Many of us have heard about a danger to the environment called acid rain, but most of these people know little else. Acid rain affects places all around the world, including New Brunswick. It has been responsible for the destruction of entire forests, lakes and buildings. But what is acid rain? Where does it come from and how does it affect the world around us?.
The most accurate term for acid rain is actually "acid precipitation." This term refers to acidic components in rain, snow, fog, dew, or dry particles. Distilled water has a neutral pH of seven and contains no carbon dioxide. Liquids with a pH under seven are acidic while liquids with a pH above seven are alkaline. Typically, unpolluted rain is slightly acidic with a pH of around five point six. This is because of carbon dioxide and water in the air which react to form a weak acid called carbonic acid. There are several pollutants which add the extra acidity in the rain. These are primarily nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides generated by vehicles and industrial and power-generating plants. (John Watson, "What is Acid Rain?") .
Specifically, sulfur dioxide emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels such as ore smelting, coal-fired power generators and natural gas processing. In nineteen-ninty-eight Canada's sulfur dioxide emissions were measured at two point seven million tonnes. That was six times less than the U.S.'s emissions which reached seventeen point seven million tonnes. One must keep in mind however that these emissions are coming from different places. (Figure 1.1) Seventy-four percent of Canada's emissions were directly from industrial sources however, sixty-seven percent of the U.S.'s emissions were actually from electric utilities. Today, Canada has reduced their sulfur dioxide emissions by thirty percent since nineteen-ninety-eight and fifty percent since nineteen-eighty. (Environment Canada, "Acid Rain and the Facts").
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. ... Decrease in pH levels, photochemical smog and depletion of the ozone layer are some effects of acid rain in the air. ... In turn humans may become starved if the acid rain effects increase. ...
The Acid Rain Issue Acid Rain is a serious problem with disastrous effects. ... This topic is very important because acid rain effects everyone everywhere all over the world.I. ... Effects of acid rainAcid rain causes problems in almost every aspect of the environment. ... Effects of acid rain on the economyBecause of acid rain, many fish have died. ... Even though this accord deemed success the Canadians still believe that the United States is the major cause of their acid rain problems.5 Canada also feels they have done more to control the effects of the acid rain pollution in North America...
Acid rain may possibly be the leading cause of death in North America. ... The ecological effects of acid rain are most clearly seen in aquatic environments, such as streams, lakes, and marshes. ... Most lakes and streams have a pH between 6 and 8, although some lakes are naturally acidic even without the effects of acid rain. ... However, the pollutants that cause acid rain also damage human health. ... The effects of acid rain are seen throughout the world, but are especially noticeable in eastern North America. ...
This article gives an informational, in-depth look at acid rain--its causes and effects; and solutions to the acid rain problem. Smoke and gases, given off by factories, cars, and other polluters that run on fossil fuels, cause acid rain. ... Automobiles produce nitrogen oxides (which cause acid rain), so every time we do not carpool when we can, we are helping to cause acid rain. Therefore, now that we know what causes acid rain, here a look at how acid rain can hurt you and the world around you? Acid rain is an extremely destructive form of pollution, and the environment suffers fro...
Acid Rain and the Environment First off, what is acid rain? ... The affects on water forms are the greatest and the most tragic of all that acid rain causes. ... However, the chemicals that cause acid rain (SO2 and NOx) are known to damage the human health. ... Another effect that acid rain causes on the human health is due to the food we eat. ... To solve the acid rain problem, people need to get educated on the causes and effects of it. ...
Acid rain is a serious problem in our environment. ... Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to the damage of trees at high elevations. ... Scientists discovered, and have confirmed, that sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NO) are the primary causes of acid rain. ... Acid rain causes a cascade of effects that kill aquatic life. ... Every day, trillions of acidic particles are in the air and cause harm to the environment. ...
Acids: Acid Rain What are the chemical causes of acid rain? ... The primary causes of acid rain are acidic oxides , precisely sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrous oxide (NOx- since this can be nitrogen dioxide (NO2) or nitric oxide (NO)) and some carbon dioxide (CO2). ... Well, acid rain causes many, many problems. ... Effects of acid rain on plant life Acid rain damages the roots of plants- this may lead to death or no growth. ... Effect of acid rain on man made structures In cities, paint from buildings have peeled off and colors of cars have faded due to the effects of acid rain. ...
Prolonged exposure to acid rain causes forest soils to lose valuable nutrients. ... SEVERE YELLOWING IN COLOR CAUSED BY ACID RAIN (SHOULD BE HEALTY GREEN) THE TREE ON THE RIGHT IS SHOWING NORMAL GROWTH THE TREE ON THE LEFT IS SHOWING THE EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN ACID RAIN - A DEFINITION Acidity is measured using a pH scale, with the number 7 being neutral. ... One of the main causes of acid rain is sulphur dioxide. ... ACID RAIN ALSO EFFECTS THE NUTRIENTS IN THE SOIL. ... - ACID RAIN ALSO EFFECTS THE NUTRIENTS IN THE SOIL...
Acid rain is a serious problem that our world faces today, and can cause huge problems. ... Cars and trucks are another great cause of acid rain. ... The cost of acid rain is very dramatic. ... Acid rain is killing more than bodies of water. ... Acid rain effects many crops too. ...
