The Effect of Fossil Fuel Emissions on Acid Rain

Abstract
Fossil fuels have always been blamed for acid rain: the gases that mix with water vapor in the upper atmosphere are produced through the burning of fossil fuel. When fossil fuels are burned they release a number of gases including sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide is responsible for more than 60% of acid rain, and 90% of that is due to human origin. The United States government is trying to take control of the situation through laws such as the Clean Air Act, but the fact that we consume almost 25% of the worlds oil doesnt help. Wind currents also play a big role in acid rain because it can carry the toxic gases away from the source showering an innocent place with acid rain. This explains why the pH level on the east coast is below the pH level of the west coast. Nevertheless, fossil fuels are responsible for acid rain and unless something is done about reducing emissions, the world may find itself in a very bleak situation.

Background
The after effect of fossil fuel emissions on acid rain has been pondered for quite a while. If there was an increase in the burning of fossil fuels, would that have an effect on the number of occurrences of acid rain? The answer to that question has always been yes, but why though? What is it about fossil fuel that triggers acid rain? Before we examine why, what exactly is fossil fuel and acid rain? Fossil fuel is defined as anything that is burned to produce energy and is composed of the remains of animals that lived millions of years of ago.1 Acid rain is more accurately called acid deposition because acid rain is too broad of a term. There are two types of acid deposition: wet and dry. Wet acid

deposition is precipitation, whereas dry acid deposition is gas and particles2. It is probably safe to hypothesize that fossil fuel emissions do in fact increase the occurrences of wet acid deposition.

Supporting Evidence
As perhaps previously thought, rain isnt completely neutral as it falls from the sky. According to Peter Brimblecombe, the average pH of rainfall is 5.6 but when the pH drops below that, then the problem occurs3. Studies show that when fossil fuels are burned they release a whole array of gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide etc 4. These gases then dissolve in clouds, all the while mixing with the water vapor, and returning to Earth as acid rain. Sometimes, the amount of acid that is dissolved is so great that the water can be as acidic as vinegar 5. Sulfur dioxide emissions are responsible for 60-70% of the acid deposition that occurs globally and more than 90% of the sulfur in the atmosphere is of human origin 6. Nevertheless the other 30- 40% results from the emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxide. However, the government is taking drastic measures to hinder this corruptive cycle the world seems to be stuck in. As a result, acid rain occurrences have decreased yearly from 1990 to 2001 due to all the laws passed by the U.S. Government (such as the Clean Air Act etc)3. In addition, total sulfur emissions fell from 8.7 million tons in 1990 to 3.6 million tons in 2001. Nitrogen oxide emissions have also been reduced, decreasing by 1.5 million tons 7. Despite all the precautions taken, the United States is responsible for 24.8% of the worlds oil consumption8. In 2001 the estimated sulfur emissions of kiloton per area was 12,196 9. All this certainly must take a toll on the countrys lakes and streams, which

happen to be directly affected by the pH of the rainfall. In 2001 the average pH level on the west coast was about 5.4 however the average pH level on the east coast was more around 4.4 10. Such a massive difference is due to wind currents. Harmful gases from the west coast rise up and due to the prevailing westerly wind the air pollution is carried to the east coast, where it precipitates, causing the pH to decrease 11. Such a variation in pH must no doubt verify that fossil fuels do in fact have an effect in acid rain, which in turn decreases the pH of lakes, streams, etc.

Conclusion
Fossil fuel and their effect on acid rain have significantly increased human awareness. Humans now realize the consequences of their never satisfying greed for fossil fuels. It has an effect on everything from water, to soil, to plants, human health, and the ozone layer. An increase in awareness has caused many governments to pass regulations on major factories limiting their toxic emissions 3. Also, even though rain is slightly acidic to begin with, the fossil fuel emissions cause the pH to drop even lower 3,4. In answer to the original question: if there was an increase in the burning of fossil fuel, would that have an effect on the occurrences of acid rain? The answer to that question is, absolutely yes. Sulfur dioxide emissions are the main cause of acid rain, which is mainly formed through the burning of fossil fuels 6. Therefore an increase in fossil fuel emissions would lead to an increase in acidic gases in the atmosphere. The toxic gases mix with water vapor, and as a result acid rain is formed. Consequently, the more fossil fuel emissions, the faster the rotation of this cycle. Thus proving that the number of occurrences of acid rain does depend on some extent, on the amount of emissions produced from fossil fuels.

Resources
1

"Fossil

fuel." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1.) Available at

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fossil fuel Accessed on 14 Apr. 2007.

2

What is Acid Rain and What causes it?. Almanac of Policy issues. 2002. Available

at: http://www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/acid_rain.shtml Accessed on 14 April 2007.

3

Brimblecombe P. Acid Drops. New Scientist. 18 May 2002; v174 i2343 pS1(4)

Available at: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/788/388/96471894w1/purl=rc1_ EAIM_0_A87011319&dyn=5!xrn_2_0_A87011319?sw_aep=plch_main Accessed on 14 April 2007.

4

Major Air Pollutants. Infoplease. 2005. Available at: http://www.infoplease.com/ip

a/A00 04695.html. Accessed on: 14 April 2007.

5

Oskamp, S. A Sustainable Future for Humanity?: How Can Psychology Help?

American Psychologist. May 2000; Volume 55(5, p 496- 508 Available at: http://www.blackboard.wayne.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_169_1. Accessed on 15 April 2007.
6

Perchard, J. Acid Rain. The World Youth Manifesto Project. March 2004. Available

at: http://www.pwc.k12.nf.ca/cida/manifesto/acidrain.html Accessed on: 15 April 2007.

7

Reiber, D. The Carrot, the Stick, Or a Third Way to Cleaner Air. Tidepool. 17 June

2002. Available at: http://www.tidepool.org/greentide/greent.6.17.02.cfm Accessed on 15 April 2007.

Oil Consumption by Country. NationMaster. 10 January 2005. Available at:

http://www.nationmaster.com/red/pie/ene_oil_con-energy-oil-consumption Accessed on: 15 April 2007.

9

Historical Sulfur Emissions: United States America.. University of East Anglia. 1990.

Available at: http://www.uea.ac.uk/~e490/su/UNITED_STATES _AMERICA.html. Accessed on 15 April 2007.

10

National Water Conditions. USGS. 2001. Available at: http://water.usgs.g

ov/nwc/NWC/pH/html/ph.html. Accessed on: 15 April 2007.

11

Acid Rain. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 4 October 2006. Available

at:http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/peg_caa/pegcaa05.html. Accessed on: 15 April 2007.