7.7 Acid Rain
3 min read•january 8, 2023
Joshua Nielsen
Joshua Nielsen
Vocabulary
Acid Precipitation
Nitric Acid
Nitric Salts
Sulfates
Nitric Acid
Formation
(dry deposition) occurs when NOX (vehicles, burning coal) and sulfur dioxides (burning coal, volcanoes) are released to the atmosphere. These may react with naturally occurring and fall back to the ground as nitric salts and sulfates. This may be in the form of a gas, particulate, or aerosol.
Acid precipitation (acid rain/snow, wet deposition) is when NOX and SO2 undergo chemical reactions with water to form nitric acid (HNO3) and (H2SO4). The acids dissolve in rain and snow before falling to the ground.
Effects
Often the effects of acid precipitation and deposition are not felt by the areas that created them. Winds often carry the gases downwind creating a problem for other communities. Acid rain affects both the living and the non-living.
Plants that experience (dry or wet) suffer leaf damage and possible stunted growth. Damaged leaves reduce and may be more susceptible to disease.
Soils absorb the contaminated rains and have their pH lowered. This may lead to dissolving needed nutrients or releasing like aluminum.
The of bodies of water has also occurred. Acid rain lowers the pH of lakes, ponds, and rivers. This, in turn, harms (inability to release eggs and negative affecting gills).
You may have seen the effects of acid rain on old statues and gravestones. Some of the loss of features is due to acid dissolving the rock away.
There are regional soil differences that can mitigate the effects of acid rain. Soils that have calcium or limestone are able to neutralize some of the acids. Also if the bedrock is comprised of limestone or (both having a more basic pH) the acid may be neutralized.
Mitigation
These acids can be carried over long distances by winds and deposited onto the ground in the form of rain, snow, or other precipitation. Acid rain can have serious environmental and health impacts, including damaging forests and aquatic ecosystems, eroding buildings and statues, and contributing to respiratory problems in humans.
There are several ways to mitigate acid rain:
Reduce emissions of SO2 and NOx: This can be achieved through the use of cleaner technologies and fuels, such as natural gas instead of coal, and by implementing emission limits and standards.
Increase the efficiency of fossil fuel use: By using energy more efficiently, we can reduce the amount of fossil fuels that need to be burned, which in turn reduces SO2 and NOx emissions.
Promote the use of : , such as solar and wind power, do not produce SO2 or NOx emissions.
Plant trees and other vegetation: Trees and other vegetation absorb CO2 from the air and can help neutralize the effects of acid rain.
Increase the use of and other pollution control technologies: are devices that can remove SO2 and other pollutants from the emissions of power plants and other industrial facilities.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia
🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams
Key Terms to Review (11)
Acid Deposition
: Acid deposition refers to the process by which acidic pollutants, such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid, are deposited onto the Earth's surface through precipitation (rain, snow, fog) or dry deposition (particles settling on surfaces). This can have harmful effects on ecosystems and human health.Acidification
: Acidification refers to the process of increasing the acidity of a substance, such as water or soil, due to the addition of acidic pollutants. This can have harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems and plant life.Ammonia Gas
: Ammonia gas is a compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. It is commonly used in cleaning products and fertilizers, but it can be harmful to humans and the environment when released in large amounts.Aquatic Life
: Aquatic life refers to the organisms that live in water environments such as oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds. These can include fish, marine mammals, plants, and microorganisms.Calcium Carbonate (Limestone)
: Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound commonly found in rocks such as limestone. It is composed of calcium ions (Ca2+) and carbonate ions (CO32-) and plays a crucial role in various natural processes.Marble
: Marble is a metamorphic rock formed from limestone under intense heat and pressure over time. It is known for its unique veining patterns and is commonly used in architecture and sculpture.Photosynthesis
: Photosynthesis is the process through which green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose (sugar) and oxygen. It is vital for plant growth and releases oxygen into the atmosphere.Renewable Energy Sources
: Renewable energy sources are forms of energy derived from natural resources that can be replenished over time. Unlike fossil fuels which deplete over time, renewable energy sources offer sustainable alternatives to meet our energy needs while minimizing environmental impact.Scrubbers
: Scrubbers are air pollution control devices used in industries to remove harmful pollutants from exhaust gases before they are released into the atmosphere. They work by using chemical reactions or physical processes to trap pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).Sulfuric Acid
: Sulfuric acid is a strong, corrosive acid that is commonly used in industrial processes and can be found in car batteries. It is highly reactive and can cause severe burns if it comes into contact with the skin.Toxic Metals
: Toxic metals are heavy metals that have harmful effects on human health or the environment when present at high concentrations. Examples include lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, etc.7.7 Acid Rain
3 min read•january 8, 2023
Joshua Nielsen
Joshua Nielsen
Vocabulary
Acid Precipitation
Nitric Acid
Nitric Salts
Sulfates
Nitric Acid
Formation
(dry deposition) occurs when NOX (vehicles, burning coal) and sulfur dioxides (burning coal, volcanoes) are released to the atmosphere. These may react with naturally occurring and fall back to the ground as nitric salts and sulfates. This may be in the form of a gas, particulate, or aerosol.
