When transparency causes death
The rain brings us water, the most precious raw material that we need the earthlings. But at the same time, the water that seems transparent can contain unexpected harmful substances.
After World War II, industrial development experienced a chilling speed that caused the emergence of numerous machines and factories that mainly consume fossil fuels. Therefore, in addition to changing ecological systems, living beings have had health problems.
Pollution, in general, has caused different types of problems on Earth. Among other things, the greenhouse effect (produced by carbon dioxide accumulation) can alter water levels and climatology in the next century. When the accumulation of non-recyclable solid waste reaches the upper limit, the rest cannot be assimilated by nature, etc.
Acid rain is due to certain types of pollution, mainly by thermal power plants and vehicles. When they burn fossil fuels, they emit the atmosphere, by chimneys or escapes, among others, sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide. Part of these contaminants evaporates and the other part is carried away by air, combined with water vapor and forming acids. Finally, these acids evaporate with rain.
Although the acid rain has been noted above all in recent decades, hundreds of years ago it was already known. Despite the scarcity of industries still, it was occasionally generated naturally (due to volcanoes, coal and plant corruption). However, the influence of the naturally generated acid rain has been much lower than that caused by pollution.
Between 1950 and 1980 the European rain multiplied by ten the acidity of the earth. Although the degree of acidity has been reduced in recent years, the problem remains serious.
The acid rain has a surprising and painful feature, that is, by moving the acid rain along with the clouds, you can fall hundreds of kilometers from the created area. The chimneys, usually, are very high, so the oxides emitted by them are captured by the mists. These mists move by the action of the winds and from there, the next day, they throw a contaminated rain. Sometimes, the acid rain can fall near the source zone. An example of this is the case of Scotland, where the acid rain generated in England falls.
However, as mentioned above, on many occasions, air pollution is exported. For example, the UK has exported to Scandinavia. Other places affected by acid rain are Africa, South America and South Asia.
So far we have mentioned the characteristics and distribution of acid rain, but what are its consequences?
Later we will expose the effects of the earth, but first we will publish its influence on water.
In aquatic areas are lakes, without lips, which suffer the most serious consequences. The acids released by rain are dragged by streams and rivers. If these waters are poured into the lakes, most local animals and plants do not support acidic water. Consequently, many lakes are affected or dead. Of this they know a lot in Scandinavia, where thousands of lakes have died maintaining transparency. The UK has been responsible for the state of Scandinavian lakes, which exported pollution. Surprisingly, the aforementioned dead lakes maintain their transparency.
On land, forests are the most affected. In some places the trees lose their leaves until they die. Trees require land of specific characteristics. The acid rain alters the composition of soil elements by breaking the previous balance. Trees that grow in acidic soil, in frost or drought, do not have enough defense. Consequently, this weakness only allows them to be lost by attack of viruses, fungi or insects found in forests.
The acid rain can not only attack the soil, but also the leaves directly. Sulfur oxide (IV) closes the small pores of the leaves, preventing the respiration of the plant.
In Europe we have a known forest affected by the acid rain, the German Black Forest.
Neither are the works of art and constructions excluded from this attack. When the acid rain affects the national materials, paintings and constructions, it can damage and even break them.
On the floor there is a long list of damaged works of art; the stone of the walls of the Cathedral of Saint Paul of London is falling; in Poland is oxidizing the gold roof of the Krakow Cathedral; the Taj Mahal of India; the statue of Marco Aurelio, work of Michelangelo in Rome, has been banished from the bitter rain.
As explained at the beginning of this article, pollution can also cause health problems. Inhalation of acid in the air can cause cough, breathing problems, and irritation of eyes, nose, and throat.
Powders, gases, and inhaled particles may contain carcinogenic substances. Black soot particles emitted mainly by diesel engines can cause cancer. In addition, acid rain can transport aluminum to reservoirs, which can cause Alzheimer's disease.
The problems caused by acid rains occur in many places on Earth and Euskal Herria is also not safe. According to the latest data, although in Euskal Herria there is no serious problem, in some areas the influence of acid rain is more evident than in others. At this time, in general, it can be affirmed that coastal vegetation presents a better health than that existing in the interior.
Before finishing this article we will explain what can be done to avoid problems of acid rain.
The first is the control of the pollution by thermal power plants by installing suitable filters in the chimneys.
The second is to reduce the emission of exhaust gases from vehicles. For this purpose, the most appropriate route is that of the catalysts.
The third is the reduction of the use of vehicle particles and the increase in public transport or bicycles.
The fourth, energy savings in homes and workshops, at the same time as the development of alternative energies.
Finally, it is necessary to reinforce the anti-pollution standards.
Zu idazle
Zientzia aldizkaria
