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Acid rain - case study on Acid rains in Canada
- 1. A Case Study on ACID RAIN 7/16/2018 1
- 2. 7/16/2018 2
- 3. “Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic” - EPA definition – 7/16/2018 3
- 4. 7/16/2018 4
- 5. 7/16/2018 5
- 6. Case Study – Acid Rains in Canada Key Facts on Canada • Size - 9,970,610 km² • Capital - Ottawa • Neighbors - U.S.A and Alaska • Climate - Cool temperate Polar in far north; January (-30 to -5°C), July (10-20°C) • Altitude - 0-3000+m above sea level • Air Quality - Generally good in rural areas but ozone levels may be high during summer months. High emissions of acidic pollutants in large urban areas from industry and transport can lead to poor air quality. 7/16/2018 6
- 7. Affected Areas • Eastern Canada is mostly affected • Because of its thin granitic soil • The sensitive area covers 43% of Canada • Over 4 million km² • Most of the emission sources are also located in the east of the country Ex- Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland 7/16/2018 7
- 8. Acidic Pollutant Emissions • NO₂ Transport and industry 7/16/2018 8
- 9. Acidic Pollutant Emissions • SO₂ Metal ore smelting Fossil fuel power generation 7/16/2018 9
- 10. • Canadian emissions are considerable • But are less than the emissions from countries such as Germany, The UK, The Russian Federation and The United States of America. Canada SO₂ emission= 2.7 million tons (1995) U.S.A emission= 16 million tons (1995) 7/16/2018 10
- 11. NO₂ SO₂ Transportation (59%) Others (41%) Metal Ore Smelting (61%) Fossil Fuel (21%) 7/16/2018 11
- 12. Acidic Pollutant Deposition Acid Rains to Canada Due to Canada (50 %) Due to U.S.A (50%) winds during summer months 7/16/2018 12
- 13. Effects of Acid Deposition 1. Effects on forests 2. Effects on water 3. Effects on buildings 4. Effects on health 7/16/2018 13
- 14. Effects on Forests • Large scale decline in Canadian forests • Leaf browning • Premature leaf fall • Reduction in growth 7/16/2018 14
- 15. Effects on Water • Less pH of lake water • Deaths of fish and other aquatic species pH of acid rain to Canada is less than 3.0 7/16/2018 15
- 16. Effects on Buildings • Accelerate normal weathering effects 7/16/2018 16
- 17. Effects on Health • Decrease in lung function in children Acid aerosols are very tiny particles (less than 2.5 micrometers in size) which can enter the respiratory system and because of their size may filter through natural bodily defenses. • Breathing difficulties 7/16/2018 17
- 18. Control And Policy 1970s - Long-Range Transport of Air Pollutants Programme established to investigate air pollution within and into Canada. 1979 - Canada signed the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) agreement to reduce and prevent long-range transboundary air pollution. 7/16/2018 18
- 19. Control And Policy (Cntd.) 1980s - Extensive research conducted in US and Canada on acid deposition. 1985 - Canada signed the UNECE Helsinki Protocol, agreeing to reduce national annual Sulphur dioxide emissions by at least 30% below 1980 levels by 1993. 7/16/2018 19
- 20. Control And Policy (Cntd.) 1988 - Canada signed the UNECE Sofia Protocol to freeze nitrogen oxide emissions in 1994 at 1987 levels (approx. 2 million tones). 1990 - US Clean Air Act amended to include SO2 and NOx emissions controls. 1991 - Canada / US Air Quality Agreement signed. Mutual obligations for reducing SO2 and NOx. 7/16/2018 20
- 21. Control And Policy (Cntd.) 1994 - Canada signed the UNECE Oslo Protocol. An emissions cap of 1.75 million tones of SO2 established for the main source region in eastern Canada. 7/16/2018 21
- 23. References • Atmosphere, Climate & Environment Information Programme (ARIC), Manchester Metropolitan University. 7/16/2018 23
Editor's Notes
- Some pollutants from Canada are transported to the US but on balance, Canada receives much more pollution than it exports. The import / export of pollutants across the border has therefore made acid rain a serious diplomatic issue between the US and Canada. The problem is compounded by the fact that the states in the US that are most heavily populated and have high air pollution emissions are located south of the sensitive eastern regions of Canada.
- The harsh climatic conditions in Canada cause degradation of materials because of the many freeze-thaw cycles that occur in winter and the high humidity in the summer. Acid deposition adds to this and effects can be seen for example on bronze statues in Montreal. The bronze becomes streaked with brown, black and blue-green surfaces which result from a combination of acid deposition, de-icing salts and corrosive dust. Many historic monuments and buildings are slowly being eroded by acid rain, including the Parliament Buildings.