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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

[The influence of simulated acid rain on acidity and K+ leaching regulation of different soil layers].

The influence of simulated acid rain on acidity and K+ release of different soil layers of red soil from Jiangxi was investigated in the lab when surface soil was mixed with KCl. The results indicated that pH of leaching solution first decreased, then increased in the different soil layers, but pH at the beginning moment of leaching existed prominent differences and pH of leachate of pH 2.5 acid rain in A and AB layers again decreased during subsequent stage. There was a peak value of EC of leachate appearing at the beginning stage, it showed that nutrient ions in soil rapidly moved downwards into lower depth of profile. K+ concentration of effluent solution was related to acidity of acid rain and the pH2.5 value of acid rain accelerated K+ transportation downwards along profile. K+ release of A soil layer was divided into two moments which one was the rapid rate of K+ release process at the moment of beginning and then into the middle rate of release process. As to pH 4.5 value of acid rain, it also existed rapid and slow rate processes.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed2001

Whither acid rain?

Acid rain, the environmental cause célèbre of the 1980s seems to have vanished from popular conscience. By contrast, scientific research, despite funding difficulties, has continued to produce hundreds of research papers each year. Studies of acid rain taught much about precipitation chemistry, the behaviour of snow packs, long-range transport of pollutants and new issues in the biology of fish and forested ecosystems. There is now evidence of a shift away from research in precipitation and sulfur chemistry, but an impressive theoretical base remains as a legacy.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed2001

High-performance ion-exclusion/cation-exchange chromatography of anions and cations in acid rain waters on a weakly acidic cation-exchange resin.

A new method for the simultaneous determination of anions (sulfate, nitrate, and chloride) and cations (sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) in acid rain waters was investigated using high-performance ion-exclusion/cation-exchange chromatography with conductimetric detection on a separation column packed with a polymethacrylate-based weakly acidic cation-exchange resin in the hydrogen-form and an eluent comprising 1.5 mM sulfosalicylic acid-6 mM 18-crown-6 at pH 2.6, operated at 1.5 ml/min. Effective separation and highly sensitive conductimetric detection for the anions and the cations was achieved in about 14 min. Since the ionic balance (equivalents of anions/equivalents of cations) of acid rain waters of different pH (4.40-4.67) ranged from 0.97 to 0.94, evaluation of the water quality of acid rain was possible. This method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of the anions and the cations in acid rain transported from mainland China and North Korea to central Japan monitored by a meteorological satellite data analyzer.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed1987

Acid rain: effects on arachidonic acid metabolism in perfused and ventilated guinea-pig lung.

Isolated, perfused and ventilated guinea-pig lungs were exposed for 10 min to acid (sulphuric + nitric acid) aerosol mimicking acid rain at pH 4.5 or 2.5, as well as to a control distilled water aerosol (pH 6.0-6.5). Lung perfusing solution was recovered and thromboxane (TX) B2 and leukotriene (LT) B4 were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques. In a series of experiments TXB2 release averaged 0.43 +/- 0.18 (+/- SD) ng/min during exposure to distilled water aerosol and increased to 0.70 +/- 0.30 ng/min during exposure to acid aerosol at pH 4.5 (P less than 0.05). In a second series of experiments TXB2 release was 0.46 +/- 0.18 ng/min and increased to 1.07 +/- 0.51 ng/min (P less than 0.01) after acid aerosol at pH 2.5. In both cases LTB4 release, reflecting lipoxygenase activity, was unchanged. LTC4 levels were not measurable under basal conditions as well as after exposure to acid aerosol. A pneumoconstriction was also observed, being more pronounced after acid aerosol at pH 2.5. Individual sulphuric and nitric acid aerosol component solutions at pH 2.5 evoked TXB2 and airway resistance changes corresponding to those observed with the mixed acid aerosol. LTB4 was not modified. Acid rain inhalation may directly stimulate pathways leading to the bronchoconstrictor and pro-aggregating TXA2 synthesis in isolated guinea-pig lung, without affecting the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1986

Industrial ecotoxicology "acid rain".

The acid rain phenomenon was studied in the province of Cordoba, Argentina. This study, based on a previously outlined framework, determined the anthropogenic origin of the low pH due to the presence of industrial hydrochloric acid wastage. This industrial ecotoxicological phenomenon seriously affected the forest wealth, causing a great defoliation of trees and shrubs, with a lower effect on crops. A survey on its effects on human beings has not been carried out, but considering the corrosion caused to different metals and its denouncing biocide effect on plants and animals, we should expect to find some kind of harm to the health of the workers involved or others engaged in farming, and even to those who are far away from the polluting agent.

