The acid rain monitoring project began at the university of massachusetts water resources research center in 1983. Acid rain facts and information national geographic. After studying several researches on how acid rain can cause economic losses, i chose a thesis proposal. Acid rain is a result of air pollution which is caused by the burning of coal. In contrast to the wellknown term of acid rain, alkaline precipitation also called basic precipitation with a ph greater than 7 has been observed or simulated in different regions, especially the arid regions in central asia, south asia and north africa e.
Acid rain describes any form of precipitation that contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. Acid rain is a complex environmental problem that is hard to define in terms of sources and effects. India acid rain affects each and every components of ecosystem. University of maine for stephen norton, lakes hold a treasure trove of precious scientific information. Acid rain is one of the major environmental threats since 19th century. Scientists have discovered that burning fossil fuels creates acid rain through air pollution. The essay then details the effects acid rain has on the environment as well as the human population. Conclusion acid rain and its effects on the environment. Most fish species cant survive a water ph of below 5.
Acid rain is the result of industrial pollution, which. Principal sources of acid rain precursors so2 and nox include power generation utilities, transportation. The widespread occurrence of acid rain was recognized only in 1980. Rainfall is a natural phenomenon by which earths water is circulated back to various water bodies in form of droplet. I collected information from researches conducted in different countries and analyzed data using microsoft excel.
The smoke that comes from a fire or the fumes that come out of a car exhaust dont just contain the sooty grey particles that you can see they also contains lots of invisible gases that can be even. Acid deposition can reduce the ph of surface waters, lower biodiversity, and increase the susceptibility of. The industrial revolution changed the world in true sense. The impact of decades of acid rain better known as acid precipitation is causing north american lakes to turn to jelly. Acid rain figure \\pageindex1\ results when sulfur dioxide so 2 and nitrogen oxides no x are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents. Simple solutions for acid rain you wont believe exist. Air pollution combines with water in the atmosphere and falls to the earth as acidic rain or snow. Acid rain over a long period of time is strong enough to damage to the surfaces of buildings. A detailed account of the problems caused by acid rain in different regions of the u. Major sources are thought to be atmospheric emissions, mostly from urban sources, although exact locations and the means by which emissions are transformed to. Acid rain is a serious environmental problem occurring all over the world, particularly in large swaths of the united states and canada. Acid rain problems will persist as long as fossil fuel use does, and countries such as china that have relied heavily on coal for electricity and steel production are grappling with those effects.
Sulfurous acid and nitrous acid are less stable and are present only in very low amounts. Acid rain is made up of water droplets that are unusually acidic because of atmospheric pollution, most notably the excessive amounts of sulfur and nitrogen released by cars and industrial processes. Scientists have found strategies of reducing emissions, hence, reducing acid rain. Acid rain is a growing problem, and if we do not employ and enforce corrective solutions immediately, the damage could be irreversible. The so 2 and no x react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. Electricity heats and lights buildings and runs appliances such as televisions and video. The sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide are both released in large amounts through the burning of different. Potential health implications for acid precipitation, corrosion, and metals contamination of drinking water. Acid rain, sulphuric, deposition, nitrogen, pollutants causes. International journal of innovative research in science.
Acid rain program, 2005 progress report 5 electric power generation is by far the largest single source of so 2 emissions in the united states,accounting for approximately 67 percent of total so 2 emissions nationwide. A new study tracks how they are faring after 30 years of regulation and how climate. Understanding the causes, effects, and solutions of acid rain is essential for everybody. Effects of acid rain, climate change on freshwater lakes eos. Acid rain restricts global warming by reducing methane emissions from natural wetland areas, suggests a global climate study. Acid rain returnsthis time it is caused by nitrogen emissions. Sources and environmental impacts of acid rain and acid. The nineteenth century was the witness to several social, economic, political and technological changes. When water vapour rises up and gets condensed precipitation occurs which is called as rainfall. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. Ecological consequences of the acid rain iosr journal.
Pdf acid rain and its ecological consequences researchgate. The panelists, their institutional affiliations, and scientific disciplines are listed in appendix 1. Read environmental news articles on how acid rain takes nutrients from the soil, leads to stunted forests and more. When any type of fuel is burnt, lots of different chemicals are produced. It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure.
