Acid rain is formed when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released from fossil fuel combustion react with water, oxygen and sunlight in the atmosphere to form acids. These acids can be carried long distances by wind before falling to Earth as rain, snow, or dry deposition. Acid rain damages ecosystems by acidifying soils and water bodies, causing trees and fish to die off. It also erodes buildings and statues. While some areas produce more pollution leading to acid rain, the effects are often felt in other downwind regions.
1. The branch on the left is from a tree in the Black Forest in Germany. What has caused it to change colour and shape?
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3. The Formation of Acid Rain Burn fossil fuels in Transport, Industry, Homes, power stations The rest reacts with sunlight and ozone in the atmosphere; nitric (HNO 3 ), and sulphuric acid (H 2 SO 4) are produced Gas, Oil, Coal Some falls back to Earth close to the source as dry particles, gas and aerosols (NO x and SO 2 ) (dry deposition) NO 2 SO 2 It is dissolved in the moisture in the atmosphere making 2H + and SO 4 2 _ and can be carried large distances before falling as rain or snow (wet deposition) TRANSBOUNDARY POLLUTION H 2 O H + NO 3 _ SO 4 2 _
7. The Result Acids activate aluminium from the soil which leaches into water and fish die. Drinking water is contaminated This stand of trees near Most, Czech Republic, has completely died. Buildings and precious stone objects are weathered away as the stone reacts with the acid When soil is contaminated, cereal (arable) production drops
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