Acid Rain: Formation, Effects, and Prevention

Study Notes

Acid rain, also known as acid deposition, refers to any type of precipitation with high amounts of sulfuric, carbonic, and nitric acids.
Acid rain can occur in various forms, including liquid, snow, dry materials, and micro particles.

Acid rain forms through a complex chemical process involving the reaction between water and compounds like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
Emissions of nitrogen and sulfur particles into the atmosphere can occur naturally, but most are man-made, resulting from the burning of fossil fuels and other substances in power plants.
These compounds dissolve in rainwater, forming sulfuric acid and other acidic solutions.

Wet deposition: Acidic precipitation falls to the ground in the form of snow, rain, sleet, or other forms of precipitation.
Dry deposition: Acidic particles settle on surfaces, causing corrosion, without requiring precipitation.

Acid rain can affect the ecosystem, animals, plants, and other components in the environment, causing short-term or long-term effects.
Effects on the environment:
- Pollutes water systems, making them toxic to aquatic animals.
- Affects plant growth and forest cover.
Effects on plants:
- Damages plant leaves and roots, altering biological processes.
- Causes minerals and nutrients to leach faster through the soil, preventing plant growth.
- Causes aluminum toxicity, leading to stunted growth and other complications.
Effects on humans:
- No direct effect, but indirect effects on the environment can affect human health.
- Can cause metals to dissolve into water systems, making them toxic.
- Can corrode and damage architectural structures, leading to costly repairs.
- Can cause respiratory problems like pneumonia, asthma, and bronchitis.

Reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and other pollutants can prevent acid rain.
Using wind or solar energy to generate electricity can lower the amount of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere.
Restricting the use of fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy sources can help prevent acid rain.