4. Rainfall made sufficiently acidic by atmospheric
pollution that it causes environmental harm,
typically to forests and lakes.
It means that it possesses elevated levels of
hydrogen ions (low pH). It can have harmful
effects on plants, aquatic animals, and
infrastructure.
5.
6.
7. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxide, which react with the water
molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.
Nitrogen oxides can also be produced naturally by
lightning strikes and sulfur dioxide is produce by
volcanic eruptions.
The chemicals in acid rain can cause paint to
peel, corrosion of steel structures, and erosion of
stone statues.
8.
9.
10.
11. Increased amounts of nitrous oxide & sulphur dioxide
in the air do contribute to heart and lung problems
including asthma and bronchitis.
The environmental effect of acid rain has been the
loss of fish in acid sensitive lakes and streams. Acid
rain has eliminated insect life and some fish species,
including the brook trout and creeks in some lakes,
streams etc.
12.
13. At pHs lower than 5 most fish eggs will not hatch and
lower pHs can kill adult fish. It reduces the alkalinity
and increases the acidity of the water.
Chronic acidification may reduce the levels of
nutrients such as calcium, which may weaken the
fish and other plants.
Acid rain may remove soil nutrients such as calcium
and magnesium from soils in high elevation forests.
In spring when the snow melts, it will be more
acidic than normal.
14.
15.
16.
17. Vehicle emissions control reduces emissions of
nitrogen oxides from motor vehicles.
Fluidized bed combustion also reduces the amount
of sulfur emitted by power production.
A wet scrubber is basically a reaction tower
equipped with a fan that extracts hot smoke stack
gases from a power plant into the tower.
Lime or limestone in slurry form is also injected into
the tower to mix with the stack gases and combine
with the sulfur dioxide present.