Acid rain PPT.pptx science topic continuing professional development

Acid rain

1. A cid R ain- Causes of acid rain What is Acid Rain ? Acid Rain, as the name suggests, can be said to be the precipitation of acid in the form of rain in the simplest manner. When atmospheric pollutants like oxides of nitrogen and Sulphur react with rainwater and come down with the rain, then this results in Acid Rain. Acid Rain Definition Acid rain is made up of highly acidic water droplets due to air emissions, most specifically the disproportionate levels of Sulphur and nitrogen emitted by vehicles and manufacturing processes. It is often called acid rain as this concept contains many types of acidic precipitation. The acidic deposition takes place in two ways: wet, and dry. Wet deposition is any form of precipitation which removes acids from the atmosphere and places them on the surface of the earth. In the absence of precipitation, dry deposition of polluting particles and gases sticks to the ground through dust and smoke

2. Causes of Acid Rain The causes of acid rain are  Sulphur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with the wet components of rain . Sulphur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with water are found in two ways either man-made i.e. as the emissions are given out from industries or by natural causes like how a lightning strike in the atmosphere releases nitrogen ions and Sulphur is released from volcanic eruptions. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, which considers him the “father of acid rain,” the word acid rain was invented in 1852 by Scottish chemist Robert Angus Smith. Smith decided on the word while studying rainwater chemistry near industrial towns in England and Scotland. The regular clean rain we experience, even though it is not clean i.e. water and carbon dioxide react together to form weak  carbonic acid  which essentially by itself is not extremely harmful. The reaction occurring is: H 2 O (l) + CO 2  (g) ⇌ H 2 CO 3  ( aq )

3. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide undergo oxidation, and then they react with water resulting in the formation of sulphuric acid and nitric acid, respectively. The following reaction will clarify the acid formation reaction: 2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) + 2H2O (l) → 2H2SO4 (aq) 4NO2 (g) + O2 (g) + 2H2O (l) → 4HNO3 (aq)

4. Effects of Acid Rain Acid rain is very harmful to agriculture, plants, and animals. It washes away all nutrients which are required for the growth and survival of plants. Acid rain affects agriculture by the way it alters the composition of the soil .

5. It causes respiratory issues in animals and humans. When acid rain falls down and flows into the rivers and ponds it affects the aquatic ecosystem. It alters the chemical composition of the water, to a form which is actually harmful to the aquatic ecosystem to survive and causes water pollution. Acid rain also causes the corrosion of water pipes, which further results in leaching of heavy  metals  such as iron, lead and copper into drinking water. It damages the buildings and monuments made up of stones and metals.

6. Real-Life Examples Taj Mahal , one of the 7 wonders of the world, is largely affected by acid rain. The city of Agra has many industries which emit the oxides of Sulphur and nitrogen in the atmosphere. People continue to use low-quality coal and firewood as a domestic fuel, adding to this problem. Acid rain has the following reaction with the marble ( calcium carbonate ): CaCO 3  +  H 2 SO 4  → CaSO 4   + H 2 O + CO 2 

7. The formation of calcium sulphate results in the corrosion of this beautiful monument. Statue of Liberty  which is made of copper has also been damaged by the cumulative action of acid rain and oxidation for over 30 years and is, therefore, becoming green.

8. Prevention of Acid Rain The only precaution that we can take against acid rain is having a check at the emission of oxides of nitrogen and Sulphur. Acid rain is harmful to animals, plants and the monuments. Being responsible citizens, one should be aware of the harmful effects they cause and of the industries which give out nitrogen and Sulphur compound wastes unethically

9. Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs What is acid rain and how is it caused ? Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds such as Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are released into the air. These substances can rise very high up into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants called acid rain. atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants called acid rain . What are the effects of acid rain? The ecological consequences of acid rain are seen most strongly in marine habitats, such as streams, lakes and marshes where fish and other wildlife can be toxic. Acidic rainwater can leach aluminum from soil clay particles as it flows through the soil and then floods into streams and lakes.

