Scribd
Upload
212 views15 pages

Understanding Acid Rain Causes and Effects

Acid rain is caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released from burning fossil fuels which react with water molecules in the atmosphere to form acids. It harms both aquatic life by increasing water acidity and damaging fish eggs, and vegetation by leeching nutrients from soil and creating leaf damage. Preventive measures include using non-polluting energy sources instead of fossil fuels and adding limestone to neutralize acidity in water and soil. A proposed new factory would bring jobs but also pollution leading to acid rain, so allowing it requires weighing economic benefits versus environmental damage.

Uploaded by

Mohit Pathak
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
212 views15 pages

Understanding Acid Rain Causes and Effects

Acid rain is caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released from burning fossil fuels which react with water molecules in the atmosphere to form acids. It harms both aquatic life by increasing water acidity and damaging fish eggs, and vegetation by leeching nutrients from soil and creating leaf damage. Preventive measures include using non-polluting energy sources instead of fossil fuels and adding limestone to neutralize acidity in water and soil. A proposed new factory would bring jobs but also pollution leading to acid rain, so allowing it requires weighing economic benefits versus environmental damage.

Uploaded by

Mohit Pathak
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

JATIN MAKHIJA VIII TH B ROLL NO.

09

DEFINITION OF ACID RAIN

Precipitation that has a pH of less than that of natural rainwater (which is about 5.6 due to dissolved carbon dioxide). It is formed when sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides, as gases or fine particles in the atmosphere, combine with water vapour and precipitate as sulphuric acid or nitric acid in rain, snow, or fog.

CAUSES OF ACID RAIN

Natural Sources
Emissions

from volcanoes and from biological processes that occur on the land, in wetlands, and in the oceans contribute acid-producing gases to the atmosphere Effects of acidic deposits have been detected in glacial ice thousands of years old in remote parts of the globe

CAUSES OF ACID RAIN

The principal cause of acid rain is from human sources


Industrial

factories, power-generating plants and

vehicles Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are released during the fuel burning process (i.e. combustion)

MSN Encarta

FORMATION OF ACID RAIN

EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN

Harmful to aquatic life


Increased

acidity in water bodies Stops eggs of certain organisms (e.g. fish) to stop hatching
Changes

population ratios Affects the ecosystem

EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN

Harmful to vegetation
Increased

acidity in soil Leeches nutrients from soil, slowing plant growth Leeches toxins from soil, poisoning plants Creates brown spots in leaves of trees, impeding photosynthesis Allows organisms to infect through broken leaves

EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN


[Link] rns_pH2_30d.gif

MSN Encarta

EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN

Accelerates weathering in metal and stone structures


Eg.

Parthenon in Athens, Greece; Taj Mahal in Agra, India

MSN Encarta

[Link]

EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN

Affects human health

Respiratory problems, asthma, dry coughs, headaches and throat irritations Leeching of toxins from the soil by acid rain can be absorbed by plants and animals. When consumed, these toxins affect humans severely. Brain damage, kidney problems, and Alzheimer's disease has been linked to people eating "toxic" animals/plants.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Use other sources of electricity (i.e. nuclear power, hydro-electricity, wind energy, geothermal energy, and solar energy)
Issue

of cost

[Link]

REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN

Liming
Powdered

limestone/limewater added to water and soil to neutralize acid Used extensively in Norway and Sweden Expensive, short-term remedy

PROBLEM SCENARIO

Suppose you worked in the government. A company wants to set up a factory in your country. It would bring jobs, but it would also bring about pollution, which would lead to acid rain. Would you allow it? Justify your answer.

THE END

You might also like