Using the Internet as your primary source of information, write a three-paragrap

Question

Using the Internet as your primary source of information, write a three-paragraph discussion on "acid rain". Make sure to include in your discussion the following points:

What is acid rain

The Causes of acid rain

Effects of acid rain on vegetation, water quality, man-made objects (buildings, etc), humans

What are the solutions to the acid rain problem?

Using the Internet as your primary source of information, write a three-paragraph discussion on "acid rain". Make sure to include in your discussion the following points:

What is acid rain

The Causes of acid rain

Effects of acid rain on vegetation, water quality, man-made objects (buildings, etc), humans

What are the solutions to the acid rain problem?

Explanation / Answer

Acid rain was discovered in 19th century in Europe which was evident from more acidity level in rain near the industrial areas. Now, we have to know, what is acid rain? Acid rain is a rain that is contaminated by SO2 and NOX which are coming from various sources to the atmosphere. By dissolving these chemicals in the atmospheric water, it becomes more acidic than normal non-polluted rain water. pH value or hydrogen ions concentration of acid rain is below 5.6. So it is highly acidic in nature. Acid rain may be two types- 1) wet depositions like acid rain, snow etc. and 2) dry depositions like depositions as particulate matter(less than PM 2.5).

So, what are those factors which causes acid rain? The main ingredients which causes acid rain are- sulphuric acid and oxides of nitrogen. There are natural and antropogenic sources of acid pollutants in acid rain. Natural sources: Volcanic eruptions, sea spray etc produces SO2 naturally and NOX or oxides of nitrogen are produced naturally by volcanic eruption, lightening, bacterial action etc. Anthropogenic sources: power plants and industrial sources causes the emission of SO2 and automobiles and industrial emissions causes the enhancement of NOX in the atmosphere. When SO2 and NOX reach to the atmosphere then they come in conatct with sunlight,
ozone, oxygen and converted into higher oxides. These oxides combine with moisture particles and
form sulphuric acid and nitric acid which have adverse affects on our environment. These pollutants may remain in the atmosphere for days and then transported to a long distances by moving air masses or, may precipitates on earth surface rapidly near the source area.

Effects of acid rain: 1) Effects on soil: Due to acid rain, nitrate level in the soil increases. Excess nitrogen causes eutrophication. Acid rain enhances the leaching of nutrients from the soil, and increases toxic metal in the soil. Acid rain has affect on seed growth, seed germination etc. Thus, vegetation is also affected. So, as the soil chemistry get changed so agricultural field is also affected. 2) Effects on water quality : Acidification increases release of aluminium, zinc, lead, manganese from surrounding rocks causes pollution to water of lake, streams etc. Thus these water become toxic to aquatic animals like fishes, animals with calcareous skeleton (coral, mollusks) etc. 3) Effects on plants: Acid rain reduces photosysthesis and growth of different plants. Due to acidification a disease called dieback occur in which the leaf becomes brown in colour and also causes leaf fall off. Fruit production also get reduced due to acid rain. 4) Health effects: Acid rain effect the asthma patients and particulate deposition of acid rain as less than PM 2.5 can causes lung cancer also. 5)Effects on man made structures: It causes deterioration of buildings, monuments which are made of marble like Tajmahal. Due to acid rain fading of paint, corrosion of building also occur.

Solutions of acid rain: 1) Emission of SO2 and NOx from different industries, power plants, vehicles should be reduced by using pollution control equipments. Alternative energies like wind, air, wave sholud be used instead of using of fossil fuel. 2) Liming or addition of limestone to lakes and soils should be done to reduce the acidity level in the water body. 3) Acid resistant wall paints should be used to paint the building.

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