Acid rain is a result of air pollution that includes any form of precipitation with acidic elements like nitric or sulphuric acid . Many different chemicals are produced when any type of fuel is burnt. The smoke that is emitted from a car exhaust does not only contain the sooty grey particles that is visible to eyes but also contains many harmful invisible gases, which can be dangerous to the environment. Polluting gases are produced due to combustion as factories, cars and power stations all burn fuels. Some of the gases, especially nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) react with tiny droplets of water (H2O) in clouds to form nitric and sulphuric acids. The rain that falls from these clouds is slightly acidic and therefore is known as the acid rain. Acid rain is a type of acid deposition that can appear in both wet and dry forms including rain, snow, hail and even dust. These depositions can be carried by wind over long distances and have various harmful effects on the soil, aquatic environment, forests, vegetation cover and plantations, architecture and buildings as well as public health . The main focus of this report is about the major damages to the buildings and architectures caused by acid rain. This report is also going to discuss the strategies or recommendations that can be used for the prevention of acid rain.
Human activities are the main cause of acid rain. Humans have discharged various different chemicals into the air, which have altered the mixture of gases in the atmosphere over the past few decades. Power plants release a large number of sulphur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides through the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal for the production of electricity. Additionally, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide are also released by the exhaust from cars, trucks and buses, which eventually leads to acid rain. . Acidity of rain is determined based on the pH level of water droplets. Normal rain water is acidic to some extent with a pH scale of 5.3 to 6.0 as carbon dioxide and water present in the atmosphere react together to produce carbonic acid (H2CO3), which is a weak acid. The equation for carbonic acid is CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3. Both human activities and natural sources play
Acid rain is precipitation containing harmful amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. (Environmental Effects) A few acid rain examples are rain, snow, sleet, fog, cloudwater, and dew. “Toxic pollutants in the air or deposited on soils or surface waters, can impact wildlife in a number of ways. Greenhouse gases a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, such as, carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons. Methane, water vapor, fluorinated gases, ozone, sulfur hexafluoride, Carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide.(OTHER GREENHOUSE
The subset of air pollutants that cause smog and acid rain (sometimes referred to as Criteria Air Contaminants or CACs) include: According to the most recent environmental indicators, 5.5 per cent of cardiopulmonary (heart and lung disease related) deaths can be attributed to ground-level ozone exposure, which has increased over the past decade.
Acid rain is any form of precipitation comprising of acidic components such as sulphuric acid, carbonic acid or nitric acid that falls from the atmosphere as rain, snow, fog, fail or dust. When sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere, they are transported by wind and air currents. Hence, the two substances react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to for sulphuric, carbonic and nitric acids. The intense extraction of copper in Queensland is one of the causes of acid rain because the large machines that drill into the ground contributes to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in large masses. The roasting, smelting and converting of copper is another factor that contributes to acid rain. The ores are roasted to remove
The fossil fuels and coals that currently being used are the main source of all of the greenhouse gases released into our environment. The burning of fossil fuels can cause nitric acid to be released, which can fall back into the Earth in the form of acid rain. These showers will impact many of the natural areas that are
First is the acidification. Chemical reactions involving air pollutants can create acidic compounds. Sometimes, when an air pollutant, such as sulfuric acid combines with the water droplets that make up clouds, the water droplets become acidic, forming acid rain. Acid rain can kill trees and harm animals, fish, and other wildlife. When acid rain gets into soils, it makes the soil become unfit for many living things due to the change of nutrition. Acid rain also changes the chemistry of the water, harming aquatic life and even people’s health.
Acid rain has not been shown to be harmful to human health, but some of the particles, which can be formed from sulfate, and nitrate ions can affect respiration. They can be transported long distances by winds and inhaled deep into people's lungs. Fine particles can also penetrate indoors. Many scientific studies have identified a relationship between elevated levels of fine particles and increased illness and premature death from heart and lung disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis.
Acid rain has a large concentration of hydrogen ions mainly coming from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. It could kill living organisms, damage buildings, and monuments.
