Environmental Science

Subject:
Environmental Science
Topic:
Acid Rain
Submitted to:
Submitted by:
Mahnoor Fatima
Roll no. 78
Group# 3
Department:
Bs English Literature
Govt College Women University FSD
What is Acid Rain?
Acid Rain refers to a mixture of deposited material, both wet and dry, coming from the
atmosphere containing more than normal amounts of Nitric and Sulfuric acids. Simply put, it
means rain that is acidic in nature due to presence of certain pollutants in the air due to cars
and industrial processes. It is easily defined as rain, fog, sleet or snow that has been made acidic
due to pollutants in the air as a result of fossil fuel and industrial combustion that mostly emits
Nitrogen Oxides(NO×) and Sulfur Dioxide(SO2). Acidity is determined on the basis of the pH
level of the water droplets. Normal rain water us slightly acidic with a pH range of 5.3 to 6.0,
because carbon dioxide and water present in the air react together to form carbonic acid, which
is a week acid. When the pH level of rain water falls below this range, it becomes acid rain.
When these gases react with water molecules and oxygen among other chemicals found in the
atmosphere, mild acidic chemical compounds such as sulfuric and nitric acids are formed
resulting to acid rain.
Acid Rain is also known as Acid Deposition.
Formation of Acid Rain

Acid deposition can form as a result of two processes. In some cases, hydrochloric acid can be
expelled directly into the atmosphere. More commonly it is due to secondary pollutants that
form from the oxidation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) or sulfur dioxide (SO2) gases that are released
into the atmosphere. Reactions at the Earth’s surface or within the atmosphere can convert
these pollutants into nitric acid or sulfuric acid. The process of altering these gases into their
acid counterparts can take several days, and during this time these pollutants can be
transported hundreds of kilometers from their original source. Acid precipitation formation can
also take place at the Earth’s surface when nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide settle on the
landscape and interact with dew or frost.
Emissions of sulfur dioxide are responsible for 60-70 % of the acid deposition that occurs
globally. More than 90 % of the sulfur in the atmosphere is of human origin.
Forms of Acid Deposition

• Wet Deposition
Wet deposition is what we most commonly think of as acid rain. The sulfuric and nitric acids
formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.
• Dry Deposition
Acidic particles and gases can also deposit from the atmosphere in the absence of moisture as
dry deposition. The acidic particles and gases may deposit to surfaces (water bodies,
vegetation, buildings) quickly or may react during atmospheric transport to form larger particles
that can be harmful to human health. When the accumulated acids are washed off a surface by
the next rain, this acidic water flows over and through the ground, and can harm plants and
wildlife, such as insects and fish.
The amount of acidity in the atmosphere that deposits to earth through dry deposition depends
on the amount of rainfall an area receives. For example, in desert areas the ratio of dry to wet
deposition is higher than an area that receives several inches of rain each year.
Causes of Acid Rain

Both natural and man-made sources are known to play a role in the formation of Acid Rain. But
it is mainly caused by the combustion of fossil fuels which results in emission of Sulfur Dioxide
(SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NOx).
Natural Sources
The major natural casual agent for Acid Rain is volcanic emissions. Volcanoes emit acid
producing gases to create higher than normal amount of acid rain or any other form of
precipitation such as fog and snow to an extent of affective vegetation and health of residents
within the surrounding.
Decaying vegetation, wildfires and biological processes within the environment also generate
the acid rain forming gases.
Dimethyl sulfide is a typical example of a major biological contributor to sulfur containing
elements into the atmosphere. Lightening strikes also naturally produces the nitric oxides that
react with water molecules via electrical activity to produce nitric acid, thereby forming acid
rain.
Man-Made Sources
Human activities leading to chemical gas emission such as sulfur and nitrogen are primary
contributors to acid rain. The activities include air pollution sources emitting sulfur and nitrogen
gases like factories, power generation facilities and automobiles. In particular, use of coal for
electrical power generation is the biggest contributor to gaseous emissions leading to acid rain.
Automobiles and factories also release high scores of gaseous emissions on daily basis into air,
especially in highly industrialized areas and urbane regions with large number of car traffic.
These gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form various
acidic compounds such as sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate and nitric acid. As a result, these
areas experience exceedingly high amounts of acid rain.
The existing winds blow these acidic compounds over large areas across borders and they fall
back to the ground in the form of acid rain or other forms of precipitation. Upon reaching the
Earth, it flows a ross the surface, absorbs into the soil and enters into lakes and rivers and
finally gets mixed up with the sea water.
The gases i.e. sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides(NOx) are primary gases occurring from
electric power generations by burning coal and responsible for acid rain.
Effects of Acid Rain