Acids↗
PubMed2004

Emission control for precursors causing acid rain (V): Improvement of acid soil with the bio-briquette combustion ash.

The bio-briquette technique which mixes coal, biomass and sulfur fixation agent and bio-briquettes under 3-5 t/cm2 line pressure has aroused people's attention in view of controlling the air pollution and the acid rain. In this paper, the physicochemical properties of bio-briquette and its ash were investigated. And the acid soil was improved by the bio-briquette combustion ash, which contained nutritive substances such as P, N, K and had the acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC). The pH, EC, effective nutrient elements (Ca, Mg, K, P and N), heavy metal elements (Al, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn and Mn) and acid-neutralizing capacity change of ash-added soils within the range of 0-10%, were also studied. Specially, when 5% bio-briquette combustion ash was added to the tested soil, the content of the effective elements such as Ca, Mg and K rose by 100 times, 7 times and twice, respectively. The total nitrogen also increased by about twice. The results showed the oxyanions such as that of Al, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn and Mn were not potentially dangerous, because they were about the same as the averages of them in Chinese soil. It is shown that the ANC became stronger, though the ANC hardly increases in the ash-added soil. On the basis of the evaluation indices, it is concluded that the best mixture ratio is to add 2.5%-8% of the bio-briquette combustion ash to the tested soil.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed1985

Effects of simulated acid rain and (+/-)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propanoic acid on selected crops.

The effect of foliar-applicated (+/-)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid (2,4-DP) under simultaneous influence of simulated acid rain at pH levels of 3.3, 4.3, and 5.6 was examined for young plants of white mustard, rape, cress, lettuce, radish, carrot, oat, and barley grown in climate chambers. After 1-2 weeks with daily showers plants received a single foliar application of 2,4-DP in aqueous solution (500 microliter; 0.25-50.0 mg X liter-1). After a post-treatment period of 2-3 weeks with daily showers the plants were sampled. 2,4-DP at 5 mg X liter-1 or higher concentrations caused various symptoms for the dicotyledons. Monocotyledons and carrot remained unaffected. The application of acid rain at pH 3.3 produced morphological changes, increased the symptoms from 2,4-DP, and reduced the dry weight and the leaf to stem ratio. Cress exposed only to acid rain showed necrotic spots and chlorosis at pH 3.3. By decreasing pH taller plants with smaller leaves were observed. The combined effect of acid rain and 2,4-DP was additive rather than synergistic.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed1996

Acid rain in Laos and Thailand.

Acid rain has an impact on forestry and human health. Forest degradation was noticed in the early 90's in Laos, a country without polluting industries nor intense automobile traffic. Therefore, in 1993-1994, we collected rain in one location in Thailand (Bangkok) and 4 in Laos (Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Savannaketh, Pakse); measured pH in each sample and resistivity in 2 locations. We obtained sequential meteorological satellite pictures showing the far motion of clouds, their location and course, and ultimately rain over Indochina. We conclude that acid rain forms over Thailand and falls in Laos (Vientiane, Pakse). We also measured peak flows in large groups of children, adults both non-smokers and chronic heavy smokers, in all five locations. Except for a small number of individual variations, we could not correlate the presence of acid rain and deterioration of pulmonary function in these subjects. However, we recommend active measures to curb pollution both in Thailand and Laos.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed2000

Simultaneous ion-exclusion/cation-exchange chromatography of anions and cations in acid rain waters on a weakly acidic cation-exchange resin by elution with sulfosalicylic acid.

A simple, selective, and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of anions (sulfate, nitrate, and chloride) and cations (sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) in acid rain waters was developed using ion-exclusion/ cation-exchange chromatography with conductimetric detection. A weakly acidic cation-exchange resin column (Tosho TSKgel OA-PAK-A) and a sulfosalicylic acid-methanol-water eluent was used. With a mobile phase comprising 1.25 mM sulfosalicylic acid in methanol-water (7.5:92.5) at 1.2 ml/min, simultaneous separation and detection of the above anions and cations was achieved in about 30 min. Linear calibration plots of peak area versus concentration were obtained over the concentration ranges 0-1.0 mM for anions (R=0.9991) and 0-0.5 mM for cations (R=0.9994). Detection limits calculated at S/N=3 ranged from 4.2 to 14.8 ppb for the anions and from 2.4 to 12.1 ppb for the cations. The reproducibility of retention times was 0.14-0.15% relative standard deviation (RSD) for anions and 0.18-0.31% for cations, and reproducibility of chromatographic peak areas was 1.22-1.75% RSD for anions and 1.81-2.10% for cations. The method was applied successfully to the simultaneous determination of anions and cations in aerosols transported from mainland China to central Japan, as determined by a meteorological satellite data analyzer.

