ACID RAIN: Its Environmental Impacts
Acid Rain: its Environmental Impacts
Earth is surrounded by an atmosphere that plays a role in maintaining the balance of life here. This gaseous covering has promoted growth and participated in the proliferation of organisms in unique ways.
Unfortunately, Humans, the supposed protector of Mother Earth, are the ones destroying her - her own children is her biggest enemy.
We have polluted our own home. And now, we are suffering the consequences.
What is Acid Rain and How is it formed?
Acid rain (wet deposition) is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) when released into the atmosphere react with water vapor in the atmosphere, forming mild solutions of sulfuric and nitric acid which makes the water vapor acidic, which is then deposited to the surface of Earth through precipitation such as rain, snow or sleet.
Naturally, rainwater is slightly acidic because of the formation of Carbonic acid (H2CO3), this compound is produced when water (H2O) reacts with Carbon Dioxide (CO2). However, acid rain precipitates are more acidic.
The major sources of SO2 and NOX in the atmosphere are the Burning of fossil fuels to generate energy, Emission from Vehicles and heavy equipment, Oil refineries and other industries, and from Natural sources such as volcanoes.
pH
The pH is a measurement of how acidic, basic or neutral is an aqueous solution. A pH less than 7 is acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline while acid rain usually has a pH between 4.2 and 4.4.
Our aquatic ecosystems are very sensitive and if the pH level is changed drastically due to acid rain, some of the plants and aquatic animals living in these acidic lakes and streams cannot survive, resulting in lakes with no fish.
Forms of Acid Deposition
Wet Deposition
Wet deposition is what we most commonly known as acid rain. The sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.
Dry Deposition
Acidic particles and gases may also deposit to the surfaces (water bodies, vegetation, buildings) from the atmosphere in the absence of moisture as dry deposition. When the accumulated acidic particles are washed off a surface by the next rain, this acidic water flows over and through the ground, and can harm plants and wildlife, such as insects and fish.
The amount of the acidity present on earth's atmosphere through dry deposition depends on the amount of rainfall an area receives.
Effects of Acid Rain and Deposition
Decline of Animal Populations.
Acid rain makes water acidic, and causes them to absorb the aluminum when the acidic water infiltrates the soil into lakes and streams. This makes waters toxic to crayfish, clams, fish, and other aquatic animals. Thin-shelled eggs prevent bird reproduction because is the soil is acidic, calcium is unavailable. Fish eggs cannot hatch in waters with a pH level lower than five .
Forest decline
Acid rain damages forests by dissolving nutrients in the soil before the plants can use them. At higher elevations, acid rain erodes essential nutrients of the soil then releases aluminum, which makes it hard for trees to survive. This is because when acid rain falls into the soil it leeches on aluminum which is harmful to plant life and animals. Also, when acid rain falls into the soil, it strips minerals and nutrients from it and can no longer provide for the plants that rely on it to grow. The leaves of plants and trees are also harmed by acids.
Destruction of Rock formations and Sculptures
Sulfuric and nitric acid is very soluble in water, acids in acid rain promotes the dissolution of calcium carbonate by reacting with the carbonate anion, therefore the destruction limestone formation and crumbling of sculptures made with minerals and rocks.
How to prevent acid rain?
The only way to fight acid rain is by suppressing the release of the pollutants that cause it. Reducing our energy consumption to minimize the burning of fossil fuels. Mitigating our emission of Air pollutants into the atmosphere will greatly impact our environment.
Every single one of us can help by reducing our energy consumption. The less electricity we use, the fewer power plants will burn coal and emit pollutant. Vehicles are also major sources of air pollution, we can reduce vehicle emissions by occasionally using public transportation, carpooling, biking, or simply walking wherever possible.
THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!
Image Sources: [1], [2], [3, 4], [5]
References:
https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what-acid-rain
http://blog.sciencescore.com/what-causes-acid-rain/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/acid-rain/
https://blog.epa.gov/acidrain/2010/04/what-is-acid-rain/https://blog.epa.gov/acidrain/2010/04/what-is-acid-rain/
Interesting article. Acid rain creates a domino effect of massive destruction if not prevented or addressed properly. I wonder if there's an acid rain, is it possible to have alkaline rain? :D
Generally speaking, rain is a weak acid and depending on the absorb composition it can range from slightly acidic to very acidic thus causing acid rain.
If you look at its chemical composition, as rain water falls down from the sky it then absorbs CO2 from the air and likewise CO2 in the air dissolves rain water forming H2CO3, or Carbonic Acid
However there are cases where rain can be alkaline like what happen in Tibetan (you can read the article here), so yes it is possible to have alkaline rain. :D
As i've mention earlier, it depends on the absorb emission, let's say emissions from factories that contains large amounts of alkaline compounds and on the process of precipitation it may produce alkaline rain or basin rain. hehe
In your opinion, would alkaline rain be more dangerous than acid rain?
acid rain is much more dangerous than alkaline rain. :)
Depends on our emissions. Maybe if we emit compounds that will react with water vapor to produce alkaline aqueous solutions 😂
Great article. I think that all by human being
Easiest solution to reduce or prevent acid rain is by using alternative fuels and to stop using nonrenewable fuels. Daghan naman pd mga renewable sources of energy rn sa ato technology like solar, hydro and such. :)
Sakto jd kaau ya
this is sooo sad. i hope people would protect our environment instead of contributing in creating further damage to mother Earth. After all, tayo rin naman makikinabang dito. i hope we all realize it before it's too late
how close are we in danger ?