10. What will happen if we don’t stop acid rain ? Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are the principal chemicals for acid rain. It can also influence humans since the acid goes into fruits, vegetables and animals. In other words, we can get really sick if acid rain doesn’t stop, and we eat those things. In general, the acid rain affects men, but not directly .

11. What is acid rain What are its harmful effects? It has been shown that acid rain has detrimental effects on trees, freshwaters and soils, destroys insects and aquatic life-forms, causes paint to peel, corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and weathering of stone buildings and sculptures, as well as impacts on human health

12. What are three ways to reduce acid rain? Alternative energy sources should be used, such as solar and wind power. Renewable sources of energy are helping to reduce acid rain, as they produce much fewer emissions. There are other electricity sources as well, such as nuclear power, hydropower, and geothermal energy. Among these, the most extensive use is among nuclear and hydropower.

13. What is Acid Rain? Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.  This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic.   What Causes Acid Rain?

14. This image illustrates the pathway for acid rain in our environment: (1) Emissions of SO2 and NOx are released into the air, where (2) the pollutants are transformed into acid particles that may be transported long distances. (3) These acid particles then fall to the earth as wet and dry deposition (dust, rain, snow, etc.) and (4) may cause harmful effects on soil, forests, streams, and lakes. Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NO X ) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents. The SO 2  and NO X  react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids.  These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground. While a small portion of the SO 2  and NO X  that cause acid rain is from natural sources such as volcanoes, most of it comes from the burning of fossil fuels.  The major sources of SO 2  and NO X  in the atmosphere are: Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity.  Two thirds of SO 2  and one fourth of NO X  in the atmosphere come from electric power generators. Vehicles and heavy equipment. Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries .

15. Winds can blow SO 2  and NO X  over long distances and across borders making acid rain a problem for everyone and not just those who live close to these sources . 

16. Forms of Acid Deposition Wet Deposition Wet deposition is what we most commonly think of as  acid rain . The sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.  

17. Measuring Acid Rain Acidity and alkalinity are measured using a pH scale for which 7.0 is neutral. The lower a substance's pH (less than 7), the more acidic it is; the higher a substance's pH (greater than 7), the more alkaline it is. Normal rain has a pH of about 5.6; it is slightly acidic because carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) dissolves into it forming weak carbonic acid.  Acid rain usually has a pH between 4.2 and 4.4.

18. What are 3 effects of acid rain ? It has been shown that acid rain has detrimental effects on trees, freshwaters and soils, destroys insects and aquatic life-forms, causes paint to peel, corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and weathering of stone buildings and sculptures, as well as impacts on human health.  

19. Why is acid rain harmful? Acid rain can be extremely harmful to forests.  Acid rain that seeps into the ground can dissolve nutrients, such as magnesium and calcium, that trees need to be healthy . Acid rain also causes aluminum to be released into the soil, which makes it difficult for trees to take up water.

20. What is the main causes of acid rain? Acid rain is caused by  a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air . These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain.

21. What are the 3 types of acid rain? Acid rain is a type of acid deposition, which can appear in many forms.  Wet deposition is rain, sleet, snow, or fog that has become more acidic than normal.   Dry deposition  is another form of acid deposition, and this is when gases and dust particles become acidic.  

22. What pH is acid rain? 4.0 However, when rain combines with sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides—produced from power plants and automobiles—the rain becomes much more acidic.  Typical acid rain has a pH value of 4.0 . A decrease in pH values from 5.0 to 4.0 means that the acidity is 10 times greater.  

23. This figure illustrates the pH level at which key organisms may be lost as their environment becomes more acidic. Not all fish, shellfish, or the insects that they eat can tolerate the same amount of acid.

24. The Effects of Acid Rain on Ecosystems Effects of Acid Rain on Fish and Wildlife The ecological effects of acid rain are most clearly seen in aquatic environments, such as streams, lakes, and marshes where it can be harmful to fish and other wildlife. As it flows through the soil, acidic rain water can leach aluminum from soil clay particles and then flow into streams and lakes. The more acid that is introduced to the ecosystem, the more aluminum is released.

