ACID RAIN

ACID RAIN

Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that has unusual high levels of acids, meaning it has lower pH that normal. It can happen in the form of rain, snow or fog in the areas where the weather is wet (wet deposition), or in the form of smoke or dust if the weather’s dry (dry deposition). Acid rain is one of the most serious environmental problems that affects and damages the ecosystems.

Causes:

There are both natural and man-made sources that cause acid rain.

The acids can be produced naturally by volcanic eruptions, lightning strikes or dying vegetation. Acids can also be found in some ice glaciers.

But the main cause is the emission of certain gases, such as sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide from electricity generation, factories and motor vehicles, that react with the oxygen and water molecules in the atmosphere forming the acids that later fall back to the ground as precipitations.

SO₂ → H₂SO₄                   Sulfur dioxide → Sulfuric acid

NO₂ → HNO₃                     Nitrogen oxide → Nitric acid

Effects and consequences:

·         Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and rivers which affect water organisms (lost of fish) Acid rain affects lakes and streams in two ways: chronic and episodic. Chronic, results from years of acidic rainfall. It increases the acidity of the water and reduce the levels of nutrients which, weaken the fish and other plants and animals in an aquatic ecosystem. Episodic acidification is a sudden jump in the acidity of the water. This can result from a heavy rainstorm. This may lead to high concentrations of substances such as aluminum, which may be toxic to fish.

·         Acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage.

·         Acid rain influence forest vegetation and soils. Acid rain weakens the trees’ natural defenses, making them more vulnerable to diseases. The floors may became infertile and damage it vegetation.

·         Acid rain particles which can be formed from sulfate and nitrate ions can affect respiration and produce diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.