The worldwide destruction of forests indirectly caused by acid rain is contributed to the large concentration of sulfuric acid in the atmosphere. And when it rains, the sulfuric acid forms from the formation of H2SO4 gas and water. The destruction of forests and other organic materials are because of the low pH. Forests are destroyed because of the high pH that destroys the optimal growing conditions for the soils. Detection of sulfuric acid in the atmosphere has always been a difficult process because of the instability of H2SO4 gas until it forms with water. However scientists are now able to isolate these micro-molecules, and thus we can detect and understand the adverse effects of aerosols and other substances that are not quite understood. By understanding these variables responsible for climate predictions, we can then slow global warming.
M Sipilä et al, Science, 2010, DOI: 10.1126/science.1180315
Posted By Michael Tran
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Now that they are more easily able to detect H2SO4 gas, my question is what they are going to be able to do to remove it. Or is it just that we will only be able to prevent more of it from getting into the atmosphere? Hopefully more is discovereded about the issue because I know that acid rain not only affects the rain forest but everywhere else as well.
ReplyDelete-Adam Murray