How does acid rain affect the environment? and what are its solutions ?

Rimal prep Girls School C | Occupied Palestinian Territory 15 May 2020

Acid rain: It is a type of precipitation that contains acids, most of which are formed due to the nitrogen and sulfur compounds resulting from human activities. The most important sources of acid rain are carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide in the presence of ultraviolet rays from the sun.

How is acid rain formed?

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with water, oxygen and other chemicals in the atmosphere, creating a chemical reaction during which the oxides are converted to sulfuric and nitric acids, which in turn mix with rain water forming a so-called acid rain.

The first note: that polluted gases are transported by air currents. Studies in Scandinavia confirm that the amount of sulfur gases is 2.0 times higher than that of its factories, and at the same time, the amount of sulfur gases in the atmosphere of some Western European countries, especially the United Kingdom, does not exceed 10- 20%. This means that these polluted gases are transported by air currents from Western Europe to Scandinavia and England.

The second note: The rain increases with time, as stated in the book "Pollution is the problem of the times", where studies indicate that the acidity of rain that fell over Sweden in 1982 was ten times higher than the acidity of rain that fell in 1969, where experts noted that the acidity of water is The rain increased alarmingly, while the pH of rain in Britain reached 4.5 in 1979, and in the same year in Canada it reached 3.8 and in Virginia to 1.5, where the pH of Virginia's rain was close to that of sulfur acid (battery acid) and in Scotland I reached 2.7 in 1977, and I arrived in Los Angeles on 3 in 1980. It is more acidic than vinegar and juice Lemon

What is the effect of acid rain on the environment?

1. Aquatic environments, such as streams, lakes, swamps, seas, etc., are most affected by acid rain, as they change their composition, potentially damaging fish, aquatic organisms, and other wildlife.

2. Acid rain contains nitrogen, which causes partial pollution in coastal waters, causing low numbers of fish and shellfish in these areas.

3. Acid rain filters aluminum from the soil, which is a harmful element for plants and animals.

4. These rains also remove the minerals and nutrients the trees need to grow from the soil.

5. Dead trees are a common sight in acid-affected areas, in addition to weakening the ability of trees to withstand 6. freezing temperatures in elevated areas, where leaves are stripped of nutrients and thus trees become less able to absorb sunlight.

6. Dry deposition damages the surfaces of statues, buildings, and other human-made structures. It causes paint and stone to deteriorate more quickly and contaminates the roofs of buildings and other structures, such as impacts with dust.

7.Acid rain affects human health and its vital organs. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide may interact in the atmosphere to form sulfate particles and fine nitrates that reach the lungs through breathing.

The solutions:

  • Removing sulfur from the flue gas and car exhaust.
  • Regulating emissions from cars and buildings.
  • Restrict the use of fossil fuels and focus on more sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind energy.
  • Use limestone or lime.
  • Educate and educate individuals on ways to conserve energy and reduce emissions.
  • International preventive measures and the role of environmental protection organizations in raising awareness and education.

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