Rain is a major component of the water cycle as it is held responsible for depositing most of the fresh water on Earth. (EPA USA, 2014) It not only provides suitable conditions for various ecosystems, but also provides water for hydroelectric power plants and crop irrigation. (Andrei, 2012) However, since the start of industrialization in the 18th century, humans have been abusing such important features of life and created acid deposition. (The Ledger, 2014)
The pH scale is composed of values starting from zero, the most acidic, to 14.0, the most alkaline. (EPA USA, 2014) While regular rain has a pH value of around 5.6, acid rain has a pH value of around 4.0. The highest level of acidity of rain ever recorded was identical to the acidity of lemon juice, which is enough to irritate the human skin. (Andrei, 2012)
Most acid based chemistry often happens in water because the di hydrogen oxide is capable of being a base, accepting a proton from an acid, or being an acid, giving up a proton. (EPA USA, 2014) Naturally, acid rain is formed by a chemical reaction between sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, mixed with water molecules in the air. (Carr et al, 2010) The solution of acid rain soon reaches the Earth, and sinks into the soil. (National geographic, 2011)
While acid rain is a consequence of natural disasters, human activities such as burning of fossil fuel play a key role in the formation. (U.S. Department of State, 2007) The biggest problem with acid rain is that pollution cannot be contained by mere borders and therefore easily spread into other areas as well. Although nitrogen oxide is naturally present in the atmosphere, burning fossil fuels have been steadily increasing. (EPA, 2010) This resulted the increased comb...
... middle of paper ...
... Retrieved from: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6231-acid-rain-limits
Sarah Dowdey (2011) How acid rain works- Retrieved from: http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/acid-rain2.htm
The Ledger (2014) Erosion Fix Would Cost $43.4 Million. Retrieved from: http://www.theledger.com/article/20140415/news/140419502?tc=ar
U.S. Department of State (2007). Projected Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In: Fourth Climate Action Report to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change . U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC, USA. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html
Will Knight (2004) Acid rain limits global warming. Retrieved from: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6231-acid-rain-limits-globwarming.html#.U2v0svldV8l
ZME science (2012). Mihai Andrei Rain, Retreived from: http://www.zmescience.com/tag/rain/#!GANZy
Acid rain has a harmful impact on the environment which is a serious environmental problem that affects large parts of the United States and Canada. Acid rain is particularly damaging to lakes, streams, forests and the plants and animals that live in these ecosystems. Acid rain is referring to a mixture of wet and dry deposition from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. They are oxidized in the air until they are converted to sulfuric and nitric acids
past by local industries. Two of the most common environmental issues are acid rain and Air pollution. Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gasses in the air. It is a very disturbing and bothering topic in the United Kingdom. Air pollution was caused by the emissions from factories or from homes burning coal for heat. This smog covered over many cities and that lead to about 4,000 deaths in 1952. Acid rain is rain polluted by gasses released into the air by the burning of fossil fuels
the consequences of modern day pollution, acid rain is undoubtedly one of the major concerns. Because acid rain is capable of harming a wide range of both living and nonliving things, studying its various effects and the corresponding mechanisms can yield pertinent information, which can be used to combat its effects. Primarily, it is essential to distinguish acid rain from natural rain since rain is naturally acidic. Even in a clean environment, rain tends to be slightly acidic due to the presence
Acid rain is becoming an increasing dilemma due to pollution made from erupting volcanoes, rotting vegetation, and most importantly, the burning of fossil fuels. It has been linked to the corruption of lakes and streams, a decrease in fish and wildlife populations, and human health risks. Not only does it endanger aquatic fish and wildlife but acid rain is also known for the destruction of man-made structures. This phenomenon is becoming a growing concern as the consequences of human pollution are
