Acid Rain Effects and Formation

What is a significant effect of acid rain on soil health?

Acid rain can have a pH lower than 4 without harming aquatic animals.

List one way acid rain impacts human health.

Acid rain can cause metals to __________ due to corrosion.

Match the following impacts of acid rain with their corresponding areas:

Which of the following measures can help reduce the impact of acid rain?

Increasing the use of hydroelectric power can help reduce acid rain.

What is the usual pH range of acid rain?

One primary cause of acid rain is the emissions of __________ and __________ oxides.

Explain one way acid rain affects agricultural productivity.

Acid Rain

Acid rain is harmful to the environment and human health
Acid rain washes away essential nutrients and minerals from the soil
Soil biology and chemistry are damaged, some microbes are killed
Acidic water damages plants, harming bark, leaves, and root hairs.
Affects agricultural production, crops like barley, cotton, and fruit trees are badly affected.
Lowers the pH of waterways harming marine wildlife
Most aquatic animals cannot survive in water with a pH less than 4
Some fish species die when pH drops below 5.5
Metals corrode easily when exposed to acid rain
Textile, leather, and paper products lose strength or disintegrate
Human health can be affected by acid rain- impacting nervous, respiratory and digestive systems.
Wipes out beneficial bacteria and algae, disrupting ecosystems
Building materials (marble, limestone, etc.) are weakened

Formation of Nitric Acid

Nitrogen and oxygen from the air react at high temperatures to form nitric oxide (NO)
Nitric oxide is further oxidized by oxygen in the air forming nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide interacts with rainwater forming nitric acid

Reducing Acid Rain Impacts

Reduce burning of fossil fuels and use alternative energy sources (hydroelectric, solar)
Fit catalytic converters to vehicles to reduce nitric oxide emissions
Use coal and petroleum with low sulfur content
Employ air filters, scrubbers, and smoke precipitators to control industrial air pollution.

Explore the causes and consequences of acid rain, a pressing environmental issue affecting both ecosystems and human health. This quiz covers the formation of nitric acid and how acid rain impacts soil, plants, water bodies, and various materials. Test your knowledge about its harmful effects and the science behind this phenomenon.