Acid Rain
Acid
rain is a phenomenon caused by human activities that release pollutants into
the atmosphere. Let’s explore what acid rain is, its effects on the
environment, and potential solutions.
What
is Acid Rain?
Definition:
Acid rain refers to any form of precipitation (rain, snow, fog) that contains
high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. Normal Rain pH: Regular rain has a
slightly acidic pH of 5.6. Acid Rain pH: Acid rain typically has a pH between
4.2 and 4.4.
Causes
of Acid Rain
Human
Activities: Most acid rain results from burning fossil fuels in coal-burning
power plants, factories, and automobiles. Acid rain, also known as acid
deposition, results from the interaction of pollutants in the atmosphere with
water vapor.
Compounds
like sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
and nitrogen oxides (NOâ‚“)
are released into the air from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels,
industrial processes, and vehicle emissions. These pollutants rise into the
atmosphere and mix with water vapor, oxygen, and other chemicals. The newly
formed acids combine with water droplets, snowflakes, or fog particles. These
acidic particles fall to the ground as wet deposition (rain, snow, fog) or dry
deposition (dust, particles).
Effects
of Acid Rain
Acid
rain makes lakes, streams, and wetlands more acidic. Increased aluminum
absorption harms aquatic animals. Impact on the entire ecosystem, affecting
non-aquatic species as well. Acid rain harms soil, forests, streams, and lakes, affecting
ecosystems and human-made structures.
The
Effects of Acid Rain on Ecosystems
An
ecosystem is basically a community of animals, plants and other organisms
living together in their environment consisting of air, water and soil. All the
living and nonliving thing in an ecosystem is connected with one another. If
one part of an ecosystem is harmed then the rest will be affected in one way or
another.
Effects
of Acid Rain on Fish and Wildlife
The
ecological impacts of acid rain can easily be seen in aquatic environments
including streams, lakes, and swamps where it is very harmful to fish and other
wildlife. As it makes its way through the soil, acidic rain water can drain
aluminum away from soil clay particles and finally reach bodies of waters such
as ponds, streams and lakes. So the higher acid rain drops into the ecosystem,
the higher aluminum is released.
Some
types of plants and animals are able to withstand acidic waters and moderate
amounts of aluminum. Those who are
acid-sensitive and will disappear as the pH level declines. Typically, the
younger species are more sensitive to environmental conditions than adults. At
PH 5, we have observed that most fish eggs cannot hatch. At lower pH levels,
some adult fish cannot tolerate and usually die. Some acidic ponds and lakes
have no fish. Although some fish or animals can withstand moderately acidic
water, the animals or plants it eats may not. For instance, frogs can withstand
well with pH around 4, but the flies they feed on are more sensitive and cannot
survive when pH level drops to below 5.5.
Forests
Acid
deposits rob soil of essential nutrients like calcium. Aluminum release in soil
makes it hard for trees to take up water. Leaves and needles suffer damage. Combined
with other stressors, trees become vulnerable to cold, insects, and disease.
Health
Concerns
Nitrogen
oxides contribute to ground-level ozone, harmful to people. Acid rain spreads
pollutants via air pollution.
Solutions:
Regulatory
Actions: Governments regulate emissions from power plants and vehicles.
Clean
Energy: Transitioning to cleaner energy sources reduces acid rain.
Education:
Raising awareness helps prevent acid rain.
Vocabulary
- phenomenon (n) : fact or event which can be observed and/or documented
- pollutant (n): substance that causes pollution.
- atmosphere (n): mixture of gases that surrounds a planet
- potential (n): possible, able to happen; something that can develop or become a reality
- solution (n): the answer to a problem
- precipitation(n): water falls from the clouds towards the ground, especially as rain or snow
- contain (v): to hold; to have within
- interaction (n) when two or more people or things communicate with or react to each other
- emission (n): a pollutant released into the atmosphere
- absorption (n): the process or action by which one thing absorbs or is absorbed by another.
- aquatic (n): relating to water
- Impact (n): an effect or result
- swamp(n): a lowland region that is saturated by water
- withstand (v): to resist
- decline (v): gradually drop, become smaller
- hatch (v): to come out of an egg
- tolerate (v): to deal with something unpleasant or annoying, or to continue existing despite bad or difficult conditions
- prevent (v) : to stop something from happening or someone from doing something
True/False
Statements:
1. Acid
rain can occur as snow or fog, not just rain.
2. Normal
rain has a pH of 7.
3. Human
activities are the primary cause of acid rain.
4. Most fish eggs cannot hatch when the PH drop to 5.
5. Acidic rain water can drain aluminum away from soil clay particles.
6. Acid
rain affects aquatic ecosystems by increasing aluminum absorption.
7. The higher acid rain drops into the ecosystem, the lower aluminum is released.
8. Acid
rain only harms aquatic animals.
9. If one part of the ecosystem is affected, the rest will be affected too.
10. Acid is not harmful to human.
