Acid rain
.
Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation
that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated
levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). Most water,
including drinking water, has a neutral pH that exists
between 6.5 and 8.5, but acid rain has a pH level
lower than this and ranges from 4–5 on average.[1][2]
The more acidic the acid rain is, the lower its pH is.[2]
Acid rain can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic
animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by
emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which
react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to
produce acids.
Acid clouds can grow on SO2 emissions from
refineries, as seen here in Curaçao.
External audio
audio icon "Whatever Happened to Acid Rain?",
Science History Institute
Acid rain has been shown to have adverse impacts on
forests, freshwaters, soils, microbes, insects and
, aquatic life-forms.[3] In ecosystems, persistent acid
rain reduces tree bark durability, leaving flora more
susceptible to environmental stressors such as
drought, heat/cold and pest infestation. Acid rain is
also capable of detrimenting soil composition by
stripping it of nutrients such as calcium and
magnesium which play a role in plant growth and
maintaining healthy soil. In terms of human
infrastructure, acid rain also causes paint to peel,
corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and
weathering of stone buildings and statues as well as
having impacts on human health.[4][5][6][7]
Some governments, including those in Europe and
North America, have made efforts since the 1970s to
reduce the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxide into the atmosphere through air pollution
regulations. These efforts have had positive results
due to the widespread research on acid rain starting
in the 1960s and the publicized information on its
harmful effects.[8][9] The main source of sulfur and
nitrogen compounds that result in acid rain are
anthropogenic, but nitrogen oxides can also be
produced naturally by lightning strikes and sulfur
dioxide is produced by volcanic eruptions.[10]
Definition
History
Emissions of chemicals leading to acidification
The most important gas which leads to acidification is
sulfur dioxide. Emissions of nitrogen oxides which
are oxidized to form nitric acid are of increasing
importance due to stricter controls on emissions of
sulfur compounds. 70 Tg(S) per year in the form of
.
Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation
that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated
levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). Most water,
including drinking water, has a neutral pH that exists
between 6.5 and 8.5, but acid rain has a pH level
lower than this and ranges from 4–5 on average.[1][2]
The more acidic the acid rain is, the lower its pH is.[2]
Acid rain can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic
animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by
emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which
react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to
produce acids.
Acid clouds can grow on SO2 emissions from
refineries, as seen here in Curaçao.
External audio
audio icon "Whatever Happened to Acid Rain?",
Science History Institute
Acid rain has been shown to have adverse impacts on
forests, freshwaters, soils, microbes, insects and
, aquatic life-forms.[3] In ecosystems, persistent acid
rain reduces tree bark durability, leaving flora more
susceptible to environmental stressors such as
drought, heat/cold and pest infestation. Acid rain is
also capable of detrimenting soil composition by
stripping it of nutrients such as calcium and
magnesium which play a role in plant growth and
maintaining healthy soil. In terms of human
infrastructure, acid rain also causes paint to peel,
corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and
weathering of stone buildings and statues as well as
having impacts on human health.[4][5][6][7]
Some governments, including those in Europe and
North America, have made efforts since the 1970s to
reduce the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxide into the atmosphere through air pollution
regulations. These efforts have had positive results
due to the widespread research on acid rain starting
in the 1960s and the publicized information on its
harmful effects.[8][9] The main source of sulfur and
nitrogen compounds that result in acid rain are
anthropogenic, but nitrogen oxides can also be
produced naturally by lightning strikes and sulfur
dioxide is produced by volcanic eruptions.[10]
Definition
History
Emissions of chemicals leading to acidification
The most important gas which leads to acidification is
sulfur dioxide. Emissions of nitrogen oxides which
are oxidized to form nitric acid are of increasing
importance due to stricter controls on emissions of
sulfur compounds. 70 Tg(S) per year in the form of
