Acid rain - A further look at the evidence

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Power Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5222504

Katzenstein, A W

There is widespread belief that acid rain is damaging lakes and forests in eastern North America, and that the threat of further damage is severe enough to warrant prompt remedial action. The cause of acid rain, hence ecological damage, is popularly held to be the sulfur dioxide (SO/sub 2/) and nitrogen oxides (NO/sub x/) created by the combustion of fossil fuels. This popular belief rests on a narrow selection of data, and is not substantiated by the broader body of knowledge which is available. Nevertheless, numerous bills have been introduced in Congress proposing large reductions in SO/sub 2/ emissions. For example, the first bill introduced in 1985 was S.52, ''The Acid Rain Control Act of 1985.'' It calls for reducing SO/sub 2/ emissions by 10 million tons annually. While the language of S.52 and similar bills is not specific on causes and effects of acid rain, the testimony before Congressional committees made it clear that the concerns focus on the actual or potential acidification of lakes and soils by acid rain, and actual or potential impacts of acid rain on fish, other aquatic life, trees, crops, and human health. This article assesses the merits of these contentions about acid rain by examining technical evidence that relates SO/sub 2/ emissions to the acidity of rain to actual or potential environmental impacts.

• OSTI ID: 5222504
• Journal Information: Power Eng.; (United States), Vol. 90:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
EMISSION
PH VALUE
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RAIN
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)