Environmental Effects Of Acid Rain

Where does acid rain come from? Acid rain is made from man-made emissions and a few natural compounds. A few of the emissions responsible for acidic rain is sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. Ammonia, which is mainly from agricultural process is also responsible for a lot of the acidity in rain. In the atmosphere it mixes with certain compounds and neutralizes them. The neutralized compounds break down when the products the reactions are deposited, acidity is then released.

Acid rain is a huge problem to the world. Acid rain is defined as “precipitation, as rain, snow, or sleet, containing relatively high concentrations of acid-forming chemicals, as the pollutants from coal smoke, chemical manufacturing, and smelting, that have been released into the atmosphere and combined with water vapor: harmful to the environment”(Dictionary.com). Acid rain has huge effects on trees and plants, waterways, and soil (epa.gov). Acid rain is an unnatural environmental problem that if not stopped, will continue too damage the world we live in.

The environmental challenge facing society that I have chosen to discuss is Acid Rain. The effects of acid rain were first noticed 150 years ago in Britain, and to this day are still an issue. The pH scale allows us to decide whether a substance is acidic or basic. If the substance has a pH of 7, it is neutral, below seven it is acidic, or above seven it is basic. Precipitation normally has a pH of 5.6, slightly acidic due to the CO2 in the atmosphere mixing with the rainwater to create a weak carbonic acid. Human induced pollution also plays a role in acid rain by releasing harmful gases such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. This is mostly done by the burning of fossil fuels and in industrial processes such as metal production (Middleton,2008). In agriculture, ammonia from nitrogenous fertilisers and manures escapes to the atmosphere by volatilisation (Tennesen, 2010).

oxide are the gases that form the acid rain. When these gases mix with moisture

From the precise moment, we first polluted the world, from burning fossil fuels to urbanization many people were uneducated about the threatening long-term effects that came along with these massive innovations. One of the many serious threats is acid rain a lot of people don’t notice the effects of this worldwide dilemma. When we burn fossil fuels nitrous gases are released into the atmosphere and these gases react with water and oxygen, therefore, making it rain filled with many sulfuric acids and chemicals.(National Geographic,2017) Acid rain destroys many habitats, ecosystems, wear down buildings and statues, and can contaminate many of the streams of water in Canada. Thousands of trees will we wiped out due to acid rain, therefore, damaging our huge exports of lumber. Our sources of water will now be contaminated and would not be accessible or safe to drink or use. Our water would have to go through many filters before it will be safe to drink. Now we realize the detrimental effects that come with acid rain from the dwindling surplus of trees to the harmful chemicals polluting our ecosystem it's time to stand and take action to this worldwide crisis.

Acid rain is caused by when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are put into the atmosphere and then transported by wind and air currents. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These chemicals then mix with water and other materials before falling into the ground. A small portion of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause acid rain from natural sources like volcanoes, but most of it comes from the burning of fossil fuel (Feely, et al., 2010). Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are two of the major sources associated towards acid rain. Atmospheric deposition of the sulfur and nitrogen molecules is derived from coal-fired

In describing acid precipitation pollutant chosen it is more commonly known as acid rain representing a form of secondary pollution (EB,2013). Nitrogen and sulfur oxides are released into the atmosphere reacting to water and other components forming acids (EB, 2013). Acid rain refers to two different processes that enable the acid suspended in the atmosphere to deposit on the Earth’s surface water dries (EB, 2013). Wet acid decomposition fades to the Earth’s surface when it rains snows or fogs (EB, 2013). The dry acid deposition occurs when the acid particles drop to the Earth’s surface as gas or a particulate form (EB, 2013). Acid decompositions and precipitation aren’t constrained by international boundaries (EB, 2013). Many nations use fossil fuel do not have the legislation in place of air pollution limiting meaning that can contributes to the acid deposition and precipitation both locally and in other countries (EB, 2013). The Nations that haven’t’ taken any. Consideration of limiting air pollution resulting acid deposition that will affect the global environment (EB, 2013). Once the acid compounds are released they are deposited into the soil and bodies of water increasing the acidity resources (EB,2013). Acid water is not potable for humans (EB, 2013). Acid precipitation is both point and non-point pollution. The point pollutions of is from factories and the non-point the acid rain makes water more acidic and release aluminum can be toxic to fish (Acosta,

