<–2/”>a >The pH of natural rain is found to be in the range from 5 to 7. The term Acid Rain is customarily applied to Precipitation with a pH below 5. Such low pH values are generally possible only in the presence of large amounts of anthropogenic pollution.
Sulphuric acid and nitric acid is considered as the principal agents responsible for acid rain. But the major culprit are human beings. Smokes emitted from the industries is the major source of sulphur dioxide whereas smokes emitted from the motor vehicle is the major source of nitrogen oxide. These emissions mixed with atmospheric moisture form the sulphuric acid and nitric acids which, sooner or later precipitate on earth in various form.
It has been known since the 1960s that the high concentrations of H2NO3 and H2SO4 in acid rain are due to atmospheric oxidation of NO and SO emitted by fossil fuel combustion.
The harmful effects of Acid Rain includes the following:
The Soil may turn acidic adversely affecting plant Growth;
The fertility status of the soil may be reduced or totally lost.
The forests and other vegetation may also be badly affected by acid rain.
It may cause skin and eyes diseases in Humans.,
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has a pH below 5.6. Most rainwater is naturally slightly acidic, with a pH between 5.6 and 6.5, due to carbon dioxide in the Atmosphere which forms carbonic acid when it dissolves in water. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These emissions react with water, Oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. These acids then fall to the Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or fog.
Acid rain can have a number of negative effects on the Environment. It can damage trees and other Plants, making them more susceptible to disease and pests. It can also kill fish and other aquatic life in lakes and streams. Acid rain can also corrode buildings and other structures, and it can even damage human Health.
There are a number of things that can be done to reduce acid rain. One is to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants and other sources. Another is to plant trees, which can absorb some of the acids in the atmosphere. We can also use cleaner sources of energy, such as solar and wind power, which do not produce these emissions.
Acid rain has been a problem for many years, but there has been progress in reducing its levels. In the United States, for example, emissions of sulfur dioxide have been reduced by more than 50% since the 1970s. This has led to a decrease in the acidity of rain and snow across the country.
However, acid rain is still a problem in many parts of the world. In Europe, for example, acid rain is estimated to cost the economy billions of dollars each year in damage to forests, lakes, and other natural Resources.
There is still more that we need to do to address the problem of acid rain. We need to continue to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. We also need to invest in research to develop new technologies that can help us to further reduce these emissions. And we need to educate the public about the dangers of acid rain and the importance of taking action to prevent it.
Acid rain is a serious problem, but it is one that we can solve. By working together, we can reduce emissions, protect our environment, and ensure a healthy future for our planet.
History of acid rain
The first scientific reports of acid rain were published in the late 1800s. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the problem of acid rain began to be widely recognized. In the 1970s, the United States and Canada began to take steps to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, the main pollutants that cause acid rain. These efforts have been successful in reducing the levels of acid rain in North America.
In Europe, acid rain was first recognized as a problem in the 1970s. The European Union has since taken steps to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These efforts have also been successful in reducing the levels of acid rain in Europe.
Acid rain is also a problem in Asia, South America, and Africa. In these regions, the main sources of acid rain are emissions from coal-fired power plants. Efforts to reduce emissions in these regions are still in their early stages.
Acid rain in the United States
Acid rain is a serious problem in the United States. The National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) estimates that acid rain costs the U.S. economy billions of dollars each year in damage to forests, lakes, and other Natural Resources.
The main sources of acid rain in the United States are emissions from coal-fired power plants. These emissions are transported by the wind and can fall hundreds of miles from their source.
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 set limits on emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants. These limits have helped to reduce the levels of acid rain in the United States. However, acid rain is still a problem in many parts of the country.
Acid rain in Europe
Acid rain is also a serious problem in Europe. The European Environment Agency estimates that acid rain costs the European economy billions of euros each year in damage to forests, lakes, and other natural resources.
The main sources of acid rain in Europe are emissions from coal-fired power plants and from vehicles. These emissions are transported by the wind and can fall hundreds of miles from their source.
The European Union has taken steps to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These efforts have been successful in reducing the levels of acid rain in Europe. However, acid rain is still a problem in many parts of the continent.
What is Climate change?
Climate Change is the long-term shifts in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. A region might experience lower or higher than Average temperatures. Climate change may cause more frequent and severe weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts.
What are the Causes of Climate Change?
The main cause of climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing it to warm. Greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere from a variety of sources, including burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation, deforestation, and agriculture.
What are the effects of climate change?
Climate change is already having a significant impact on the planet. The Earth’s average temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century. This warming is causing a number of changes, including rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, changes in plant and animal life, and melting Glaciers and ice sheets.
What can be done to address climate change?
There are a number of things that can be done to address climate change. These include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in RENEWABLE ENERGY sources, and improving Energy Efficiency. It is also important to adapt to the impacts of climate change that are already happening.
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy is energy that comes from sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important as the world looks for ways to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
What are the benefits of renewable energy?
There are a number of benefits to using renewable energy. Renewable energy sources are clean and do not produce greenhouse gases. They are also abundant and can be used to generate electricity, heat, and transportation fuels. Renewable energy can also help to create jobs and boost the economy.
What are the challenges of renewable energy?
There are a number of challenges to using renewable energy. Renewable energy sources can be intermittent, meaning that they do not always produce power when it is needed. They can also be more expensive than fossil fuels. However, the cost of renewable energy is decreasing as technology improves.
What is the future of renewable energy?
The future of renewable energy is bright. The cost of renewable energy is decreasing, and the technology is improving. Renewable energy is becoming increasingly important as the world looks for ways to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Here are some multiple choice questions about the environment:
Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas?
(A) Carbon dioxide
(B) Methane
(C) Nitrous oxide
(D) OxygenWhat is the main cause of deforestation?
(A) Agriculture
(B) Mining
(C) Urbanization
(D) TourismWhat is the largest ocean in the world?
(A) Pacific Ocean
(B) Atlantic Ocean
(C) Indian Ocean
(D) Arctic OceanWhat is the ozone layer?
(A) A layer of gas in the atmosphere that protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation
(B) A layer of ice in the Arctic that is melting due to climate change
(C) A layer of pollution in the air that causes smog
(D) A layer of dirt on the ground that is caused by erosionWhat is the Kyoto Protocol?
(A) An international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
(B) An international agreement to protect endangered species
(C) An international agreement to reduce POVERTY
(D) An international agreement to promote tradeWhat is the Paris Agreement?
(A) An international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
(B) An international agreement to protect endangered species
(C) An international agreement to reduce poverty
(D) An international agreement to promote tradeWhat is climate change?
(A) A change in the average weather patterns over a long period of time
(B) A change in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere
(C) A change in the average sea level of the Earth’s Oceans
(D) All of the aboveWhat are the main causes of climate change?
(A) Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels
(B) Natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions
(C) Both human activities and natural processes
(D) None of the aboveWhat are the main effects of climate change?
(A) Rising sea levels
(B) More extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and droughts
(C) Melting glaciers and ice sheets
(D) All of the aboveWhat can we do to reduce climate change?
(A) Reduce our reliance on fossil fuels
(B) Increase our use of renewable energy sources
(C) Plant trees
(D) All of the above
I hope these questions were helpful!