Student Writing Handbook Fifth+Edition

386 / Types of Writing

Welte, page 1

INTRODUCTION

Statement of Problem

For many years, acid rain has raised major concerns among environmentalists and con-

servationists as well as among the general public. Scientists have contended that rain-made acid

from various sources has been damaging trees, bridges, buildings, lakes, crops, and the world’s

most vital resource, its soil. In fact, acid rain has become a problem of such magnitude that the

federal government has taken action. By creating the National Acid Precipitation Assessment

Program, the government is starting to search for ways to halt this dangerous phenomenon.

Besides the damage to forests and lakes, a more serious and devastating result from

acid rain is beginning to attract attention: the damage to common plants such as grasses, flow-

ers, and crops. The extent of acid-rain damage to crops will likely prove to be comparable to

the extent of ozone damage, or about 5% of the cash value (Peterson 7).

While acid-rain damage is subtle, it is nevertheless occurring, partially through a gradual

but steady increase in soil acidity. Acid rain takes nutrients from the soil so that plants do not

grow properly (Louisiana DEQ). According to Lance Evans, however, most damage to plants

caused by acid is the result of foliar impact, not increased soil acidity. His discovery that broad-

leaved plants seem to be the most sensitive to acid rain supports his theory (Schultz 57).

Unfortunately, the acidity of rain appears to continue to increase. Researchers now believe

that the normal pH for rainfall is closer to 5.0 than to 5.6, the previously assumed value that

reflected the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in water (“Acid Rain Annual Report”).