From the precise moment that man first polluted the world, from burning fossil fuels to urbanization; a chain reaction was created that brought along significant problems for future generations. Many people were unaware of the threatening long-term effects that came along with these massive innovations. One of the many serious threats is acid rain and the majority of people did not notice the effects of this worldwide dilemma. It is now apparent that acid rain has made a significant negative impact on our everyday lives. Acidic precipitation impacts the environment, people, animals, and industries in the world. When we burn fossil fuels, nitrous and sulfuric gases are released into the atmosphere and these gases react with water and oxygen, therefore, making acid rain.(National Geographic,2017) Acid rain comes in many forms like snow, hail, and dust particles too. (Environmental Protection Agency, N.d) This silent killer destroys many habitats, ecosystems, wears down buildings and statues, and can contaminate many bodies of water in Canada. Acid rain is more prevalent near the eastern side of Canada and has also made a huge impact in Sudbury, Ontario. Acidic precipitation was very common in the mid-19th century due to industrialization and lack of technology and knowledge of pollution. As we reflect on past history, we need to find new solutions to minimize or eliminate carbon emissions. This giant environmental problem affects the entire world and its inhabitants and we

Areas that have problems with acid rain are those that contain many running cars and a large population of people in one place, such as cities. Areas near electric companies that burn fossil fuel or manufacturing industries also face acid rain. Even areas that are far from electric companies and manufacturing industries face the wrath of acid rain as SO2 and NOx can travel far through wind and air currents.

The term ‘acid rain’ refers to the atmospheric deposition of acidic constituents that impact the earth as rain, snow, particulates, gases, and vapor. The bulk of the acidity in rain comes from the reaction of sulfur dioxide (SO2) with hydrogen peroxide in clouds, a reaction that produces sulfuric acid. Even though sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide occur in the air naturally, burning fossil fuels adds more of these chemicals into to the air. When these pollutants are released into the air, they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form acid rain. Acid rain then falls to the Earth where it can damage plants, animals, soil, water, and building materials.

In common parlance, acid rain is just what the words man – rainfall that is acidic in nature. However, in scientific terms it has a winder connotation. So, what is acid rain? Any way by which acid falls out of the atmosphere is considered to be acid rain. It can be dry or wet. Acidic gases or particles are referred to as dry deposition, whereas acid rain, snow and fog constitute the wet deposition. Be it particles, snow or gases, they can be termed as acidic if only they have a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (i.e. pH of less than 4) than usual. But what causes acid rain ad what are its effects on our planet? Let’s consider this environmental issue that has become a serious concern for environmentalists the world over.

To begin with according to the United States Enviromental Protection Agency, Acid rain, or acid deposition, is any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.  This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic. Acid rain has a pH of 5.0 or less. Most acid deposition ranges from pH 4.3 to 5.0. While a small portion of the Sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide that cause acid rain is from natural sources such as volcanoes, most of it comes from the burning of fossil fuels.  The major sources of Sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere are: Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity.  Two thirds of Sulfur dioxide and one fourth of Nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere come from electric power generators, vehicles and heavy equipment, manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries. Since winds can blow Sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide over long distances and across borders, it makes the problem greater

Acid rain is a global phenomenon that has many causes and even more different consequences as a result. The main cause of acid rain is the burning of fossil fuels and motor vehicles. The result of these actions get released into the atmosphere. All of these fuels that are getting burnt and running motor vehicles are releasing multiple acids into the atmosphere that gets collected by the clouds and stores them in their moisture. As a consequence, when it rains, the acids that have been collected by the clouds then transfer to the water and get released with the rain. Hence the term “acid rain”. The acids released into the atmosphere can also be collected by snow and hail. These acid pollutants in the air can be carried by wind current extremely easily, therefore this phenomenon can affect many places far away from the initial site.

Acid rain is detrimental to the environment. It affects everything from plants and trees to fish and wildlife to infrastructure to human life. SO2 and NOX react in the atmosphere to form fine sulfate and nitrate particles which people breathes in which in turn raises the risk of more heart disease risks, and lung

Acid rain, also known as acid deposition, is a broad term that classifies any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.  This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or dust that is acidic. Acid rain occurs when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind.  The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids.  They then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground. On the other hand, a limited amount of the SO2 and NOX that causes acid rain is from natural sources such as volcanoes. The majority of acid rain results from the burning of fossil fuels.  The major sources of SO2 and NOX in the atmosphere are the burning