what they don’t know is why, and how polluted it is. Acid Rain has been a leading addition to the pollution in our water supply today. Acid Rain comes in the form of rain, snow or fog and is polluted by acid in the atmosphere. In our environment perfect clean water has a pH of 7, acid rain has a pH of 5.5 and below, meaning it is very acidic. The air combines with mainly sulfur and nitrous oxide and makes the water in the air acidic. This acid precipitation then falls onto the environment making
soul was even thought of as a gas form. (Brimblecombe 2001, 35.) Due to the huge link between humans and the atmosphere, humans can have a huge impact on the atmosphere through a vast amount of ways; this can cause a number of problems including: Climate change, Smog, acid rain and other problems. One of the impacts Humans have on the atmosphere is acid rain. Pure rainfall is slightly acidic because it absorbs gas in the atmosphere; carbon... ... middle of paper ... ...world meteorological organisation
Acid Rain The topic of this paper is acid deposition, also known as acid Rain. Acid rain is precipitation, as rain, snow or sleet containing relatively high concentration of acid forming chemicals. As the pollutants from coal, smoke, chemical manufacturing, and smelting, that have been released into the atmosphere and combine with water vapor, the harmful deposition is created (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/acid+rain). Acid rain affects many things greatly. Acid rain affects many different
Rain occurs nature as part of the water cycle, but sometimes rain can do more harm than good. Acid rain can causes damage to plants, animals, and even structures. Acid rain occurs naturally without human interference, but since humans started to make objects that contribute to the creation of acid rain, it happens more frequently than if humans would not be involved. People not only raised the amount of acid rain that falls, they can also be the ones to bring the amount back down to reasonable levels
Environmental Impacts of Fossil Fuel Use One of the main issues involved with fossil fuels are the environmental impacts that occur from their use. These problems; such as acid rain, oil spills, climate change, global warming, etc., are not only occurring with fossil fuel usage, but are also increasing due to the increase in the use of fossil fuels. This essay will vaguely explain the area of environmental impacts from fossil fuel use, and will attempt to change, or further increase your understanding
motorcycle after it was sitting out in the rain. These effects are often caused by acid rain. Acid rain poses dangers to the environment, animals, and more. Acid rain is a form of acid deposition, and there are many types of acid deposition. Deposition is the process in which a gas turns into a solid matter. Types of wet acid deposition, which involves gases turning into liquids, include acid rain, sleet, snow, fog, and haze. Forms of dry acid deposition include acid gas and dust. Scientists and others
Acid rain has been proven to have damage forests, fresh waters and soils, killing insect and aquatic life-forms. It also causes damage to buildings and impacts on human health. Many people do not know what acid rain actually is. Acid rain is any form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, low pH levels, higher than normal amounts of sulfuric and nitric acid, occurs naturally and from man made sources. Forms when gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals (what is acid
What is acidity and some of its uses? Before I can define acidity I would like to define an acid. An acid is a word originated from an latin word acere meaning sour in English. The general characteristics of acids are 1. They taste sour. 2. They are corrosive to metals 3. They turn litmus paper red 4. They have a PH of 1 to 6. 5. Usually gases or liquids 6. Frequently feel sticky 7. Acids nuetralise bases to form slats and water 8. They react with active metals to form hydrogen 9. React
understand their impact on the natural world according to the American chemical society(ACS).. Funds are
The Impact Weathering Has Had on Human Activity Weathering has impacted human activity in a variety of ways. There are both positive and negative aspects of the result of weathering. Firstly, the negative impacts are to be discussed. Weathering often seems to be at a higher rate in urban areas than that of rural areas due to the large volumes of gases and pollution given out by industries and vehicles. When coal and oil are burnet sulphur dioxide is releases and when it combines with water
of the U.S. Acid rain looks, feels, and tastes just like clean rain. The harm to people from acid rain is not direct. Walking in acid rain, or even swimming in an acid lake, is no more dangerous than walking or swimming in clean water. However, the pollutants that cause acid rain do damage human health. These gases interact in the atmosphere to form fine sulfate and nitrate particles that can be transported long distances by winds and inhaled deep into people