Acid rain: commentary on controversial issues and observations on the role of fuel burning Page: 10 of 214
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Transport, Transformation, and Deposition
A good understanding of the ways in which precursor pollutants are
transformed into acidic pollutants and deposited so that they contribute to
acidification is also lacking. Sulfur compounds are believed to play an
important role, and they have received the most study. On the other hand,
nitrogen compounds, which can also play an important role, have received
little study. Photochemical reactions and hydrocarbons are known to be
involved. Again, information on where the hydrocarbons come from and how
they participate is unclear. Atmospheric catalysis is also believed to make
important contributions to the formation of acidic components, but the
extent of its role is controversial. Even the manner in which acidic
components are removed from the atmosphere and deposited is not clearly
understood. Given this state of our knowledge, it currently is not
possible, even with our most sophisticated computer simulation models, to
show definitive cause-and-effeet relationships for specific sources of
pollution and the occurrence of acid rain.
Fuel Trends Analysis
An analysis of fuel-use trends provides another insight into the diffi-
culty in defining the cause-and-effeet relationships for acid precipitation.
Two highly significant changes in worldwide fuel consumption patterns have
taken place in the post-World War II period when acid precipitation was
first perceived to be a problem, and during which time we developed our
present perception of the situation. First, the use of coal (whose produc-
tion has, until recently, remained fairly constant for many decades) has
changed dramatically. Its use in locomotives and home heating has been
virtually discontinued, whereas its use by electric utilities has increased
dramatically. Second, the use of petroleum-derived products (principally
motor fuels and liquid fuels for boilers and furnaces) also has increased
greatly. These trends are apparent in varying degrees in different areas of
the industrialized world but are most pronounced in the United States. It
appears that acid precipitation in such industrial areas is primarily
attributable to a multiplicity of sources associated with heavily populated
industrial areas — mostly sources burning fossil-derived fuels. The
logistics and timing of the changes indicate that both coal combustion and
oil burning are contributing to the current levels of acid precipitation in
the northeastern United States.
Further Research
Acid precipitation is a specific manifestation of the pollution result-
ing from our continued industrial growth and our increasing use of fossil
fuels, and all aspects of this problem need further research.
The following are specific areas that need to be addressed:
° Monitoring of acidic precipitation should be continued and
expanded as necessary to reach an accurate definition of the
limits and intensity of acidic precipitation.
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Szabo, M. F.; Esposito, M. P. & Spaite, P. W. Acid rain: commentary on controversial issues and observations on the role of fuel burning, report, March 1, 1982; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1068191/m1/10/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.