What is acid rain?
Acid rain, more than just a catchy term, represents a concerning environmental phenomenon. Unlike the refreshing showers we welcome, this precipitation carries tiny drops laced with acidity, mainly sulfuric and nitric acids. The culprits? Fossil fuel emissions and industrial processes spewing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.
When these pollutants come into contact with water vapor, they change into acidic chemicals that return to Earth as dust, rain, snow, or fog. While nature contributes a small portion through volcanic eruptions, human activities remain the primary drivers.
It may involve the devastation of infrastructure, public health, and ecosystems. Because acid rain destroys buildings and monuments and endangers delicate aquatic life, it presents a gloomy picture of environmental imbalance.
Which one of the following causes acid rain?
One of the biggest environmental problems is this because it will damages the infrastructure and ecosystems. Here are the primary causes of this:
Primary Contributors:
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): This gas, primarily emitted from fossil fuel combustion in power plants and industrial facilities, is the key player in this formation. Sulfuric acid is produced when SO2 reacts with oxygen and moisture in the atmosphere, greatly increasing the acidity of rain.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): Similar to SO2, NOx emissions, primarily from car exhaust and industrial processes, react with air and water to create nitric acid, further acidifying precipitation.
Secondary Contributors:
Ammonia (NH3): While not directly forming acid, ammonia released from agricultural practices and animal waste can interact with other pollutants like NOx to enhance acid rain formation.
Natural Sources:
Volcanic eruptions and lightning strikes: These natural events can also release SO2 and NOx into the atmosphere, contributing to a minor portion of acidic rain.
What are 5 effects of acid rain?
What are the types of acid rain?
It isn’t one-size-fits-all. While the harmful effects remain consistent, its form can vary:
- Wet Deposition: The classic culprit, rain, sleet, snow, or fog carrying dissolved acids directly to Earth’s surface.
- Dry Deposition: Gas and dust particles containing acids settle on surfaces like leaves, buildings, and soil, impacting ecosystems and infrastructure.
- Occult Deposition: Fog and mist droplets carrying acids condense on objects, later releasing them as acidic drips.
- Episodic Acidification: Sudden downpours or snowmelt release stored acids from soil and vegetation, temporarily spiking acidity in water bodies.
