Man Made Natural Disaster: Acid Rain

Ozone depletion, greenhouse effect, and acid rain are man-made disasters. The ozone layer is the part of the Earth's atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). The cause of ozone depletion is the presence of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and related halocarbons gases in the atmosphere. In the presence of Ultraviolet light, these gases dissociate, releasing chlorine atoms, which then go on to catalyze ozone destruction. The greenhouse effect, on the other hand, is a natural warming process of the earth. When the sun's energy reaches the earth some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed. The absorbed energy warms the earth's surface which then emits heat energy back toward space as longwave radiation. This outgoing longwave radiation is partially trapped by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), which then radiate the energy in all directions, warming the earth's surface and atmosphere. Acid rain, or acid precipitation, another man made disaster, occurs when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into the atmosphere, undergo chemical transformations and are absorbed by water droplets in clouds. The term "acid rain" is used more generally to include all forms of acid deposition. That Acid rain is one of the most dangerous man-made disasters which forms environmental threats is a fact that makes each individual concerns about its stages, causes and effects. The first stage of acid rain formation is produced when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into the atmosphere. These fumes are produced by two different sources. The first source is called natural phenomenon which includes forests' fires and volcanoes. When volcanoes erupt they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen compounds. These can create what is called natural acid rain. Natural acid rain is as destructive as industrial created acid rain, but less common. The second source is called man-made fumes, or

References: "Man Made Natural Disasters", M, Lioy, November, 26, 2006. Lecture "What is Acid Rain and What Causes it?", August, 6, 2002. Retrieved on November 3, 2004 from: http://www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/acid_rain.shtml "Acid Rain Retirement Fund Solution", Retrieved on November 3, 2004 from http://www.usm.maine.edu/~pos/anew.htm