Cause of acid rain
Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides dissolve very easily in water and can be carried very far by the wind. As a result, the two compounds can travel long distances where they become part of the rain, sleet, snow, and fog that we experience on certain days.
Human activities are the main cause of acid rain. Over the past few decades, humans have released so many different chemicals into the air that they have changed the mix of gases in the atmosphere. Power plants release the majority of sulfur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity. In addition, the exhaust from cars, trucks, and buses releases nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air. These pollutants cause acid rain.
Acid Rain is Caused by Reactions in the Environment
Nature depends on balance, and although some rain is naturally acidic, with a pH level of around 5.0, human activities have made it worse. Normal precipitation—such as rain, sleet, or snow—reacts with alkaline chemicals, or non-acidic materials, that can be found in air, soils, bedrock, lakes, and streams. These reactions usually neutralize natural acids. However, if precipitation becomes too acidic, these materials may not be able to neutralize all of the acids. Over time, these neutralizing materials can be washed away by acid rain. Damage to crops, trees, lakes, rivers, and animals can result, ( EPA,2019)
Air pollution is a combination of several harmful particles and gases in the air that affect the Ozone layer as the result it lead to the increase of global temperature. The big source of air pollution in Tanzania is industries mostly cement and steel industries, vehicles, human activities like burning of the forests, highly use of charcoals, agricultural activities, Poor waste disposal and mining activities. According to Mrs. Kezia Mbwambo (nd): impacts of air pollution and progress made by the region to reduce air pollution: Biomass burning – fuel wood account for >90% of the energy consumed - indoor air pollution.
However it?s difficult to have actual data of air pollution in Tanzania, due to lack of research and detailed information from the region. Lack of environmental education to most of Tanzanians stimulates the continuation of destructive activities in our environment.
Lack of reliable public transport in major cities like Dar es Salaam is one among the big challenge of air pollution in country. According to David Mfinanga (2012): Challenges and Opportunities for the Integration of Commuter Minibus Operators into the Dar es Salaam City BRT System. The public transport in the city is currently provided by about 5,000 licensed, small capacity and privately owned minibuses commonly known as ?Daladala?, The service offered is generally poor and unsafe, lacking professionalism, efficiency, quality and safety for the commuters. Tanzania does not have vehicle test regulations hence more than 50% of automobiles pollute our environment
Poverty play a great role for air pollution in Tanzania, because majority of the people cannot afford to buy environmentally friendly cookers, instead they use wood for cooking. Last year I had opportunity to visit Maasai village in Arusha Tanzania we discussed several issues about environment within the small smoke hut which is their real home. Even though people fight for the demand of clean air but still they cannot afford to buy environmentally friendly cookers.
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