Air pollution affects the United States negatively on a myriad of levels, and the environment is a major one. Harm to the environment due to air pollution largely results from acid deposition. Another result is from mercury deposition. Finally, the impact of air pollution on plants is deleterious to the environment of the United States. Overall, air pollution in the United States is detrimental to our surroundings and conditions.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acid Rain website, an agency of the United States federal government, “Acidic conditions develop when [sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides] react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds.” The same website also …show more content…
Mitchell, a volunteer of NPS, “Persistent toxic pollutants, such as mercury, are of particular concern because of their global mobility and ability to accumulate in the food chain.” The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federally owned corporation, also states that “Once released into the environment, the cycling of mercury is very complex and not well understood…Mercury is a heavy metal but can be vaporized easily. As such, it can re-enter the atmosphere from land and water surfaces repeatedly after its initial release into the environment.” Therefore, mercury remains in the air for decades, contributing to already existent chemicals in the air. The TVA also states that, “Methyl mercury may enter the aquatic food chain and work its way up to the larger fish, which eventually may be consumed by humans and other animals.” Methyl mercury is described as mercury that has been converted from its inorganic state into biologically-available methyl mercury by microorganisms in the water once in an aquatic ecosystem. …show more content…
According to the EPA Acid Rain website, “Acid rain causes acidification of lakes, streams, and sensitive forest soils and can damage trees and other plants. The presence of sulfur on and in the soil and water releases aluminum, making it available to plants, soil microbes, fish and other organisms. Acid particles also alter the nutrient make-up of forest soils.” The same website states that, “Acidic water flows over and through the ground, affecting soil and water chemistry and a variety of plants and animals.” Acidified soil can cause, “…impairment of plant growth and development because nutrients that would otherwise be available to plants are diminished.” (EPA) According to the US Forest Service Ozone Biomonitoring website, “Ground-level ozone…interferes with the ability of plants to produce and store food, which makes them more susceptible to disease, insects, other pollutants, and harsh weather.” This article deals with the Shenandoah Park in Virginia. It states that, “Plants that are reliable indicators of phytotoxic (i.e., harmful) levels of pollutants are known as bioindicators. Examples of bioindicators for ozone include black cherry, blackberry, common milkweed and yellow-poplar. Forty ozone sensitive plant species have been identified at Shenandoah.” John F. Mitchell, for the NPS writes, “In crop production, the misapplication of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides can
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acid Rain website, an agency of the United States federal government, “Acidic conditions develop when [sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides] react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds.” The same website also …show more content…
Mitchell, a volunteer of NPS, “Persistent toxic pollutants, such as mercury, are of particular concern because of their global mobility and ability to accumulate in the food chain.” The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federally owned corporation, also states that “Once released into the environment, the cycling of mercury is very complex and not well understood…Mercury is a heavy metal but can be vaporized easily. As such, it can re-enter the atmosphere from land and water surfaces repeatedly after its initial release into the environment.” Therefore, mercury remains in the air for decades, contributing to already existent chemicals in the air. The TVA also states that, “Methyl mercury may enter the aquatic food chain and work its way up to the larger fish, which eventually may be consumed by humans and other animals.” Methyl mercury is described as mercury that has been converted from its inorganic state into biologically-available methyl mercury by microorganisms in the water once in an aquatic ecosystem. …show more content…
According to the EPA Acid Rain website, “Acid rain causes acidification of lakes, streams, and sensitive forest soils and can damage trees and other plants. The presence of sulfur on and in the soil and water releases aluminum, making it available to plants, soil microbes, fish and other organisms. Acid particles also alter the nutrient make-up of forest soils.” The same website states that, “Acidic water flows over and through the ground, affecting soil and water chemistry and a variety of plants and animals.” Acidified soil can cause, “…impairment of plant growth and development because nutrients that would otherwise be available to plants are diminished.” (EPA) According to the US Forest Service Ozone Biomonitoring website, “Ground-level ozone…interferes with the ability of plants to produce and store food, which makes them more susceptible to disease, insects, other pollutants, and harsh weather.” This article deals with the Shenandoah Park in Virginia. It states that, “Plants that are reliable indicators of phytotoxic (i.e., harmful) levels of pollutants are known as bioindicators. Examples of bioindicators for ozone include black cherry, blackberry, common milkweed and yellow-poplar. Forty ozone sensitive plant species have been identified at Shenandoah.” John F. Mitchell, for the NPS writes, “In crop production, the misapplication of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides can