Acid rain, acidification, acid deposition, effects of acid rain and acid rain control. It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and infrastruc ture. There is no doubt about the damage which acid rain has caused, but what remains unclear are the precise causes of acid rain and the most efficacious means of reducing its environmental, economic and political. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, the major sources of acid rain. Published by the arab school for science and technology asst. The smoke that comes from a fire or the fumes that come out of a car exhaust dont just contain the sooty grey particles that you can see they also contains lots of invisible gases that can be even more harmful to our environment. Air plays a vital role not only in nature but also in the lives of human beings and all living organisms. Students also conduct a simple experiment to model and discuss the harmful effects of acid rain on our living and nonliving environment, as well as how engineers address acid rain. It is formed when sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide mix with the water in the atmosphere creating sulfuric acid and carbonic acid.
Smiths time, acid rain fell both in towns and cities whilst today pollutants can be transported thousands of kilometres due to the introduction of tall chimneys. Introduction part 75 emissions monitoring policy manual 20 iii introduction in order to reduce acid rain in the united states and canada, title iv of the clean air act amendments of 1990 established the acid rain program. The main causes of acid rain are gases called sulfur dioxide so2 and nitrogen oxides nox. People burn fossil fuels such as coal and oil to make electricity. The report details the altering of the nitrogen cycle through human introduction of nitrogen to the.
Make enough copies of the student data sheet for each student. The acid rain releases these metals and they stunt the growth of trees and other plants and also that of mosses, algae, nitrogenfixing bacteria and fungi needed for forest growth. On top of the disastrous consequences on our health, the different components of our environment can be affected by acid rains. The smoke that comes from a fire or the fumes that come out of a car exhaust dont just contain the sooty grey particles that you can see they also contains lots of invisible gases that can be even. Distilled water, once carbon dioxide is removed, has a neutral ph of 7. As it alters the chemical composition of the water, to a form which is actually harmful to the aquatic ecosystem to survive and causes water pollution. H2co3aq nitrous acid and nitric acid result from a common air pollutant, nitrogen dioxide no2. This phenomenon also referred to as acid rain is increasing especially in developing countries where modernization, urbanization and population increase have been a major driving force to the.
Effect of acid rain on limestone rock chemistry science. Acid rain has had major ecological consequences in other parts of the world. The projects mission was initially to develop a comprehensive picture of the sensitivity of massachusetts surface waters to acid deposition, and later evolved to determine longterm trends in this sensitivity. Acid rain is a local environment pollution but global concern core.
Nitrogen oxides can also be produced naturally bylightning strikes and sulfur dioxide is produce byvolcanic eruptions. Acid rain is a widespread term used to describe all forms of acid precipitation rain, snow, hail and fog. Review paper acid rain and its ecological consequences p y. Project report on acid rain environmental pollution. The program has substantially reduced sulfur dioxide emissions and nitrogen oxide emissions from electric utility plants. An introduction to the acid rain human started poisoning the atmosphere with acid gases since 1730, at the height of the industrial revolution. Acid rain is a popular term referring to the deposition of a mixture from wet rain, snow, sleet, fog, cloudwater, and dew and dry acidifying particles and gases acidic components. Effect of acid rain on plant growth introduction this is a companion lab to the effect of plant nutrients in soil and soil ph on plant growth lab. Acid rain s spread and damage involves weather, chemistry, soil, and the life cycles of plants and animals on the land and from acid rain in the water. Acid rain lab report essay samplebackground information unpolluted rain is normally slightly acidic, with a ph of 5. When acid rain falls down and flows into the rivers and ponds it affects the aquatic ecosystem. Living organisms can survive without water for some time but cannot survive without air because when we breathe then we intake oxygen from air and releases carbon dioxide, if this procedure does not take. They explore ways to use indicators to distinguish between acids and bases. Acid rain is referring to rain with a ph4 or lower.
Acid rain is a local environment pollution but global concern. The essay then details the effects acid rain has on the environment as well as the human population. The solution to the problem of acid rain is perhaps one of the main environmental and political issues facing the peoples of the industrialized nations, and their neighbours today. Acid rain monitoring project water resources research center. Acid rain is a popular term referring to the deposition of a mixture from wet rain, snow, sleet, fog, cloudwater, and dew and. Smith in 1872 from his studies of air in manchester, england. Acid rain also causes the corrosion of water pipes. Electricity heats and lights buildings and runs appliances such as televisions and video. What are the consequences of acid rains on the environnement. The acid rain monitoring project began at the university of massachusetts water resources research center in 1983. Liquids with a ph less than 7 are acidic, and those with a ph greater than 7 are. Carbonic acid occurs when carbon dioxide gas dissolves in rain droplets of unpolluted air.
Acid rain is a widespread term used to describe all forms of acid precipitation rain, snow, hail, fog, etc. This experiment is based on acid rain, but what is acid rain. This document replaces the epa information sheet no. Movement of pollutants answer key national geographic society. The below acid rain research paper was written by one of our top writers.
Scientists have discovered that burning fossil fuels creates acid rain through air pollution. The graph below shows the air quality for city b over a twoandahalfyear period. Hand out student data sheets and go over concepts listed under the lab background section. Acid rain describes any form of precipitation that contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. The widespread occurrence of acid rain was recognized only in 1980. Sample questions with general answers in italics are arranged in sequence for socratic questioning regarding acid rain background to questions. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to pr oduce acids. It is a broad term referring to more than natural amount of sulfuric acid and nitric oxide. Acid rain favors the leaching of heavy metals from the contaminated purple soil and makes the heavy metal fractions become more labile. Most nitrogen dioxide in our atmosphere is produced from automobile exhaust. An introduction to air pollution definitions, classifications, and history. Students are introduced to acids and bases, and the environmental problem of acid rain.
Acid rain is one of the major environmental threats since 19th century. These pollutants also contribute to the formation of. Acid rain can damage plants, animals, soil, water, building materials, and people. The united states and canada begin study of crossborder acid rain transport. Introduction to acid rain and the ozone print acid rain is a serious environmental problem around the world, particularly affecting asia, europe, and large parts of the u. Acid rain is a term commonly used torefer to all types of precipitationrain, snow, sleet, hail, fogthat is acidic in nature. Natural causes are lightning strikes, volcano eruptions and also dead and decaying foods. Conclusion acid rain is a very serious, and dangerous issue that plagues our world as we know it today. Solution the only costeffective solution to the problem, according to many people, is to reduce emissions at their point of origin. Range of rainwater ph in different parts of india measured at bapmon station modified from datar et al. Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that. Acid rainthe major cause of pollution international research. Acid rains spread and damage involves weather, chemistry, soil, and the life cycles of plants and animals on the land and from acid rain in the water.
Rain is called acid rain only if it has more acid than normal. Study the causes, effects, along with a few examples and understand the prevention measures. Definitions and classifications used in the study of air pollution are introduced. The excess presence of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen in rainwater is the main cause of acid rain. It is not only the liquid rain we are familiar with. Acid rain affects the life in the water as well as the life on land. Carbon dioxide co2 from the atmosphere dissolves to form carbonic acid. Acid rain flows to streams, lakes, and marshes after falling on forests.
Acid rain facts and information national geographic. In an associated literacy activity, students learn. Acid rain is a type of acid deposition, which can appear in many forms. Pure water has a ph of 7 determined by dissociation. Acid rain is any type of precipitation with elevated levels of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Conclusion acid rain and its effects on the environment. Effects, control pdf of full length paper is available with author. Acid rain in environmental engineering free pdf download. Make enough copies of the acid rain lab procedure so that each lab table has enough for the student teams. Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has. Develop a scenario that would explain the changes in air quality over this period of time. The united states is called upon to reduce emissions of so2 and nox, especially from coalburning power plants. Mechanisms and effects of acid rain on environment. Lake acidification and fish loss in the adirondacks, green mountains, and sierra nevada make national news.
Research is underway to clarify the role of acid rain in the destruction. Answers should be logical with the information provided in the. One obvious conclusion is that a uniform reduction in pollution from an arbitrary date. Introduction to acids and bases common household acids and bases properties of acids and bases bronstedlowry theory of acids and bases hydronium amphiprotic species reactions between acids and bases preparation for next class. Acid rain, sulphuric, deposition, nitrogen, pollutants causes. Acid rain and ozone layer depletion download ebook pdf. Introduction to acid rain climate change acid rain. The main causes of acid rain are factories, vehicles, power stations and industries. Acid rain is a computer game based on investigation. Acid ra in i s a r ain or any other form of precipitation that is unusua lly ac idic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions low ph. Acid rain primarily means the deposition of acidic elements in the forms of precipitation, which can be snow, rain, dew or fog. When any type of fuel is burnt, lots of different chemicals are produced.
Acid rain is rain that has been made acidic by certain pollutants in the air. Jun 18, 20 acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide andnitrogen oxide, which react with the watermolecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. It can also occur in the form of snow, fog, and tiny bits of dry material that settle to earth. The game starts with a car accident while one of the earthquakes was taking place. You are a reporter sent to varna to investigate about rumors behind an earthquake and a nuclear fallout creating mutations on locals.
872 1406 905 1528 577 107 1178 127 708 1161 749 891 1360 334 1296 447 1186 88 947 1277 1465 840 533 1330 1481 1171 76 1318 1291 643 24 439 1578 251 680 43 992 1226 688 1120 601 842 1234 475 1294 1141 1397 1499