What is Acid Rain?

Acid rain is a result of air pollution. When any type of fuel is burnt, lots of different
chemicals are produced. The smoke that comes from a fire or the fumes that come out of a
car exhaust don't just contain the sooty grey particles that you can see - they also contains lots
of invisible gases that can be even more harmful to our environment.
Power stations, factories and cars all burn fuels and therefore they all produce polluting gases.
Some of these gases (especially nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide) react with the tiny
droplets of water in clouds to form sulphuric and nitric acids. The rain from these clouds then
falls as very weak acid - which is why it is known as "acid rain".
Acid rain, also called acid precipitation or acid deposition, precipitation possessing a pH of
about 5.2 or below primarily produced from the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and
nitrogen oxides (NOx; the combination of NO and NO2) from human activities, mostly the
combustion of fossil fuels. In acid-sensitive landscapes, acid deposition can reduce the pH of
surface waters and lower biodiversity. It weakens trees and increases their susceptibility to
damage from other stressors, such as drought, extreme cold, and pests. In acid-sensitive areas,
acid rain also depletes soil of important plant nutrients and buffers, such as calcium and
magnesium, and can release aluminum, bound to soil particles and rock, in its toxic dissolved
form. Acid rain contributes to the corrosion of surfaces exposed to air pollution and is
responsible for the deterioration of limestone and marble buildings and monuments.

What Causes Acid Rain??

Scientists have discovered that air pollution from burning of fossil fuels is the major cause of
acid rain. The main chemicals in air pollution that create acid rain are sulfur dioxide (SO2)
and nitrogen (NOx). Acid rain usually forms high in the clouds where sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen, and oxidants. this mixture forms a mild solution of
sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Sunlight increases the rate of most of these reactions. Rainwater,
snow, fog, and other forms of precipitation containing those mild solutions of sulfuric and
nitric acids fall to earth as acid rain. Acid rain does not account for all of the acidic particles
and gases onto buildings, cars, home, and trees. In some instances, these gases and particles
can eat away the things on which they settle. dry deposited gases and particles are sometimes
washed from trees and other surfaces by rainstorms. When that happens, the runoff water
adds those acids to the acid rain, making the combintion more acidic that the falling rain
alone. the combination of acid rain plus dry depostied acid is called acid deposition.
 1. Emissions of SO2 and NO2 are released into the air
2. Where the pollutants are transformed into acid particles that may be transported long
distances
3. These acid particles then fall to the earth as wet and dry deposition (dust, rain, snow,
etc)
4. May cause harmful effects on soil, forests, streams and lakes

Effects
Acid rain affects nearly everything. Plants, soil, trees, buildings and even statues can be
transformed by the precipitation.
Acid rain has been found to be very hard on trees. It weakens them by washing away the
protective film on leaves, and it stunts growth. A paper released in the online version of the
journal of Environmental Science and Technology in 2005 showed evidence of acid rain
stunting tree growth.
"By providing the only preserved soil in the world collected before the acid rain era, the
Russians helped our international team track tree growth for the first time with changes in
soil from acid rain," said Greg Lawrence, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist who headed the
effort. "We've known that acid rain acidifies surface waters, but this is the first time we've
been able to compare and track tree growth in forests that include soil changes due to acid
rain."
Acid rain can also change the composition of soil and bodies of water, making them
uninhabitable for local animals and plants. For example, healthy lakes have a pH of 6.5 or
higher. As acid rain raises the level of acidity, fish tend to die off. Most fish species can't
survive a water pH of below 5. When the pH becomes a 4, the lake is considered dead,
according to National Atmospheric Deposition Program.
It can additionally deteriorate limestone and marble buildings and monuments, like
gravestones.

IMPACTS OF ACID RAIN

Acid rain can be called rain which contains high amounts of dangerous acids. Although it can
occur as a result of volcanic eruptions and lightning strikes, the main cause of rain is the
release of gas by factories and motor vehicles. These functioning gases can cause ecological
damage, even before they turn sour.

The negative effects of acid rain can be seen in flora & fauna, forests, soil, and human health.
In addition, acid rain is also the main reason for the extinction of certain life forms. Below is
explained in more detail the effect of acids on the ecosystem:

Impact of Acid Rain on Vegetation

Acid rain can be implanted in the part that protects the leaves of the plant, which affects the
plant. Due to malnutrition, plants become susceptible to disease. This is one of the main
reasons why many forests in Germany have perished. Other effects of tree nutrition may also
be caused by acid rain absorbed by the soil. Harmful acids can damage the roots of trees.

Impact of Acid Rain on the Soil

Soil contains an abundance of metals and minerals. When these metals come into contact
with acid rain, a bad chemical reaction can occur. These chemical reactions can cause soil
erosion. Acid rain can also cause soil fertility, causing the soil to become barren. Effective
acids can also reduce the number of microorganisms that live in soil, microorganisms in the
soil that are important for decomposing plants and other dead and decaying creatures.

Impact of Acid Rain on Aquatic Flora and Fauna

Rain can also affect directly, because animals and plants directly consume sulfuric acid and
nitric acid contained in acid rain. Functioning acids can affect the ability of fish for nutrients,
salt, and oxygen. Animals take oxygen with their gills, but acid can cause mucus formation in
them, so their ability to respiration. Acid rain also affects the pH level of water. Reducing the
level of absorption of nutrients from aquatic life. This also includes the process of producing
eggs that are fragile.

Rain Rain on Human Health

Acid rain does not have a direct impact on humans. Acid rain looks and feels like ordinary
rain. However, acid rain has a negative impact on humans. Because acid rain makes it toxic,
plants planted on the soil can also be contaminated. Contaminated food can be counted by our
body's system and even cause death. Acid rain can also pollute drinking water. Pollutants
contained in acid rain can interact with the atmosphere and produce gas that can cause lung
problems.

Impact of Acid Rain on Historic Monuments

Rain can also damage the stained glass, making the metal rust, and damage the cat. Acid rain
with calcium and bicarbonate, which can be easily cleaned. One of the drastic effects of acid
rain can be seen in one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal in India. Marble
walls and pillars of man-made monuments eroded by acid rain.

Solution of Acid Rain

There are several solutions for stopping manmade acid rain. Regulating the emissions coming
from vehicles and buildings is important, according to the EPA. This can be done by
restricting the use of fossil fuels and focusing on more sustainable energy sources such as
solar and wind power.
Also, each person can do their part by reducing their vehicle use. Using public transportation,
walking, riding a bike or a good start, according to the EPA. People can also reduce their use
of electricity, which is a fossil fuel, or switch to a solar plan. Many electricity companies
offer packages for their customers that require no installation and low costs.