Acid rain can be carried great distances in the atmosphere, not just between countries but also
from continent to continent. The rain sometimes falls many miles from the source of pollution
but wherever it falls it can have a serious effect on soil, trees, buildings and water.
Effects on Forests
It is thought that acid rain can cause trees to grow more slowly or even to die but scientists
have found that it is not the only cause. The same amount of acid rain seems to have more
effect in some areas than it does in others. Acid rain can effect trees in several different ways, it
may:
• dissolve and wash away the nutrients and minerals in the soil
which help the trees to grow.
• cause the release of harmful substances such as aluminum into the soil.
• wear away the waxy protective coating of leaves, damaging them
And preventing them from being able to photosynthesis properly.

A combination of these effects weakens the trees which means that they can be more easily
attacked by diseases and insects or injured by bad weather. It is not just trees that are affected
by acid rain, other plants may also suffer.
Dead trees line a riverbank Norilsk, Russia. Formerly a major industrial center in Siberia
Effects on Lakes and Rivers

It is in aquatic habitats that the effects of acid rain are most obvious. Acid rain runs off the land
and ends up in streams, lakes and marshes – the rain also falls directly on these areas.
As the acidity of a lake increases, the water becomes clearer and the numbers of fish and other
water animals decline. Some species of plant and animal are better able to survive in acidic
water than others. The acidity of the water does not just affect species directly, it also causes
toxic substances like aluminum to be released into the water from the soil, harming fish and
other aquatic animals.
Lakes, rivers and marshes each have their own fragile ecosystem with many different species of
plants and animals all depending on one another to survive. If a species of fish disappears, the
animals which feed on it will gradually disappear too.
Effects on Buildings and Stones

Every type of material will become eroded sooner or later by the effects of the climate. Water,
wind, ice and snow all help in the erosion process but unfortunately, acid rain can help to make
this natural process even quicker. Statues, buildings, vehicles, pipes and cables can all suffer.
This religious medieval sculpture, made of sand stone, has been degraded by acidification of air and rains.
The worst affected are things made from limestone or sandstone as these types of rock are
particularly susceptible and can be affected by air pollution in gaseous form as well as by acid
rain.
Effects on Vegetation Covers and Plantations

The damaging affects of acid rain on soil and high levels of dry deposition have endlessly
damaged high altitude of forests and vegetation cover since they are mostly encircled by acidic
fog and clouds. Besides, the widespread effects of acid rain on ecological harmony have lead to
stunted growth and even death of some forests and vegetation cover.
Effects on Public Health

When in atmosphere, Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides and their particulate matter
derivatives like sulfates and nitrates, degrades visibility and causes accidents, leading to injuries
and deaths. Human health is not directly affected by acid rain because acid rain water is too
dilute to cause serious health problems. However, the dry depositions also known as gaseous
particulates in the air which in this case are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause serious
health problems when inhaled. Intensified levels of acid deposition in dry form in the air can
cause lung and heart problems such as bronchitis and asthma.
What can be done to stop Acid Rain?
There are several solutions to stopping manmade acid rain. Regulating the emissions coming
from vehicles and buildings is an important step, according to the EPA. This can be done by
restricting the use of fossil fuels and focusing on more sustainable energy sources such as solar
and wind power.
Also, each person can do their part by reducing their vehicle use. Using public transportation,
walking, riding a bike or carpooling is a good start, according to the EPA. People can also reduce
their use of electricity, which is widely created with fossil fuels, or switch to a solar plan. Many
electricity companies offer solar packages to their customers that require no installation and
low costs.

Environmental Science

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Environmental Science

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Environmental Science

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Subject:

Formation of Acid Rain

Forms of Acid Deposition

Causes of Acid Rain

Effects of Acid Rain

And preventing them from being able to photosynthesis properly.

Effects on Lakes and Rivers

Effects on Buildings and Stones

Effects on Vegetation Covers and Plantations

Effects on Public Health

You might also like