Previous Studies of Acid Rain in Lewistown, Pennsylvania - Essay Example

Acid Rain Part 3 Previous studies of acid rain in Lewistown, Pennsylvania Firms and industries have expressed interest in the subject of acid rainfall that has been prevalent in the region of Pennsylvania, particularly in Lewistown. Special legislative caucuses arose to investigate and address the problem of acid rainfall experienced in this region over many years (Park, 2013). A research conducted on March 16, 2012 dubbed, "Caucus to Study Acid Rain Problem in Pennsylvania", laid specific focus on the acid rain situation in Lewistown, Pennsylvania (Hall & Klitgaard, 2012). The main purpose of the research study was to promote awareness of environmental conservation and find ways in which the acid rain experience was affecting the economy as a whole. The research came up with observations and recommendations pertaining to the stated challenge. It proposed that the major causes of acidic precipitation experienced in the region were the emissions that contained traces of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur. Hall and Klitgaard (2012) agreed to the fact that the environment suffered a great danger because of the acidic precipitation. The research also observed that the amount of acidic rainfall would reduce if the emissions that contained the acidic compounds underwent regulation. The particular study, conducted by Broujos, also noted policies undergoing adoption in States located on the eastern side of the Mississippi river (Hall & Klitgaard, 2012). The policies advocated the reduction of emissions of sulfur dioxide gas into the atmosphere by industrial plants. A local website, Philly.com, proclaimed a large part of Pennsylvania experienced acidic rainfall, which led to the damaging of buildings, lakes and streams. Complementing the study conducted by the Environmental Defense Fund, the acid rain attributed to emissions majorly from steel and power plants. A contrary opinion also arose from the fact that the acid rainfall existed because of emissions from homes and other home-based activities according to Pabian et al (2012). The studies also went further to illustrate and explain the chemical reactions and conditions that made the acid rainfall occur. The study explained that the nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions resulting from industrial coal burning and other emissions that arise from electric plants combine with atmospheric vapor forming nitric and sulfuric acids. The study also noted the fact that the acid rain has major impacts on aquatic life, vegetation and monuments or stone buildings (Pabian et al, 2012). Awareness of the local authorities on the extent and effect of acid rainfall in Lewistown Pennsylvania I contacted the local agencies during my analysis and survey of the coverage of the impact of acid rain in Pennsylvania to verify whether they were aware of the situation in the region. I was impressed to discover that there had been a task force in place. It dealt with the study and recommending suitable ways in which the region would adopt to make the situation reduce in its magnitude. The local agencies that were keen on the issue and were spearheading and financing the whole operation were the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania State University (Hall & Klitgaard, 2012). There was also a bill tabled in the house of congress about the alarming magnitude of the acidic rainfall experienced in the region. However, before the tabling process, major resistance existed for the coal-mining industries and organizations and the existing electric utilities. Companies that contribute towards acid rain in Pennsylvania Various companies are located in Pennsylvania that contributes to the large and toxic the gas emissions and amounts of acid rainfall experienced in the region. The region consists of many power stations that fall into three industrial categories. These categories are Hydroelectric power stations Nuclear Power Stations Wind power stations Hydroelectric power stations Companies that produce hydroelectric power in the region are York Haven Dam Seneca Pumped Storage Generating Station Safe Harbor Dam Outwood Dam Nuclear Power Stations Power stations producing nuclear power include Beaver Valley Nuclear Generating Station, Limerick Nuclear Power Plant Susquehanna Steam Electronic Station Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station Peach Bottom Nuclear Generating Station There also exist wind power stations, but they are majorly no associated with any poisonous emissions to the atmosphere as the former. There are also many coal-mining industries in the region. These companies include Garman's Coal and Mulch Products Hegins Mining Company Cumberland Coal Resources LP Camelot Coal Company. Many other companies exist, but I have managed to select a few of the existing and operational companies found in Pennsylvania (Park, 2013). Effects of acid rain on the environment Acid rain has had a huge influence on the environment. The most prevalent effect is the loss of aquatic and marine life in the streams and lakes that are sensitive to acid. Park (2013) reasoned that fish and other aquatic living organisms have lost their lives since their natural adaptation does not support existence in acidic environments. According to Pabian et al (2012), the streams and lakes are affected in two ways by the acidic rainfall. They are either episodic or chronic. Episodic refers to the abrupt and sudden acidification of the stream or lake waters because of sudden heavy rainfall; the water chemistry shifted. It gives rise to elements such as aluminum, which are toxic to fish (Pabian et al, 2012). Chronic acidification arises from a prolonged duration of experience of acidic rainfall in a certain region (Pabian et al, 2012). Moreover, subtle effects of acid rainfall are seen in forests. Soils and forest vegetation are always influenced by acid rainfall. The natural defenses of trees undergo weakening hence increasing their vulnerabilities to various diseases. Magnesium and calcium became absent from soils. The acid rain may also stimulate a reaction with aluminum, a component found in soils facilitating absorption as a nutrient by the trees (Pabian et al, 2012). Summary of each research The researches and studies conducted revealed various important elements of the situation of acid rain in Pennsylvania. The first research went ahead to identify the various causative agents of the acid rainfall stating that they were the nitrogen and sulfur dioxide emissions from the coal and power plants (Hall & Klitgaard, 2012). The second research described the chemical process that leads to the acidification of rainfall and the reactions that occur once the rain interacts with the environment (Pabian et al, 2012) Examination of the original hypothesis The original hypothesis of this particular study was, "The rain experienced in Lewistown Pennsylvania is highly acidic rainfall." The findings of this report support the hypothesis since the majority number of companies emitting sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide gas into the atmosphere found in this region. The chemical processes take place that contribute to the acidic rainfall. The referenced previous studies used in the research all align to the fact that Lewistown, Pennsylvania receives the highest acidic rainfall content in the country. Conclusion Industries contribute to the strength of an economy. However, their efforts to maintain a country as an industrial superpower can yield no fruits if it does not conserve and protect the environment. Acid rainfall has caused a lot of harm to Pennsylvania, a situation that has been of global concern. Power plants and the coal mining industries need to come up with better policies on how to control and manage the sulfurous and nitrogen emissions into the atmosphere (Pabian et al, 2012) References Read More