The idea was that SO2 combines with H2O to produce H2SO3, sulfurous acid. There was a huge study commissioned by Congress to find out the answer, and it turned out to be an artifact of groundwater sampling. Water steeping in fallen conifer needles was producing the apparent acidity.
Quite interesting. I did not know of that study result.
I have a firm memory from that time period of political brochures mailed by our local representative decrying the damage of acid rain. He demanded urgent political action of course. The front of the brochure was a photograph of a small shallow lake densely populated with dead trees. It turned out the lake was a beaver pond.
Yep. I don't know where to find the study document now. I know that after it appeared, the general reaction was "Oops! Never mind." So many hyped-up environmental crises were (and are) built on complete prevarication.
The idea was that SO2 combines with H2O to produce H2SO3, sulfurous acid. There was a huge study commissioned by Congress to find out the answer, and it turned out to be an artifact of groundwater sampling. Water steeping in fallen conifer needles was producing the apparent acidity.
Quite interesting. I did not know of that study result.
I have a firm memory from that time period of political brochures mailed by our local representative decrying the damage of acid rain. He demanded urgent political action of course. The front of the brochure was a photograph of a small shallow lake densely populated with dead trees. It turned out the lake was a beaver pond.
Yep. I don't know where to find the study document now. I know that after it appeared, the general reaction was "Oops! Never mind." So many hyped-up environmental crises were (and are) built on complete prevarication.