How to Prevent Acid Rains

How to Prevent Acid Rains

Acid rains is a form of rain that is caused due to the mixture of acidic substances like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the rain water. When these substances mix with the rain water they form acidic substances that fall on the ground making the soil acidic. It causes a great impact on the flora and fauna, so it should be controlled. Knowing the causes of acid rains you can easily know how to prevent acid rains.

Sometimes acid rains are also caused naturally because of the lightning and volcanic eruptions. When lightning strikes, the nitrogen compounds split, due to the energy produced by the lightning and cause acid rains. During volcanic eruptions sulphur dioxide is released which cause acid rains.
These are many other substances like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s), lead, ozone and many other particulate matters. It is found that the major contributors to acid rains are sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide.
Effects of acid rains:

• Acid rains damage the waxy outer coating of the leaves of trees. This outer coating is very essential for the protection of the leaves from cold. Due to this the trees die.
• Acid rains are also responsible for turning the soil acidic. This acidic soil retards the growth of trees and takes out essential nutrients from the soil. These acid rains leave aluminum in the soil that is harmful for the leaves.
• Many toxic products released in the atmosphere damage the forests, soil and water.
• It results into many health problems in human beings. These heath problems may be related to retardation in growth, headache, fever, etc.
• These acid rains also leave black and yellow patches on the buildings, monuments, statues and sculptures. The famous monument which is one of the wonders of the world “Taj Mahal” of Agra in India is affected by these acid rains. This pure white monument built with white marble is turning yellow due to these acid rains.

How to prevent acid rains:
Acid rains are a global issue because these pollutants travel through air. Release of such pollutants in any country can be damage to other countries also, so we need to prevent these acid rains as early as possible. Here are few simple steps that will help you prevent acid rains.

• The first thing you need to do to control acid rains is control the pollution. Use various alternatives for combustion that will limit the emission of pollutants.
• Cut down the use of coal, wood and natural gas. These products in combustion release a large amount of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide that can cause acid rains.
• Try to reduce the emissions from mining, generating electricity and smelting while production of energy. Use other alternatives such as tidal and solar energy for generating energy. These are renewable sources of energy and are pollution free.
• Reduce the use electrical appliances. During the generation of electricity from coal and nuclear sources large amount of pollutants are released in the atmosphere, so reduce their use. Switch off the lights, fans and all the electrical appliances when not in use.
• Make use of fluorescent lamps or lights in your house. Try to look for energy-efficient appliances in the market.
• Refrigerators, air-conditioners and other aerosols contain chlorofluorocarbons. These CFC’s are also responsible for acid rains, so try to use other alternatives instead of these. Use a single fan in each room, look for proper ventilation in our house, etc.
• Recycle and reuse things. Disposing of waste materials that cannot be decomposed is responsible for releasing many pollutants that can cause acid rains. The polymer chain in the plastic cannot be broken easily when we dispose it unlike other materials, so recycling it and reusing it is the only solution to reduce pollution caused from it.
• Reduce the emission of pollutants from vehicles. Take your vehicles to the service center at least once in every fifteen days. Check the level of pollutants emitted by your vehicles and try to reduce the emissions. Upgrade your vehicles with pollution controlling accessories.
• Plant trees and cut down cutting of trees. Trees are very essential, because they are the only living things that help us in giving a pollution free environment by inhaling carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen in the atmosphere.
• Reduce industrialization. Industries release a large amount of pollutants in the atmosphere in the form of smoke and soot. These pollutants contain molecules of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and lots of particulate pollutants that are released in the atmosphere.
• Industries should get the permit of carbon credit that gives the permission for tons of carbon that can be emitted by the industry. Such carbon trading programs should be actively followed by developing as well as developed countries.
• Reduce nuclear emissions by reducing nuclear activities such as explosion of nuclear atoms for electricity generation and in other industries.

All these suggestions contribute a lot in reducing the pollutants in the atmosphere and will definitely prevent acid rains.