Acid Rain History and Impacts Explained
Acid rain history can be traced to the onset of the industrial era, in the mid-eighteenth century; although observations and assessments of acid rain events are relatively recent. Impacts of acid rain include environmental, economic and social impacts.
This article discusses acid rain history and impacts, as outlined below;
Acid Rain History
As earlier mentioned, acid rain history is traceable to the mid-eighteenth century, with the onset of industrialization.
This period, beginning from the 1760s, involved the emission of greenhouse gases, toxins and anhydrides that react with atmospheric precipitation to form acid rain.
Acid rain was discovered in 1852 by the Scottish chemist Robert Angus Smith [2], based on analyses of mineralized water samples from industrial areas in Scotland and England.
Smith is also credited with coining the term; ‘acid rain’ in his 1872 publication titled; The Beginnings of a Chemical Climatology [1].
These discoveries gave early insight into the formation of acid rain, as well as its causes and effects.
Globally, the highest rates and severity of acid rain events occurred in the mid to late twentieth century, after the Second World War, specifically from the 1960s to 1980s.
This can be attributed to a massive upscale in industrial activities within the said period, as well as the high dependence on carbon-intensive energy sources like coal. Since the popularity of climate change as a global problem was yet to rise, efforts to achieve sustainability, mitigate environmental impacts and protect air quality, were very low if at all existent.
The late twentieth century saw acid rain events multiply and intensify significantly in Europe and North America, along with cases of degradation of natural ecosystems like lakes, oceans and forests, by acid rain influx.
Some of the worst acid rain cases ever recorded can be traced to Pennsylvania between 1983 and 1989; where highly-acidic precipitation levels were recorded.
In the twenty-first century, the prominence of environmental issues has raised more awareness with respect to problems like acid rain. While it is still a global challenge, various acid rain solutions have now been identified, and are being implemented to mitigate its impacts.
Impacts of Acid Rain
Impacts of acid rain can be outlined as follows;
-Ecologic Impacts of Acid Rain
1. Loss of vegetation
2. Soil leaching
3. Ocean acidification
4. Biodiversity loss
-Economic Impacts of Acid Rain
5. Infrastructural damage
6. Loss of agricultural productivity
-Social Impacts of Acid Rain
7. Increase in hunger and food insecurity risk
8. Infrastructural damage can increase exposure to pollution and its effects
Conclusion
Acid rain history dates back to the mid-eighteenth century, although it was discovered in 1852 by Robert Angus Smith, and named in an 1872 publication which he released based on his analyses and observations.
Acid rain peaked in severity from the mid to late twentieth century.
Impacts of acid rain are;
1. Loss of vegetation
2. Soil leaching
3. Ocean acidification
4. Biodiversity loss
4. Infrastructural damage
5. Loss of agricultural productivity
6. Increase in hunger and food insecurity risk
7. Exposure to pollution and its effects
They may be categorized broadly into ecologic, economic and environmental effects.
References
1). Angus, S. R. (1872). “Air and rain. The beginnings of a chemical climatology.” Available at: https://archive.org/details/airrainbeginning00smitiala. (Accessed 13 November 2022).
2). Fatima, F. (2021). “A review on acid rain: An environmental threat.” Available at: https://doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2021.100032. (Accessed 13 November 2022).
