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Acid Rain Is a Very Big Pollution Problem in the World

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Acid rain is a very big pollution problem in the world. It has killed fish and other aquatic life in many lakes and streams. It harms human health, disfigures monuments and erodes buildings, and, along with other pollutants, threatens forests. The story of acid rain can be compared to the plot of a science fiction movie. In the 1950s an invisible force begins to destroy lakes and rivers, killing trout and salmon. By the 1960s it is harming the waters of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. High-altitude forests are beginning to fade away. City statues are gradually eaten away. The appearance from the damage of the aliens is starting to appear all over. Just as in science fiction movies, the authorities refuse to warn …show more content…

The SO2 created during combustion can be absorbed if an appropriate chemical, such as limestone, is present as the fuel burns. Once the fuel has been burned, the SO2 can be removed from the exhaust gases. Most systems spray a mixture of limestone and water onto the gases. This mixture reacts with the SO2 to form qypsum, a useful building material. Another option is not to burn fossil fuels, but to use alternative energy sources. (What 1) All of these methods for reducing acid gases are expensive, and have drawbacks, so laws have been passed to force businesses to use them (What 1). The best way to reduce them is not to use as much energy in the first place. There are many things that common citizens can do. Such as; turn off lights when you leave a room, don't use cars for short journeys, insulate houses properly, and basically anything at all that uses less energy. There are some temporary relieves for the effects of acid rain. "The most promising strategy for helping lakes with low pH problems is to use lime or limestone to reduce the acidity and raise the pH" (Pringle 80). Lake liming has gone on for decades, and scientists know a lot about its effectiveness. Before exploring this chemical treatment in detail, however, an obvious truth should be stated: Adding lime is hardly a promising strategy for helping lakes

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