Acid rain may possibly be the leading cause of death in North America. Of course, this statement does not directly refer to human mortality, but to the mortality of forests and the plants that inhabit them. This rapid deforestation creates a loss of habitat for forest dwelling animals, which ultimately leads to further loss of life. Even if this destruction does not mean imminent peril for the human population, it will certainly mean a reduction in the quality of life for all of us. The purpose of this report is to describe the causes and implications of acid deposition, or as it is more commonly known, acid rain.
Although rain is the most recognized form of acid deposition, it may also come in many other forms such as snow, sleet, hail, fog, or dry particles. Dry particle deposition accounts for about half of all acid deposition. Acid deposition occurs when sulfur dioxides (SO2) and nitrogen dioxides (NOx) are emitted from the burning of fossil fuels and released into the atmosphere. These acids then fall to earth in dry form or combined with water molecules to form acid precipitation (rain). The acidity of these depositions is measured using the pH scale. The pH scale is a logarithmic scale ranging from 1 to 14, with 1 being the most acidic, 14 being the most caustic, and 7 being neutral. Pure water has a pH of 7. Normal rain is slightly acidic because of the carbon dioxide that naturally dissolves into it, so it has a pH of about 5.5. As of the year 2000, the most acidic rain falling in the US has a pH of about 4.3. (1).
Almost all of the electricity that powers modern life comes from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil. The burning of coal accounts for almost all of the SO2 emissions, because sulfur is found as an impurity in coal (1). NOx is released when any fossil fuel is burned, but automotive emissions are the largest source of the over-abundance of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere.
"What is Acid Rain?" ... In simple terms, acid rain is rain that is more acidic than normal. ... When this occurs, the runoff water adds the new acids to the acid rain, making a more acidic combination than the falling rain by itself. ... Acid rain has been a big problem for a long time. ... Acid Rain also has a direct affect on everyone. ...
Acids: Acid Rain What are the chemical causes of acid rain? How is acid rain formed? ... Does Bangkok suffer from acid rain? ... Rain having a pH of 5.6 or lower is considered acid rain. ... This was my essay on acid rain. ...
Technically, acid rain is rain that has a larger amount of acid in it than what is normal. ... This article gives an informational, in-depth look at acid rain--its causes and effects; and solutions to the acid rain problem. ... Therefore, now that we know what causes acid rain, here a look at how acid rain can hurt you and the world around you? ... Lakes are also damaged by acid rain. ... Acid rain can even kill fish before they are born. ...
The Acid Rain Issue Acid Rain is a serious problem with disastrous effects. ... What is acid rain?... How is acid rain formed?... Effects of acid rain on the economyBecause of acid rain, many fish have died. ... Acid Rain 2000T...
Acid Rain and the Environment First off, what is acid rain? ... Acid rain looks and feels like regular rain. ... Taking a walk in acid rain, or even swimming in an acidic lake, will not harm us. ... Acid rain also affects the atmosphere. ... Acid rain also affects architecture. ...
Acid rain affects almost everything. ... When snow or rain comes the acid comes with it. ... Acid rain washes away nutrients in the soil. ... Agriculture is affected by acid rain in many ways. ... Snow and rain are highly acidic. ...
About 70% of acid rain comes from sulfur dioxide (SO2) which dissolves into water (H2O) to form sulfuric acid. ... Acid rain accelerates the rotting of building materials. ... Acid rain has two varieties of deposition: wet and dry. Wet deposition relates to acidic rain, fog and snow. ... When this happens, the wasted water adds to those acids to the acid rain, making the mixture more acidic than the falling rain alone. ...
Acid rain is the cause of all of this and much more. Acid rain is a widespread term used to describe all forms of acid precipitation rain, snow, hail, fog, etc. ... Rain (snow, fog, etc.) measured at a pH below 5.6 is considered acid rain. Acid rain is responsible for a widespread of environmental damage. ... There has already been plenty of damage done by acid rain. ...
Acid rain is rain that is polluted. ... Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are the gases that form the acid rain. ... Acid rain can also be harmful to humans because acid rain kills the crops and fish we eat, ruins homes, and the acid can release lead in the pipes and the lead could go into our drinking water. ... When acid rain falls from the sky it gets into the soil. ... It is the same thing with acid rain. ...
Acid rain is destroying the world=s lakes, air and ecosystem. ... Acid rain causes an ample deduction in the pH levels in the water. ... Acid rain causes traumatic effects in natural lakes and rivers. Acid rain causes air quality to deteriorate. ... Acid rain is becoming a major problem in our environment today. ...