25. Effects of Acid Rain on Plants and Trees Dead or dying trees are a common sight in areas effected by acid rain. Acid rain leaches aluminum from the soil.  That aluminum may be harmful to plants as well as animals. Acid rain also removes minerals and nutrients from the soil that trees need to grow. 

26. Buffering Capacity Many forests, streams, and lakes that experience acid rain don’t suffer effects because the soil in those areas can  buffer  the acid rain by neutralizing the acidity in the rainwater flowing through it. This capacity depends on the thickness and composition of the soil and the type of bedrock underneath it. In areas such as mountainous parts of the Northeast United States, the soil is thin and lacks the ability to adequately neutralize the acid in the rain water. As a result, these areas are particularly vulnerable and the acid and aluminum can accumulate in the soil, streams, or lakes.

27. Episodic Acidification Melting snow and heavy rain downpours can result in what is known as episodic acidification. Lakes that do not normally have a high level of acidity may temporarily experience effects of acid rain when the melting snow or downpour brings greater amounts of acidic deposition and the soil can’t buffer it. This short duration of higher acidity (i.e., lower pH) can result in a short-term stress on the ecosystem where a variety of organisms or species may be injured or killed .

28. Nitrogen Pollution It’s not just the acidity of acid rain that can cause problems. Acid rain also contains nitrogen, and this can have an impact on some ecosystems. For example, nitrogen pollution in our coastal waters is partially responsible for declining fish and shellfish populations in some areas. In addition to agriculture and wastewater, much of the nitrogen produced by human activity that reaches coastal waters comes from the atmosphere.

29. Effects of Acid Rain on Materials Not all acidic deposition is  wet . Sometimes dust particles can become acidic as well, and this is called  dry deposition . When acid rain and dry acidic particles fall to earth, the nitric and sulfuric acid that make the particles acidic can land on statues, buildings, and other manmade structures, and damage their surfaces. The acidic particles corrode metal and cause paint and stone to deteriorate more quickly. They also dirty the surfaces of buildings and other structures such as monuments.

30. Other Effects of SO 2  and NO X Visibility In the atmosphere, SO 2  and NO X  gases can be transformed into sulfate and nitrate particles, while some NO X  can also react with other pollutants to form ozone. These particles and ozone make the air hazy and difficult to see through. This affects our enjoyment of national parks that we visit for the scenic view such as Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains Human Health Walking in acid rain, or even swimming in a lake affected by acid rain, is no more dangerous to humans than walking in normal rain or swimming in non-acidic lakes. However, when the pollutants that cause acid rain —SO 2  and NO X,  as well as sulfate and nitrate particles— are in the air, they can be harmful to humans. SO 2  and NO X  react in the atmosphere to form fine sulfate and nitrate particles that people can inhale into their lungs.  Many scientific studies have shown a relationship between these particles and effects on heart function, such as heart attacks resulting in death for people with increased heart disease risk, and effects on lung function, such as breathing difficulties for people with asthma.

31. SOLUTIONS AND PREVENTION SOLUTIONS AND PREVENTION There are several solutions to stopping human-caused acid rain. Regulating the emissions coming from vehicles and buildings is an important step, according to the EPA. This can be done by restricting the use of fossil fuels and focusing on more  renewable energy  sources such as solar and wind power. Also, each person can do their part by reducing their vehicle use. Using public transportation, walking, riding a bike or carpooling is a good start, according to the EPA. People can also reduce their use of electricity, which is widely created with  fossil fuels , or switch to a solar plan. Many electricity companies offer solar packages to their customers that require no installation and low costs. 

32. A helicopter dumps lime into a lake to neutralize the acid, in the vicinity of Gothenburg, Sweden (Image credit: Getty Images / Universal Images Group) It is also possible to prevent acid rain forming, by adding lime deposits to major water sources. This method has been used to neutralize the Ph. levels in the water, which reduced the acidity