FORMATION OF ACID RAIN

YANNA JO A. BALAJADIA
10-ATOMIC PHYSICSIST
WHAT IS ACID RAIN?
Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation
with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the
atmosphere in wet or dry forms. This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that
is acidic.

Normal rain is slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.6, while acid rain generally
has a pH between 4.2 and 4.4.

CAUSES OF ACID RAIN

Natural Sources
Emissions from volcanoes and from biological processes that occur on the land, in wetlands, and
in the oceans contribute acid-producing gases to the atmosphere

Human Sources
Industrial factories, power-generating plants and vehicles
Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are released during the fuel burning process (i.e.
combustion
Scientists have discovered that air pollution from burning of fossil fuels is the major cause of
acid rain.

FORMATION OF ACID RAIN

Burning of fossil fuels emits sulphur dioxide. S (in coal) + O2 SO2
Sulphur dioxide reaches the atmosphere, it
2 SO2 + O2 2 SO3
oxidizes to first form a sulphate ion.
The sulphate ion joins with hydrigen atoms
in the air and becomes sulphuric acid. This SO3 + H2O H2SO4
then falls back down to earth as "acid rain"

Formation of Nitrogen Dioxide: N2(g) + 2O2(g) -> 2NO2(g)

Both sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are acidic oxides and react with water to form acids.

Sulfur dioxide reacts with water to form sulfurous acid.

SO2(g) + H2O(l) -> H2SO3(aq)

Substances in the upper atmosphere then catalyse the reaction between sulfurous acid and
oxygen to form sulfuric acid.
2H2SO3(aq) + O2(g) -> 2H2SO4(aq)

Similarly, nitrogen dioxide reacts with water to form a mixture of nitric acid and nitrous acid.
2NO2(g) + H2O(l) -> HNO3(aq) + HNO2(aq)

Substances in the atmosphere then catalyse the reaction between nitrous acid and oxygen causing
the formation of more nitric acid.
2HNO2(aq) + O2(g) -> 2HNO3(aq)

Both sulfuric acid and nitric acid are soluble in water and are the major acids present in acid rain.
As this forms and falls onto the Earth's surface, these strong acids are also brought to the surface
causing harmful effects on the built and the natural environment.

THE EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN

Acid rain can be carried great distances in the atmosphere, not just between countries but also from
continent to continent. The acid can also take the form of snow, mists and dry dusts.

the rain sometimes falls many miles from the source of pollution but wherever it falls it can have a
serious effect on soil, trees, buildings and water.

Forests
Acid deposition is very dangerous for trees and forests because it rids the soil of very important nutrients trees need to
survive, likemagnesium and calcium. Without these vital nutrients, the trees are more vulnerable to infections and damage
by cold weather and insects. Acid rain also allows aluminum to seep into the soil, and with too much aluminum in the soil,
the trees have a very hard time collecting water.

HUMANS
If we breathe in the infinitesimal acid particles, we are prone to getting lung and respiratory problems and diseases such as
asthma, chronic bronchitis (long-term), and pneumonia. Just in the United States and Canada alone, there were 1520 visits
to the emergency room because of dry deposition. Yet, if you swim in a body of water with a high acidity level, nothing will
happen to your body.

AQUATIC LIFE
As the acidity of a lake increases, the water becomes clearer and the numbers of fish and other water
animals decline. Some species of plant and animal are better able to survive in acidic water than
others. Freshwater shrimps, snails, mussels are the most quickly affected by acidification

The acidity of the water does not just affect species directly, it also causes toxic substances like
aluminium to be released into the water from the soil, harming fish and other aquatic animals.

BUILDINGs
Every type of material will become eroded sooner or later by the effects of the climate. Water, wind,
ice and snow all help in the erosion process but unfortunately, acid rain can help to make this natural
process even quicker. Statues, buildings, vehicles, pipes and cables can all suffer.

Effect of Limestone

Calcium carbonate, [Ca][CO3] is a very common mineral. Limestone is one familiar

form of calcium carbonate. Acids in acid rain promote the dissolution of calcium
carbonate by reacting with the carbonate anion.

This produces a solution of bicarbonate. Because surface waters are in equilibrium

with atmospheric carbon dioxide there is a constant concentration of carbonic acid,
H2CO3, in the water.

The presence of limestone and other calcium carbonate rock in lakes and streams
helps to maintain a constant pH because the minerals react with the excess acid.
However, acid rain eventually can overcome the buffering capacity of the surface w

What can be done?

Reduce emissions:

• Burning fossil fuels is still one of the cheapest ways to produce electricity so people are now
researching new ways to burn fuel which don't produce so much pollution.

• Governments need to spend more money on pollution control even if it does mean an increase in the
price of electricity.

• Sulphur can also be 'washed' out of smoke by spraying a mixture of water and powdered limestone
into the smokestack.

• Cars are now fitted with catalytic converters which remove three dangerous chemicals from exhaust
gases.
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