Introduction
Why are the trees dying? How come there are no fish in the lake? Why does
the paint on my Dad's car look so bad? Where does that terrible rotten egg
smell come from in our school yard every Spring? The answer to these
questions is simple; acid rain is responsible for many of the serious
environmental problems facing us today. While the answer may be simple,
solving the acid rain problem is not.
The Task
A local citizens' group has hired you to investigate acid rain. You will
take on the role of a Chemist,Ecologist, Health Scientist, and Economist and
examine the issue from that perspective. Your task is to create a report
detailing the problems caused by acid rain and recommend ways that these
problems can be alleviated.
Use the questions appearing under each role to assist you in your research.
While you are researching, look for solutions to the problems caused by acid
rain. The final section of your report, you will also be responsible for
drawing up a series of recommendations on how to combat this serious issue.
CHEMIST
What is acid rain?
What chemicals make rain acidic, and how does it happen?
Where do these chemicals come from?
How do we measure the acidity of rain and what is pH?
What is the pH of normal rain, and at what level does the pH become
dangerous?
What can power stations and industry do to reduce acid rain?
What can we do to reduce acid rain?
BIOLOGIST
What effect does acid rain have on trees and soil?
How does the effect of acid rain on trees and soil affect us?
What happens when lakes and aquatic systems become acidic?
How does acidic water systems affect us?
Are the aquatic systems in our area being affected by acid rain? If yes, to
what extent?
What are the danger signs of the effect of acid rain on aquatic systems?
HEALTH SCIENTIST
How does acid rain affect humans?
What are some of the direct effects of acid rain on humans? Are there any
health problems associated with acid rain?
What are some of the indirect effects of acid rain on humans? Does acid rain
affect our sources of food, water, and air.
What are the consequences of the effects of acid rain on people?
ECONOMIST
Does acid rain affect buildings?
What does acid rain do to our roads, highways, and bridges?
What is the effect of acid rain on things made from metal such as cars,
trains, buses, and other means of transport?
What does the effect of acid rain cost us in terms of money?
What are the economic consequences of acid rain on fisheries, forestry, and
agriculture?
While you are researching your particular area of concern, look for
solutions to the problems caused by acid rain.
Internet Links
http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/msc/as/as_acid.html
http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/eae/
http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/
http://www.ec.gc.ca/acidrain/
http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/acid_rain.html?
Other Resources