Acid rain - Causes , effects and remediation

This presentation tells about the causes and effects of acid rain and also the remediation measures.

1. S.G.Mohanapourani, 2015006028, B.Sc., Horticulture, HC&RIW, Trichy ACID RAIN : CAUSES,EFFECTS AND REMEDIATION

2. Acid rain refers to the deposition of acidic components in either wet or dry forms Acid rain is basically rain that has a higher than normal acid level (low pH). Natural acid rain can be caused by volcanic emissions and b iological processes

3. Forms of acid rain : Wet deposition Dry deposition

4. Wet Deposition: When the wind blows the acidic chemicals in the air to the areas where the weather is wet, the acids fall to the ground in the form of rain, sleet, fog, snow or mist. Dry Deposition: If the wind blows the acidic chemicals in the air to the areas where the weather is dry, the acidic pollutants slip into dust or smoke and fall to the ground as dry particles.

5. Causes of acid rain Natural causes : Volcanic emissions Decaying vegetation Wildfires Biological processes

6. Man-made sources Human activities Automobiles and factories Electric power generation by burning coal

7. Effects of Acid Rain Effect on Aquatic Environment: Species including fish, plant and insect types in some lakes, rivers and brooks have been reduced

8. Effect on Forests: Makes trees vulnerable to disease, extreme weather insects Forest damage due to acid rain is most evident in Eastern Europe – especially Germany, Poland and Switzerland.

9. Effect on Soil: highly impacts on soil chemistry and biology soil microbes and biological activity as well as soil chemical compositions such as soil pH are damaged

10. Vegetation Cover and Plantations: lead to stunted growth and even death of some forests and vegetation cover.

11. Effect on Architecture and Buildings: Acid rain on buildings, especially those constructed with limestone, react with the minerals and corrode them away. Modern buildings, cars, airplanes, steel bridges and pipes are all affected by acid rain.

12. Effect on Public Health: Intensified levels of acid depositions in dry form in the air can cause lung and heart problems such as bronchitis and asthma.

13. Solutions to Acid Rain : Reducing Acid Rain Understand acid deposition’s causes and effects Clean up smokestacks and exhaust pipes Use alternative energy sources Restore a damaged environment Look to the future Take action as individuals

14. REFERENCES: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/acid-rain-1a.jpg http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/phfield.gif http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_rain http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/surface_water.html