the particles which can be formed from sulfate and nitrate ions can affect respiration. They can be transported long distances by winds and inhaled deep into people's lungs. Fine particles can also penetrate indoors. Many scientific studies have identified a relationship between elevated levels of fine particles and increased illness and premature death from heart and lung disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis. That's never fun.
Urban Lifestyle Effects
Oh, and not to mention our beautiful monumental buildings! They're a big part of our culture and heritage, are they not? Indeed, acid deposition has caused deterioration of buildings and monuments. Many of these are built of stone, that contains calcium carbonate. Marble is one such material. The acid rain can turn the calcium carbonate to calcium sulfate. The calcium sulfate can crumble and be washed away.
That's right, it isn't just about the animals and plants. We are affected by this too. I mean, that's the only way people can care about something, right? If it affects them too? But anyways.
Some of the particles which can be formed from sulfate and nitrate ions can affect respiration. They can be transported long distances by winds and inhaled deep into people's lungs. Fine particles can also penetrate indoors. Many scientific studies have identified a relationship between elevated levels of fine particles and increased illness and premature death from heart and lung disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis. That's never fun.
Urban Lifestyle Effects
Oh, and not to mention our beautiful monumental buildings! They're a big part of our culture and heritage, are they not? Indeed, acid deposition has caused deterioration of buildings and monuments. Many of these are built of stone, that contains calcium carbonate. Marble is one such material. The acid rain can turn the calcium carbonate to calcium sulfate. The calcium sulfate can crumble and be washed away.
Other Environmental Effects
Acid deposition may influence forest vegetation and soils. Acid rain weakens the trees’ natural defenses, making them more vulnerable to diseases. Chemical rain is a contributing factor to the decline of the spruce-fir forests throughout the Eastern United States. Chemical rain may remove soil nutrients such as calcium and magnesium from soils in high elevation forests and cause damage to needles of Red Spruce. Chemical rain may also help weaken natural defenses of some trees, making them more vulnerable to some diseases and pests.
Excess nitrogen may cause eutrophication, or over-nourishment, in areas where rivers enter the ocean. This may lead to unwanted growth of algae and other nuisance plants. As much as 40% of the total nitrogen entering coastal bays on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts may come from atmospheric deposition.
Acid deposition may influence forest vegetation and soils. Acid rain weakens the trees’ natural defenses, making them more vulnerable to diseases. Chemical rain is a contributing factor to the decline of the spruce-fir forests throughout the Eastern United States. Chemical rain may remove soil nutrients such as calcium and magnesium from soils in high elevation forests and cause damage to needles of Red Spruce. Chemical rain may also help weaken natural defenses of some trees, making them more vulnerable to some diseases and pests.
Excess nitrogen may cause eutrophication, or over-nourishment, in areas where rivers enter the ocean. This may lead to unwanted growth of algae and other nuisance plants. As much as 40% of the total nitrogen entering coastal bays on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts may come from atmospheric deposition.