A Summary Of Acid Rain
SUMMARY
Acid rain is defined as any form precipitation that has abnormal acidic content. This phenomenon was first discovered in 1872 but didn’t gain popularity till 1980, when unchecked car, and industrial emission got worldwide interest. Acid rain is caused by natural and manmade emissions. The main culprits of acid rain are Sulfur and nitrogen oxides. When these gasses react with the water vapour (clouds) in the atmosphere, they form weak acids. The clouds carrying the acidic water may now be carried by the winds to some other country .This water causes major ecological issues when they fall in the form of rain or snow. Some species have higher tolerance to acidic rain however, as our ecosystem is co-dependent everyone ends up
…show more content…
Acid rain has pH less than 5.6. Normal rains are slightly acidic to due to natural reactions in the atmosphere.
Acidic rain does not burn or sting, though it may vary. All the species have different level of tolerance for acid rain, however plants and aquatic life are effected too much greater degree. However, we live in a delicately balanced ecosystem that may undergo unknown changes if a species would become extinct.
Chemistry of Acid Rain
The main source of acid rain are SO2, NO and NO2. SO2 is a colourless gas that is released when fossil fuel constituting high Sulfur content is burnt. It is also released during manufacturing of iron, factory utilities and crude oil processing. NO and NO2 are released as a result of high temperature firing of plants like automobile, factory utility plants and manufacturing chemical fertilizers.
The acidity of acid precipitation depend on emission levels, but also on the chemical mixtures in which Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides interact in the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides go through several complex steps of chemical reactions before they become the acids found in acid rain.
SO2 (g) + H2O ⇌ SO2·H2O
SO2·H2O ⇌ H++HSO3-
HSO3- ⇌
…show more content…
This is due to the harmful gasses released during volcano eruptions. One theory postulates that natural acid rain has in ancient history caused a mass extinction. Other factor like lightening and biogas exist but humans are the main culprits.
Effects
The biggest problem with the acid rain is that it affect is spread over the globe, and global politics becomes an issue when cross border policies are to be implemented.
The effects of acid rain are also hard to observe and scientist around the world did extensive research to prove that the varying growth of forest in different years was due to acid rain. The acid rain does not destroy the trees rather it inhibits the tree’s ability to get nutrients by destroying its leaves, furthermore the rain seeps into the soil and slowly poisons the roots also dissolving the minerals at the same time.
The effect of acid rain on animals vary from species to species, however the aquatic life is disturbed the most as all the rain water enters lakes and streams thus increasing the pH of the water. The earth ecosystem is co-dependent that is if aquatic life is affected it would be felt across the entire food chain.
Concerning the human monuments they are also affected as acid reacts with the material and which makes them lose their structural integrity.
Environmental Causes Of The Indian River Lagoon
251 Words | 2 PagesWhy? It’s because, the chemicals goes into the soil and makes runoff from the stormwater, and gets into the water, and pollutes it. The chemicals make the water polluted, which also harms the wildlife. Other things including sediments, dirt, and muck also get in the water
The Pros And Cons Of Hawaiian Monk Seals
799 Words | 4 PagesAs human beings we visit the Waikiki Aquarium and only see the place as a paradise home for the Hawaiian Monk Seals. We do not put ourselves into the perspective of the marine animal and see the aquarium through their eyes. My story, “Bumping Into Glass Walls” promotes the idea that we may think the Hawaiian Monk Seals enjoy the aquarium but that could be a false statement. We can come to a conclusion that the Hawaiian Monk Seals do not want to be at the aquarium but end up there because of threats in the Pacific Ocean.
How Can Alka Seltzer Act As A Buffer Against Acid Rain
1463 Words | 6 PagesThe pollutants that taint rainfall is caused by the constant burning of coal and other fossil fuels, such as gas. The pollutants that are found in acid rain are sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Acidic substances can also fall from the sky in forms other than rainfall, such as snow and hail, and can also collect on the ground, as dust or fog, and can penetrate into soil. Acid rain is extremely detrimental to soil and therefore
Ocean Acidification Lab Report
1851 Words | 8 PagesBackground: In Ischia Island the water around the island has been acidified for millions of years because of Mt. Vesuvius. This dormant volcano is melting chalk in the sea floor, which releases carbon dioxide into the water acidifying it. This acidification is devastating the life around the island and is still being acidified by the continuous release of CO2. We can use this as an example of what our world might look like if we continue to release carbon dioxide emissions through things such as burning fossil fuels and reducing the carbon banks such by things like deforestation.
Ocean Acidification In Washington
522 Words | 3 PagesImagine sitting in a fancy restaurant and ordering the Willapa Bay oyster special. the waiter says they don’t have any oysters. This tragedy is due to ocean acidification. Ocean acidification is happening in Washington’s backyard, but residents might not know what it is. Ocean acidification is when the pH in the ocean is replaced with more acidic substances like carbon dioxide.
EPA Mission Statement
1009 Words | 5 PagesMission Statement: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) serves as a means to help protect the health of all Americans and their environment. In their efforts to do so the EPA 's purpose is to protect U.S. citizens from being exposed to possible health issues in all aspects of their lives, whether it be at home, school, or even work. These efforts are being made all over the U.S. to try and reduce external costs on U.S. citizens, by using the best info available to the EPA about health risks. Not only is the EPA advocating for the protection of the environment, but U.S. policies are having a larger presence of reforms that concern every aspect of the environment, ranging from natural resources to energy and transportation.
