Acid Deposition, Climate Change, and Energy Production: An Environmental Overview
– Acid Deposition
Acid deposition refers to acid coming down from the air to the ground, usually in the form of rain (or snow). This is known as wet deposition. Dry deposition comes from ash or particles.
Acids are chemicals that can donate a hydrogen atom. They are measured by the pH scale. Solutions with a pH below 7 are acidic, while solutions with a pH above 7 are alkaline.
Normal unpolluted rain is slightly acidic with a pH of 5.6, but pollutants can lower it to as low as 2 pH.
Air Pollutants
Air pollutants can be divided into two categories:
Primary Pollutants
These are emitted directly from sources, such as factory chimneys or car exhaust pipes. They can react with the atmosphere to cause secondary pollutants. The main primary pollutants that lead to acid deposition are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with water to form acids.
Secondary Pollutants
These are formed when primary pollutants react with other molecules, leading to further pollution. For example, sulfur dioxide mixes with water in the atmosphere to create sulfuric acid. Tropospheric ozone is another example.
Photochemical Smog
Secondary pollutants create smog, a mixture of primary and secondary pollutants of which tropospheric ozone is the main component. Smog damages plants and causes illnesses. It can be reduced by:
- Reducing fossil fuel consumption (walking, cycling)
- Regulating consumption (taxes, catalytic converters)
- Adopting cleanup measures (reforestation, regreening, conserving areas to sequester carbon dioxide)
Pollutant Sources
The combustion of fossil fuels in industries, cars, and other entities that burn coal, oil, and gas for energy is a major source of pollutants.
If primary pollutants remain in the atmosphere for extended periods, numerous secondary pollutants can form. However, some are soluble in water, meaning they are removed by rain (precipitation).
Acid deposition became a concern in the 1970s when trees of all ages in a German forest showed signs of damage.
Effects of Acid Deposition
Direct Effects
- Acid falling on lakes, lowering their pH, and impacting aquatic organisms
- Weakening tree growth
Indirect Effects
- Leaching of nutrients in soil
- Increased solubility of metals such as aluminum, which is toxic to fish
Climate Change and Energy Production
Energy Security
Energy security means having stable access to energy sources that are timely, sustainable, and affordable.
Energy and Energy Resources
Energy is the capacity to do work and is essential for life processes. An energy resource is anything that can produce heat, power life, move objects, or generate electricity.
Fossil Fuels vs. Green Energy (Efficiency)
Fossil fuels create pollution and contribute to climate change. Green energy sources like solar and wind are becoming more efficient and don’t produce pollution. They are better for the environment and can be more sustainable in the long run.
Renewable Energy
- Wind
- Hydropower
- Solar power
- Biomass (wood, dung)
- Tidal wave (ocean currents)
- Geothermal
Non-renewable Energy
- Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
- Nuclear power
– Climate Change: Causes and Impacts
Climate vs. Weather
Climate describes how the atmosphere behaves over a long period in a regional area. It’s related to precipitation and solar radiation.
Weather describes the atmospheric conditions over a short period in a specific location. It’s related to precipitation and temperature. Both climate and weather are impacted by the ocean, which absorbs and moves heat.
Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect makes Earth habitable by keeping it warm. Earth is surrounded by the atmosphere. The sun shines (UV radiation, short wavelengths) through the atmosphere, heating the Earth’s surface. The Earth then radiates heat energy back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation (long wavelengths). Certain gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor (H2O), trap some of this heat energy, preventing it from escaping into space. This trapped heat keeps the Earth’s surface warmer than it would be otherwise, creating a stable and habitable climate.
Greenhouse Gases
- Water vapor
- Carbon dioxide (from fossil fuels)
- Methane (from cattle)
- Ozone (from smog)
- CFCs (from aerosols and air conditioning)
Emission of Greenhouse Gases
The emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, increases their concentration in the atmosphere, causing the Earth to trap more heat.
Global Warming Potential
Global warming potential (GWP) measures how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over a specific period compared to carbon dioxide, which is used as a reference. Some gases cause more warming than others.
Human Activities Releasing Greenhouse Gases
- Burning fossil fuels (CO2)
- Deforestation (CO2)
- Cement use (CO2)
- Cattle farming (methane)
- Fertilizers and air conditioning (CFCs)
An Inconvenient Truth
Climate change is a political issue. Leaders are often in power for short periods and may not prioritize solving long-term problems. Addressing climate change can create economic opportunities and jobs, such as in renewable energy sectors. Citizens have the power to vote for politicians who prioritize environmental protection.
Global Dimming
Global dimming occurs when less sunlight reaches the Earth’s surface due to aerosol particles in the atmosphere, which absorb sunlight before it reaches the surface. These particles can come from human activities or natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions. Global dimming can lead to cooler surface temperatures by reducing the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the Earth’s surface. However, it can also disrupt precipitation patterns, affect cloud formation, and influence regional climate conditions.
Global Swindle
Global swindle is a term used to describe the perception that information about climate change is being manipulated or misrepresented to serve certain interests. It suggests a deliberate effort to deceive the public about the reality and severity of climate change for political or economic gain. This term is often associated with conspiracy theories and skepticism about the scientific consensus on climate change.
Climate Modeling
Climate modeling uses mathematical techniques to simulate and predict the behavior of Earth’s climate. It considers the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice to simulate interactions.
Consensus on Global Warming
Yes, 97% of scientists agree that humans are causing global warming and climate change.
Feedback Loops
Positive Feedback Example
When polar ice caps melt due to warming temperatures, they expose darker surfaces like water or land. These darker surfaces absorb more sunlight than the reflective ice, causing even more warming. As warming continues, more ice melts, and the cycle repeats, leading to further warming and ice loss.
Negative Feedback Example
Higher temperatures lead to more evaporation, resulting in more clouds. Clouds can reflect sunlight back to space, lowering temperatures.
Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation
Strategies to Alleviate Climate Change
- Transition to renewable energy
- Sustainable agriculture
- Education and awareness
- Public transportation
Human Population
Measuring Population Changes
Population changes are calculated by subtracting the population in an area at an earlier time from the population at a particular point in time.
LEDCs and MEDCs
MEDCs (More Economically Developed Countries) include the USA, Canada, and Japan. LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries) include Afghanistan, Angola, and Bangladesh.