# Acid rain is rain consisting of water droplets that are unusually acidic because of atmospheric pollution. Most commonly, the excessive amounts of sulfur and nitrogen released by cars and industrial processes are responsible for this. # Acid rain is also called acid deposition because this term includes other forms of acidic precipitation such as snow. # Acidity itself is determined based on the pH level of the waterdroplets. Normal rain water is slightly acidic and has a pH range of 5.3-6.0. Acid deposition is anything below that scale. Causes and History of Acid Rain:- # Acid deposition can occur via natural sources like volcanoes also. # But mostly because of the SO2 and NO2 evolved to the air. # When SO2 and NO2 gases (major gases) are discharged into the atmosphere they react with the water, oxygen, and other gases already present there to form sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid. These acids then disperse over large areas because of wind patterns and fall back to the ground as acid rain or other forms of precipitation. Effects of Acid Rain:- 1. Aquatic settings are the most clearly impacted by acid deposition though because acidic precipitation falls directly into them. Both dry and wet deposition also runs off of forests,fields, and roads and flows into lakes, rivers, and streams. 2. As this acidic liquid flows into larger bodies of water, it is dilutedbut over time, acids can accrue and lower the overall pH of the body. This is a problem for living beings. ( If the pH of a lake drops below 4.8, its plants and animals risk death) 3. Acid deposition also causes claysoils to release aluminum and magnesium further lowering the pH in some areas. 4. It can significantly impact forests. As acid rain falls on trees, it can make them lose their leaves, damage their bark, and stunt theirgrowth. By damaging these parts of the tree, it makes them vulnerable to * disease * extreme weather * insects 5. Acid falling on a forest’s soil is also harmful because it disrupts soil nutrients, kills microorganisms in the soil, and can sometimes cause a calcium deficiency. 6. Has an impact on architecture and art because of its ability to corrode certain materials. 7. As acid lands on buildings (especially those constructed withlimestone) it reacts with minerals in the stones sometimes causing it to disintegrate and wash away. 8. Acid deposition can also corrode modern buildings, cars, railroad tracks, airplanes, steel bridges, and pipes above and below ground.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Jul 2013 18:35:09 +0000
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