Essay Effect Of Wildfires On The Environment
1656 Words | 7 PagesHot and dry conditions cause earth surface to be drier and this lead to massive wildfires which destroy wildlife habitat and inject huge amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There are some positive impacts of wildfires on the environment, wildfires clean up a forest of dead and decaying matter. They maintain ecosystem balance by removing diseased plants and harmful insects and regeneration of seeds through sunlight. They kill invasive species, allowing for indigenous species to continue thriving. Wildfires can engender flash flood conditions and enable soil erosion, with an increase in water runoff.
Deforestation In Tropical Rainforests
911 Words | 4 PagesThey also serve as water catchment areas. Effects of Deforestation Despite their importance, it has been estimated that more than 50 million acres of rainforests are destroyed or seriously degraded every year. 1. Deforestation causes soil erosion, landslides and flash floods During the rain seasons and it rains for a long period of time, the top layer of soil loosens and slide down which cause landslides.
How Does Acid Rain Affect Plant Growth
1186 Words | 5 PagesIntroduction: In this task I will be researching the effect that acid rain has on the rate of plant growth. Acid rain is any type of precipitation with a high pH, with high levels of nitric acids. The reason why I had chosen this topic was because acid rain seems to have a great effect on the effect of plant growth, and plants play a very important role in our ecosystem. Acid rain is a major problem in our environment when we are not able to neutralize the acidity.
Acid Base Neutralization Lab Report
1001 Words | 5 PagesAcids are proton donors in chemical reactions which increase the number of hydrogen ions in a solution while bases are proton acceptors in reactions which reduce the number of hydrogen ions in a solution. Therefore, an acidic solution has more hydrogen ions than a basic solution; and basic solution has more hydroxide ions than an acidic solution. Acid substances taste sour. They have a pH lower than 7 and turns blue litmus paper into red. Meanwhile, bases are slippery and taste bitter.
Lab Report On Acid Base Titration
1346 Words | 6 PagesStrong acids and strong bases are strong electrolytes and are assumed to ionize completely in the presence of water. Weak acids however, only ionize to a limited extend in water. Any weak or strong acids when in contact with any weak or strong alkali will start to undergo neutralization regardless of their volume. When an indicator which is present in the acid-base mixture and have experienced colour change, it indicates that the mixture is in right proportions to neutralize each other and is also known as the equivalence point.
Ocean Acidification Essay
861 Words | 4 PagesThe topic of this research paper will cover over Ocean Acidification and the effects on marine ecosystems. Ocean acidification is the decrease in pH levels of the Earth 's oceans, due to overbearing carbon dioxide being brought by the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide is drawn by seawater, where the chemical reactions take place, which minimize the pH levels in the ocean, the carbonate levels and the important calcium carbonate which these sea creatures need. When carbon dioxide disperses in this ocean, it causes the levels of acidity to rise towards the the surface, where most shell growth in marine animals have been stopped and has created the cause of reproductive disorders in multiple fish. Part of the problem with ocean acidification is human activity.
Acid Rain Persuasive Essay
746 Words | 3 PagesSome people call it acid deposition because they say it is a more precise name due to the fact that acid rain isn’t only rain, it can fall as rain, snow, sleet, hail and anything else. Acid rain has been formed because as we release harmful gases into the atmosphere, we are lowering the pH of precipitation, creating acid rain. Acid rain can kill small organisms such as trees and fish which destroys ecosystems. Although acid rain is not known to affect humans immensely, it can however, cause health issues usually lung
CH3COOH And Naoh Lab Report
1052 Words | 5 PagesH3O+ and OH- ions combine to form H2O. H2O is part of the overall reaction because it is always the product in acid-base neutralization reaction. Based on this reaction, by adding a known base, the amount of acid can
Essay On Global Environment Problems
947 Words | 4 PagesBalance of natural processes like pollution is crucial to the survival of the eco-system and human activity threatens the same. Another example is the destruction of coral reefs in the various oceans, which support the rich marine life. •
More about A Summary Of Acid Rain
Environmental Causes Of The Indian River Lagoon
251 Words | 2 PagesThe Pros And Cons Of Hawaiian Monk Seals
799 Words | 4 PagesHow Can Alka Seltzer Act As A Buffer Against Acid Rain
1463 Words | 6 PagesOcean Acidification Lab Report
1851 Words | 8 PagesOcean Acidification In Washington
522 Words | 3 PagesEPA Mission Statement
1009 Words | 5 PagesEssay Effect Of Wildfires On The Environment
1656 Words | 7 PagesDeforestation In Tropical Rainforests
911 Words | 4 PagesHow Does Acid Rain Affect Plant Growth
1186 Words | 5 PagesAcid Base Neutralization Lab Report
1001 Words | 5 PagesLab Report On Acid Base Titration
1346 Words | 6 PagesOcean Acidification Essay
861 Words | 4 PagesAcid Rain Persuasive Essay
746 Words | 3 PagesCH3COOH And Naoh Lab Report
1052 Words | 5 PagesEssay On Global Environment Problems
947 Words | 4 Pages