Rain drops that then fall through, or come in contact with, the acid will then increase their acidity. This is known as acid rain. This is a very large environmental issue because fossil fuels are burned to produce useful energy that is needed by society. But acid rain can reduce growth and even kill plants, trees and crops. It not only effects the part of the plant that is above ground, but drains the soil of its nutrients. The acidity of the rain will also lower the pH of water in lakes, killing the fish which live in it. Not only can the burning of fossil fuels ultimately lead to acid rain, but sulfur dioxide can also be the cause of many respiratory diseases like asthma and
Acid rain is created through discharges of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, which reacts with water molecules and creates an acid. Acid rain breaks down rock and soil with contact through the Earth’s atmosphere, which is also known as weathering (Washington University).
Though acid rain is a big issue, there are ways it can be prevented. One of the biggest ways acid rain can be stopped is by lowering your energy consumption. Now you might think, ‘what does energy have to do with acid rain’? It actually has a big affect. By switching off the lights when you leave a room, turning off your computers & televisions when they aren’t being used. Closing the air conditioner/heaters when you leave your home can make a big difference, because when less electricity is used, the pollution from power plants decreases. Power plants also known as power station is an electric generating station
Acid rain makes the nearby environment hazy and can produce sulphur dioxide leading to lung disorders and premature deaths. In order to prevent death, the central nervous system will have receptors that can detect the oxygen and will ensure humans only inhale the oxygen from the sulphur dioxide and exhale the sulphur. The brain will also require less oxygen to function properly and still be at its full capacity to compensate for the decrease in the quantity of plants and trees and the drop in air pressure. In order to ensure that humans can see their predators approaching, the central nervous
Acid rain has been a problem dating back to the 1800s, but it was not until the 1960s that attention was finally brought to the forefront of this problem. Acid rain is not just rain, it is also snow, fog, hail, and mist. Rain itself contains acid because it mixes with naturally occurring oxides in the air. According to Fact Sheet, unpolluted rain would have a pH level of between 5 and 6. When the air becomes polluted with nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide the acidity can increase to a pH level of 4 (p. 1). Rain with a pH below 5.6 is called acid rain (Hill & McCreary, p. 208). This low level causes many problems for our environment. Power plants, factories, car exhaust fumes and even natural pollutants all contribute to
Sulfur Dioxide Pollution in Sullivan County The environmental issue that I have chosen to talk about is sulfur dioxide pollution, specifically in my community and surrounding communities. “The environmental impact of acid rain is that it is a major contributor to acid rain” (Sulfur Dioxide). Acid rain is just normal rain but with a lower pH, “this slightly more acidic water gets into ponds and streams and can alter the biodiversity of it by making the water not suitable for certain species. Another effect of acid rain is that it can leach aluminum into the soil, aluminum is harmful to plant life and wildlife” (Effects of Acid Rain). “The impact on people is the increased likelihood of someone developing short term or long term respiratory
Acid rain refers to precipitation that is more acidic (having lower pH levels) than average. In more detail, acid rain is a type of precipitation that has mixtures of wet and dry materials coming from the atmosphere, which includes more nitric and sulfuric acids (Conserve Energy Future: Acid Rain). Acid rain can also be written as “Acid Deposition” because the acid rain could come down as other precipitation, for instance, snow. This became a worldwide problem due to the effects it can have on land, aquatic ecosystems, buildings, vegetation and more. The acidity of the acid rain will distort the pH levels and break down elements to harm whatever this type of precipitation touches.
Acid rain refers to precipitation that is more acidic (having lower pH levels) than average. In more detail, acid rain is a type of precipitation that has mixtures of wet and dry materials coming from the atmosphere, which includes more nitric and sulphuric acids (Conserve Energy Future: Acid Rain). Acid rain can also be written as “Acid Deposition” because the acid rain could come down as other precipitation, for instance, snow. This became a worldwide problem due to the effects it can have on land, aquatic ecosystems, buildings, vegetation and more. The acidity of the acid rain will distort the pH levels and break down the elements to harm whatever this type of precipitation touches.