Pollution Management Strategies for Acid Deposition (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS)): Revision Note

Pollution Management Strategies for Acid Deposition

• Acid deposition requires effective pollution management strategies to mitigate its harmful effects on the environment and human health

  • These strategies involve altering human activities, regulating pollutant release, and implementing clean-up and restoration measures

Altering Human Activity

• Reducing the consumption of fossil fuels is a key strategy to minimise acid deposition

  • Encouraging the use of alternative energy sources, such as renewable energy, can significantly reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen

• International agreements and national governments play a vital role in promoting sustainable practices, supporting the development of clean technologies, and lobbying for emission reduction

Regulating and Monitoring Pollutant Release

• Government regulations and monitoring systems are essential to control and reduce the release of pollutants that contribute to acid deposition

  • Coal-burning power plants and vehicles are major sources of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions

  • Installing pollution control devices such as scrubbers and catalytic converters can effectively remove these pollutants from emissions

Clean-up and Restoration Measures

• In areas heavily affected by acid deposition, clean-up and restoration measures may be implemented to mitigate the damage caused

  • For example, spreading ground limestone or lime in acidified lakes and rivers can neutralise acidity and restore the water's pH balance

• Restoring damaged ecosystems can also be achieved through recolonisation efforts, such as planting acid-tolerant vegetation

  • This can help to restore some measure of ecological balance to these damaged ecosystems

Limitations

• While clean-up and restoration measures have shown some success, their scope is limited

  • Applying ground limestone or recolonising ecosystems can be extremely expensive and logistically challenging, making it difficult to address acid deposition on a large scale

  • Prevention through emission reduction is more effective and sustainable in the long term

• Implementing these pollution management strategies for acid deposition requires a combination of international cooperation, national regulations, technological advancements, and public awareness

• By reducing the emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, and implementing measures to restore affected ecosystems, the adverse effects of acid deposition can be minimised