User:Mintgreen01/Freshwater acidification

Lead
Reducing Acidification

Current and emerging chemical techniques
There are processes that can remediate the acidification of freshwaters. Liming is one such practice, where calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is added to these systems. Liming aids freshwater chemical and biological recovery by increasing pH levels and essentially helping the habitat return to a similar condition to how it was prior to acidification. Otherwise, recovery on its own would be very extensive and take a lot longer to achieve. When added to rivers, some showed positive effects on the wildlife, increasing the abundance of fish and acid-sensitive invertebrates. However, these effects are variable. In fact, other studies had results that showed a decrease in invertebrate abundance. New technologies have been developed for companies to be able to reduce their emissions of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, linked to acid rain and water acidification. These include, wet lime, gypsum denitrification, Ammonia reduction denitrification, Electron beam irradiation desulfurization and denitrification, and Pulse plasma chemical desulfurization and denitrification.

Government regulations and policies
A large decrease of acid rain and acidic bodies of water in the past couple of decades has been a direct result of governmental regulations on anthropogenic emissions, specifically SOx and NOx. Governments have the power to make this issue a priority and invest in what is needed to mitigate it. For example, investing in scientists to monitor and collect data and allowing them to come up with a model that can be used to successfully implement policies. For instance, implementing a protocol to resolve the issue. Also, governments could invest funds to subsidize companies to decrease their pollution and allow them to use innovative methods of production, so as to lower both greenhouse gas emissions and the amount of acidic substances created. Furthermore, government institutions across the globe can connect on the issue of acidification and work together to find a feasible solution.

Public education
Another important factor to consider when looking at reducing freshwater acidification are the choices people make to protect the environment everyday. Having a basic understanding of environmental problems, such as climate change and acid rain, can influence people to act differently. Following a circular approach to reduce, reuse and recycle can reduce resource depletion and waste minimization, including decreasing water acidity. Also, establishing school programs to ensure children learn from a young age the importance of sustainability and environmental protection. Moreover, waste separation is also fundamental as it allows for the breakdown of the chemicals that cause acid rain. And, finally, being altogether more aware of the effect human actions have on the environment to better protect the planet.