Anions↗
PubMed2001

Application of a LRT model to acid rain control in China.

For further control of acid rain and SO2 pollution in China, acid rain control zones and sulfur dioxide pollution control zones were designated where acid rain or serious SO2 pollution occurs or may occur. In this study, sulfur deposition in east China was computed through a policy-oriented, two-dimensional Eulerian model for long-range transport and deposition of SO2 and SO4(2-). The model predictions were in accordance with the wet deposition monitored. Results show that concentrations of SO2 and SO4(2-) are higher in north China than those in the south, and high deposition of sulfur occurs in most areas of North China, in the lower reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River and around Chongqing and Guiyang in southwest China. Total emission of SO2 from the modeling region (from 19 degrees N to 42 degrees N, and from 104 degrees E to 124 degrees E) was about 20 million tons in 1995. The model predicts that 48% of this deposits within the region as dry deposition, 38% deposits as wet deposition, and only about 14% was transported out of the region. The modeling results of sulfur deposition were directly applied in designating acid rain control zones in China, and the emission-deposition relationship derived was also used to formulate middle- and long-range planning programs for regional acid rain control in China.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed2006

Arabidopsis leaf necrosis caused by simulated acid rain is related to the salicylic acid signaling pathway.

Arabidopsis leaves treated with simulated acid rain (SiAR) showed phenotypes similar to necrotic lesions caused by biotic stresses like Pseudomonad infiltration. Exposure of Arabidopsis to SiAR resulted in the up-regulation of genes known to be induced by the salicylic acid (SA)-mediated pathogen resistance response. The expression of enhanced disease susceptibility (EDS), nonexpressor of PR (NPR) and pathogen-related 1 (PR1), all of which are involved in the salicylic acid signaling pathway, were increased after SiAR exposure. However, vegetative storage protein (VSP), a member of the jasmonic acid pathway did not show a significant change in transcript level. SiAR treatment of transgenic plants expressing salicylate hydroxylase (Nah-G), which prevents the accumulation of salicylic acid, underwent more extensive necrosis than wild-type plants, indicating that the signaling pathway activated by SiAR may overlap with the SA-dependent, systemic acquired resistance pathway. Both Col-0 and Nah-G plants showed sensitivity to SiAR and sulfuric SiAR (S-SiAR) by developing necrotic lesions. Neither Col-0 plants nor Nah-G plants showed sensitivity to nitric SiAR (N-SiAR). These results suggest that SiAR activates at least the salicylic acid pathway and activation of this pathway is sensitive to sulfuric acid.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed1988

Modeling estimates of the effect of acid rain on background radiation dose.

Acid rain causes accelerated mobilization of many materials in soils. Natural and anthropogenic radionuclides, especially 226Ra and 137Cs, are among these materials. Okamoto is apparently the only researcher to date who has attempted to quantify the effect of acid rain on the "background" radiation dose to man. He estimated an increase in dose by a factor of 1.3 following a decrease in soil pH of 1 unit. We reviewed literature that described the effects of changes in pH on mobility and plant uptake of Ra and Cs. Generally, a decrease in soil pH by 1 unit will increase mobility and plant uptake by factors of 2 to 7. Thus, Okamoto's dose estimate may be too low. We applied several simulation models to confirm Okamoto's ideas, with most emphasis on an atmospherically driven soil model that predicts water and nuclide flow through a soil profile. We modeled a typical, acid-rain sensitive soil using meteorological data from Geraldton, Ontario. The results, within the range of effects on the soil expected from acidification, showed essentially direct proportionality between the mobility of the nuclides and dose. This supports some of the assumptions invoked by Okamoto. We conclude that a decrease in pH of 1 unit may increase the mobility of Ra and Cs by a factor of 2 or more. Our models predict that this will lead to similar increases in plant uptake and radiological dose to man. Although health effects following such a small increase in dose have not been statistically demonstrated, any increase in dose is probably undesirable.

Background Radiation↗
PubMed2005

[Response of POD and CAT during seeds of rice, wheat and rape germination on acid rain stress].

The effects of simulated acid rain (pH 2.5 - 5.0) on the activities of POD and CAT were investigated during germination of rice (O. sativa), wheat (T. aestivum) and rape (B. chinensis var. oleifera) seeds. Compared with the control (CK), the amplitude of the change in the activity of CAT and POD is that rice (28.8%, 31.7%) < wheat (34.7%, 48.3%) < rape (79.3%, 50.0%), respectively. The pH significantly different (p < 0.05) from CK follows the order: rice (3.5) > wheat (4.0) > rape (5.0). All of these revealed that the ability of resisting acid rain stress is that rice is stronger than wheat and rape is the worst. Under the same condition, the amplitude of the change in the activity of CAT is more sensitivity toward acid rain stress than that of POD. The difference in free radicals removed by these 3 species is one of the reasons why the germinating indexes behaved differently.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed2005

[Effects of simulated acid rain on physiological and biochemical characters of eggplant, the host plant of Tetranychus cinnabarinus].

