Acid rain 6
Acid rain 6Acid rain is a type of precipitation with high acidity caused by the polluted atmosphere. It comes down in different types of precipitation such as: rain, snow. hail, or sleet. Acid rain is gradually wearing down our environment, affecting countries in almost every continent.
One of the main causes of acid rain is sulphur dioxide. Natural sources which gives out these gases are volcanoes, sea spray, rotting vegetation and plankton. However, the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil causes approximately half of the emissions of this gas in the world. When sulphur dioxide reaches the atmosphere, it oxidizes to first form a sulphate ion. It then becomes sulphuric acid as it joins with hydrogen atoms in the air and falls back down to earth.
Nitric oxide and nitric dioxide are also components of acid rain. Its mainly caused by exhaust fumes. Like sulphur dioxide, the nitrogen oxides rise into the atmosphere and are oxidized in clouds to form nitric acid.
One of the most serious impacts of acid precipitation is on forests and soils. A lot of damages are being done when the sulphuric acid falls onto the earth as rain. All the nutrients in the soils are washed away making it hard for some plants to grow. The presence of nitrogen oxide and nitric oxide also can force trees to grow even though they do not have the necessary nutrients. The trees are sometimes forced to grow during late autumn when it is actually the time for them to prepare for severe winter weather.
One of the direct effects of acid rain is on lakes and the whole aquatic ecosystems. There are several ways the acidic chemicals can enter the lakes. Some exists as dry particles in the air while others enter the lakes as wet particles such as rain, snow, sleet, hail, dew, or fog. The presence of acid and chemicals in the lake causes a sudden change in the pH of the lakes. The aquatic ecosystem has no time to adjust to this sudden change. Also, many aquatic species lay their eggs in the water to hatch and the pH change is dangerous because the acids can cause serious damages in their young. The sulphuric acid in the water also affects the fishes in the lake. Sulphuric acid interferes with the fish's ability to take in oxygen, salt, and nutrients needed to stay alive. Fishes aren't the only aquatic species being harmed, other creatures living in lakes also take punishments.
Acid particles are also threat to buildings and statues. Corrosion will occur when acids are deposited onto it. For example, the capitol building in Ottawa has been disintegrating because of excess sulphur dioxide...
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