Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => The Environment => Topic started by: neilep on 13/01/2006 04:41:28
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How come we don't hear so much about Acid Rain anymore ? Is it because all the vinegar manufacturers have scooped it all up ? [:D]
...if not...what's the latest ?
If we had an Environmental Forum then I could have asked this there couldn't I ?
Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!
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I think it's starting to get obvious that we have to change the way we do almost everything or we will **** this planet up. I'm getting the impression that we as humanity are selfdestructive and this can not be stopped maybe this is not really optimistic butt America doesn't join the kyoto and actually kyoto isn't enough to save this planet so we are doomed I guess
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as far as i know its still a problem its just not news any more people got bored with it
"Defender of the Sea"
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I thought that with the removal of much of our heavy industry, the problem has substantially alleviated. Anyway, global warming is the fashion of the day, and my understanding was that much of the sulphurous compounds, etc. that made up acid raid actually helped cool the Earth down.
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A good indication of the impact of acids in the environment is the dissolving of brickwork in the cities caused by the emissions from vehicles. Somewhat disconcerting when brickwork is destroyed before our eyes.
Driving through Snake Pass a long long time ago, I noticed huge amounts of trees dying along the roadsides. Working out that this may not have been emissions but road salt, it helped me to understand how the trees are killed by acid rain.
I believe the acid in the rain dissolves the soil minerals much the same as the acids from vehicle emissions dissolve the brickwork of buildings in Cities. This would inevitably alter the soil water density and cause the tree to desiccate. These trees always die from the top down indicating something is wrong with circulation rather than an effect from a toxin.
"The explanation requiring the fewest assumptions is most likely to be correct."
K.I.S. "Keep it simple!"
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I think for a couple reasons Neil. First is that scrubbers for the industrial stacks are relatively cheap and many places are now somewhat removed from acid rain because of it. Secondly I know of some areas where the effects of acid rain have been neutralized over large areas by crushed limestone (Sudbury Ontario Canada is the big one I am thinking about).
But the biggest reason has already been discussed. Another_Someone said that global warming is today's fashion. Then if you look at Wim, here is someone that knows Kyoto Protocol to be a steamy pile of dung yet is still pissed about the states not joining it(I think). So what we get are a bunch of people around that world captivated by this Kyoto Protocol (catchy name isn't it). While watching this they don't look at the real picture, the real problems. It works out great for those at fault.
Therefore we hear little about Acid rain or Save the Rainforests or Anti-Globalization in main stream media. All of which would cost the wealthy few significant amounts of expected profit. The Kyoto however would cost realtively little and even this they delay.
As long as people are captivated by the word Kyoto we will hear little else. This way, rainforests will be chopped at alarming rates, poor nations will be industrialized because of their lack of environmental legislation (acid rain) and shipping lanes will move goods all over the world while dumping oil in the oceans and pumping out tons of pollution. And people will still only be concerned as to whether the states joins Kyoto or not.
Enjoy diversity.
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quote:
Originally posted by The Silurian Prince
This way, rainforests will be chopped at alarming rates, poor nations will be industrialized because of their lack of environmental legislation (acid rain) and shipping lanes will move goods all over the world while dumping oil in the oceans and pumping out tons of pollution.
Glad that you look at the glass as half-full![;)]
Subduction causes orogeny.
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When was the last time we had acid rain?
Laith
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Oh sometimes the truth hurts Bass. Maybe a bit extreme but it is happening. Maybe the dumping oil in oceans sounds extreme but it's a real problem up here in Canada. Ships dump bilge oil in Canadian waters because the fines are cheaper. Hundreds of thousands of dead birds a year. The rainforests and the industrialization of poor countries surely can't be argued, do you think?
We still have acid rain Laith just not as much problems around here. Still a big problem in the developing world.
Enjoy diversity.
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http://www.ec.gc.ca/acidrain/
Laith