In a series of laboratory trials, this paper studied the responses of eggplant (Solanum melongena), the host plant of carmine spider mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus, to different pH values simulated acid rain. The results showed that with the increasing acidity of simulated acid rain, the CAT activity and the contents of P and soluble protein in egg plant leaves increased significantly first, reaching the highest at pH 4.0 or 3.0, and then decreased; while the POD activity and soluble sugar content were in adverse. The reduced sugar content and SOD activity of eggplant leaves increased, but the pH value decreased with increasing acidity of acid rain. Acid rain had no effect on leaf water content. Among the test indices, leaf POD was most insensitive to the acid rain, followed by leaf pH, SOD and CAT, while the others were very sensitive. Weak acid rain (pH > 4.0) promoted the protective ability of eggplant leaf and its growth, and the growth of T. cinnabarinus was also promoted because of the changed contents of soluble sugar, P and soluble protein in eggplant leaves being more favorable to its eating; while strong acid rain (pH < 3.0) inhibited the growth of both host plant and mite.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed2005

A fresh look at the benefits and costs of the US acid rain program.

The US Acid Rain Program (Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments) has achieved substantial reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from power plants in the United States. We compare new estimates of the benefits and costs of Title IV to those made in 1990. Important changes in our understanding of and ability to quantify the benefits of Title IV have occurred. Benefits to human health now take a much higher profile because the contribution of SO2 and NOx emissions to the formation of fine particulate (PM2.5) is substantial, and evidence of the harmful human health effects of PM2.5 has emerged in the last 15 years. New estimates of the health benefits of PM2.5 reductions are the largest category of quantified health and environmental benefits and total over 100 billion US dollars annually for 2010 when the program is expected to be fully implemented. Although important uncertainties exist in any specific estimate of the benefits, even if the estimates were calculated using more limiting assumptions and interpretations of the literature they would still substantially exceed the costs. Estimates of annualized costs for 2010 are about 3 billion US dollars, which is less than half of what was estimated in 1990. Research since 1990 also suggests that environmental problems associated with acid deposition and nitrogen deposition are more challenging to resolve than originally thought and will require larger reductions in emissions to reverse. The greater than expected benefits to human health, the greater vulnerability of natural resources and ecosystems, and the lower than expected costs all point to the conclusion that further reductions in SO2 and NOx emissions from power plants beyond those currently required by Title IV are warranted.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed2005

Effects of simulated acid rain on fertility of litchi.

The regulatory role of calcium in fertility of pollen and pistil under simulated acid rain was investigated. The germination percentage of pollen treated with acid rain of pH 4.5 was 9.42% lower than that of control, and that of pH 3.5, pH 2.5 and pH 1.5 were 22.47%, 45.49% and 71.62%, respectively. Simultaneously, the injury character of pollen was obviously observed when flowers were treated with acid rain of pH 3.5. The difference in fruit setting rate between the female flower treated with acid rain of pH 4.0 and the control was significant at p < 0.05. Ca(NO3)2 of 0.2-0.4 mmol/L could promote pollen germination under the stress of acid rain. The beneficial function was reduced when calcium concentration surpassed 0.8 mmol/L. Spraying 2 mmol/L Ca(NO3)2 reduced the injury of acid rain to pistil and increased fruit-setting rate significantly. The physiological importance of calcium during pollen germination and pistil development was also discussed.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed1990

Effect of simulated acid rain on quantity of epiphytic microfungi on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles.

The effects of simulated acid rain on the phyllosphere microflora of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were studied experimentally in northern Finland during the summer of 1988. Trees were irrigated with artificial acid rain of pH4 and pH3 (H(2)SO(4) and HNO(3), weight ratio of S:N=2.86:1). Untreated trees and trees irrigated with spring water (pH6) were used as controls. Two sampling heights (0.5m and 2m) were used. The needles were colonized exclusively by epiphytic fungi, mainly Aureobasidium pullulans (de Bary) Arnaud. The lower branches had significantly more epiphytic fungi than the upper branches. Compared to the control trees, the numbers of epiphytic fungi were significantly decreased on the needles of trees irrigated with acid rain. Acid rain affected the number of epiphytic fungi equally at both sampling heights. The species composition of the epiphytic fungi was not affected by the acid treatments.

Journal Article↗