Acid precipitation (acid rain/snow, wet deposition) is when NOX and SO2 undergo chemical reactions with water to form nitric acid (HNO3) and (H2SO4). The acids dissolve in rain and snow before falling to the ground.
Effects
Often the effects of acid precipitation and deposition are not felt by the areas that created them. Winds often carry the gases downwind creating a problem for other communities. Acid rain affects both the living and the non-living.
Plants that experience (dry or wet) suffer leaf damage and possible stunted growth. Damaged leaves reduce and may be more susceptible to disease.
Soils absorb the contaminated rains and have their pH lowered. This may lead to dissolving needed nutrients or releasing like aluminum.
The of bodies of water has also occurred. Acid rain lowers the pH of lakes, ponds, and rivers. This, in turn, harms (inability to release eggs and negative affecting gills).
You may have seen the effects of acid rain on old statues and gravestones. Some of the loss of features is due to acid dissolving the rock away.
There are regional soil differences that can mitigate the effects of acid rain. Soils that have calcium or limestone are able to neutralize some of the acids. Also if the bedrock is comprised of limestone or (both having a more basic pH) the acid may be neutralized.
Mitigation
These acids can be carried over long distances by winds and deposited onto the ground in the form of rain, snow, or other precipitation. Acid rain can have serious environmental and health impacts, including damaging forests and aquatic ecosystems, eroding buildings and statues, and contributing to respiratory problems in humans.
There are several ways to mitigate acid rain:
Reduce emissions of SO2 and NOx: This can be achieved through the use of cleaner technologies and fuels, such as natural gas instead of coal, and by implementing emission limits and standards.
Increase the efficiency of fossil fuel use: By using energy more efficiently, we can reduce the amount of fossil fuels that need to be burned, which in turn reduces SO2 and NOx emissions.
Promote the use of : , such as solar and wind power, do not produce SO2 or NOx emissions.
Plant trees and other vegetation: Trees and other vegetation absorb CO2 from the air and can help neutralize the effects of acid rain.
Increase the use of and other pollution control technologies: are devices that can remove SO2 and other pollutants from the emissions of power plants and other industrial facilities.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia
🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams
Key Terms to Review (11)
Acid Deposition
: Acid deposition refers to the process by which acidic pollutants, such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid, are deposited onto the Earth's surface through precipitation (rain, snow, fog) or dry deposition (particles settling on surfaces). This can have harmful effects on ecosystems and human health.Acidification
: Acidification refers to the process of increasing the acidity of a substance, such as water or soil, due to the addition of acidic pollutants. This can have harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems and plant life.Ammonia Gas
: Ammonia gas is a compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. It is commonly used in cleaning products and fertilizers, but it can be harmful to humans and the environment when released in large amounts.Aquatic Life
: Aquatic life refers to the organisms that live in water environments such as oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds. These can include fish, marine mammals, plants, and microorganisms.Calcium Carbonate (Limestone)
: Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound commonly found in rocks such as limestone. It is composed of calcium ions (Ca2+) and carbonate ions (CO32-) and plays a crucial role in various natural processes.Marble
: Marble is a metamorphic rock formed from limestone under intense heat and pressure over time. It is known for its unique veining patterns and is commonly used in architecture and sculpture.Photosynthesis
: Photosynthesis is the process through which green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose (sugar) and oxygen. It is vital for plant growth and releases oxygen into the atmosphere.Renewable Energy Sources
: Renewable energy sources are forms of energy derived from natural resources that can be replenished over time. Unlike fossil fuels which deplete over time, renewable energy sources offer sustainable alternatives to meet our energy needs while minimizing environmental impact.Scrubbers
: Scrubbers are air pollution control devices used in industries to remove harmful pollutants from exhaust gases before they are released into the atmosphere. They work by using chemical reactions or physical processes to trap pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).Sulfuric Acid
: Sulfuric acid is a strong, corrosive acid that is commonly used in industrial processes and can be found in car batteries. It is highly reactive and can cause severe burns if it comes into contact with the skin.Toxic Metals
: Toxic metals are heavy metals that have harmful effects on human health or the environment when present at high concentrations. Examples include lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, etc.
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