Background Acid rain, or “acidic deposition”, is caused when two common air pollutants, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) , are released into the atmosphere, react and mix with atmospheric moisture and return to the earth as acidic rain, snow, fog or particulate matter.
What causes acid rain in the Great Lakes?
Pollutants that are transferred from the air into the Great Lakes are responsible for harming the quality of the water in the Lakes, as well as the health of the plants and animals that call the Great Lakes home.” Emissions from fossil fuels that release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxide (NO) combine with the ...
What is the main cause of acid rain in Canada’s Great Lakes region?
Mining processes release harmful chemicals into the air , which causes acid rain. Canada’s government has made new rules about mining. Some rules reduce the amount of pollution allowed in waterways.
What factor causes acid rain in Canada?
Power plants release the majority of sulfur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity. In addition, the exhaust from cars, trucks, and buses releases nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air. These pollutants cause acid rain.
What are the main causes of pollution in the Great Lakes?
- runoff of soils and farm chemicals from agricultural lands.
- waste from cities.
- discharges from industrial areas.
- leachate from disposal sites.
- direct atmospheric pollutants that fall as rain, snow, or dust on the lake surface, or exchange as gases with the lake water.
What is a harmful effect of acid rain in Canada?
The ongoing industrialization of society has resulted in the increased release of acidic chemicals into the atmosphere. Acid rain has wiped out fishes, molluscs and frogs in thousands of Eastern Canada lakes . Acid rain has wiped out fishes, molluscs and frogs in thousands of Eastern Canada lakes (photo by Don E.
What are the effects of acid rain on humans?
Acid Rain Can Cause Health Problems in People
Air pollution like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause respiratory diseases, or can make these diseases worse. Respiratory diseases like asthma or chronic bronchitis make it hard for people to breathe.
Which countries caused the acid rain on the Great Lakes?
Houses, buildings, and statues can also be damaged. Southern Canada (near the Great Lakes region) experiences the highest levels of acid rain. 50-75% of the pollution that causes acid rain actually comes from the US. Wind patterns tend to move the pollution from the US north into Canada.
Where is acid rain a problem?
Acid rain is responsible for severe environmental destruction across the world and occurs most commonly in the North Eastern United States , Eastern Europe and increasingly in parts of China and India.
What are the causes and effect of acid rain?
Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds such as sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are released into the air . These substances can rise very high up into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants called acid rain.
Is acid rain still a problem in Canada?
Acid deposition is a problem in many parts of Canada since emissions that contribute to acid rain can travel thousands of kilometres from their source. More than half of Canadian geology consists of vulnerable hard rock (i.e., granite) areas that offer poor natural defenses from the damaging effects of acid deposition.
Is acid rain still a problem in 2020?
The quick version: Yes, acid rain is still around, and yes it’s still a problem . ... Rain is naturally slightly acidic, since picks up carbon dioxide in the air, producing carbonic acid. But when it starts absorbing industrial pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, the acidity becomes troublesome.
Why is acid rain a problem in Eastern Canada?
Acid rain is a problem in eastern Canada because many of the water and soil systems in this region lack natural alkalinity – such as a lime base – and therefore cannot neutralize acid naturally . ... Lakes in these areas are as defenseless to acid rain as those in northern Ontario.
What is the dirtiest of the Great Lakes?
Of all of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie had become predominantly polluted by the 1960s, largely due to the heavy industrial presence along its shores. With 11.6 million people living in its basin, and with big cities and sprawling farmland dominating its watershed, Lake Erie is severely impacted by human activities.
What is the cleanest Great lake?
Lake Superior is the largest, cleanest, and wildest of all the Great Lakes.
What is the least polluted Great lake?
Lake Superior has the largest volume of all the Great Lakes. It is the coldest and deepest and because it has a cooler climate and poor soil conditions it is the least polluted.