Future implications of acid rain acid rain is one of the myriad environmental problems we are facing today. Acid rain can also change the composition of soil and bodies of water, making them uninhabitable for local animals and plants. Recent scientific advances article pdf available in atmospheric environment 146. In general it is rain that formed when gases, such as co2 and so2 react with the water in the atmosphere. India 2sos in earth science jiwaji university gwalior, m. Acid rain affects the life in the water as well as the life on land. The below acid rain research paper was written by one of our top writers. Cbs news continues an electionyear series titled what does it mean to you.
Acid rain is a very serious, and dangerous issue that plagues our world as we know it today. Studies on the indirect effects of acid deposition on water quality have shown that acidified lake water left standing in the plumbing system can adversely affect water quality and that federally set guidelines for copper and lead are exceeded. Rain water when mixed with smoke of burning coal and other fossil fuels which contains waste gases such as sulphur and nitrogen oxides, gives rise to acid which falls on earth in. If the soil is not fertile, the plants cannot grow. Learning about acid rain a teachers guide for grades 6. Acid rains can cause devastating effects on the entire ecological cycle. Review paper acid rain and its ecological consequences p y. The projects mission was initially to develop a comprehensive picture of the sensitivity of massachusetts surface waters to acid deposition, and later evolved to.
Project report on acid rain environmental pollution. Get a printable copy pdf file of the complete article 1011k, or click on a page image below to browse page by page. Acid rain primarily means the deposition of acidic elements in the forms of precipitation, which can be snow, rain, dew or fog. An alternative explanation for the effects of acid rain on red spruce sheppard 1994 holds that exposure of trees to elevated so 4 2in acid rain may alter carbon metabolism of trees by consuming energy associated with sequestering so 4 2ions and repairing injury that a buildup of these ions might cause to membrane proteins. It is harmful not only to lakes, streams, and ponds in an area but also to the plants and animals that live within the given ecosystem. For example, a dramatic increase in the acidity of rain and snow over the past 150 years is dissolving marble and limestone surfaces, accelerating the corrosion of metal objects, and decreasing the ph of. Acid rain, precipitation possessing a ph of about 5. Sulfuric acid and nitric acid are the main acids present in acid rain.
Acid rain in environmental engineering free pdf download. Law would require reducing sulfur in common heating oil the bill, which the governor is expected to sign, would affect no. Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that. When the pollutants are vented into the atmosphere by tall smoke stakes, molecules of so2 and nox are caught up in the prevailing winds, where they interact in the presence of sunlight with vapours to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid mists. Acidbase reactions can have a strong environmental impact. Nierenberg approached the nominees and asked them to serve. Acid rain is one of the big poblems that could affect negatveily on the human, animals, environment and even nonliving things like buildings.
There are two types of acid deposition, one is wet and the other is dry. Acid rain can damage plants, animals, soil, water, building materials, and people. Since the largest amount of sulfur dioxide is caused by coal fired power plants, scientists have found several ways in order to reduce the coal power plant pollution and emission of gases causing acid rain. Acid rain is devastating hundreds of lakes in north america, scandinavia, and possibly other parts of the world.
Acid rain is a mild combination of mainly sulfuric and nitric acid. The condition of the soil will be decreased if acid rain affects by the soil. Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, hail, fog and dew are other forms of precipitation. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground. Effects, control pdf of full length paper is available with author. It is formed when sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide mix with the water in the atmosphere creating sulfuric acid and carbonic acid. Atmospheric pollutants, particularly oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, can cause precipitation to become more acidic when converted to sulphuric and nitric acids, hence the term acid rain. Electricity heats and lights buildings and runs appliances such as televisions and video recorders.
Acid rain is a byproduct of our industrialized society. Acid rain monitoring project water resources research center. Smith in 1872 from his studies of air in manchester, england. Phase i of acid rain program implementation begins. Acid rain is also called acid deposition because this term includes other forms of acidic precipitation such as snow. Effects of acid rain, climate change on freshwater lakes.
Acid rain list of high impact articles ppts journals. Acid rain is a widespread term used to describe all forms of acid precipitation rain, snow, hail and fog. The water isnt literally turning to jelly, but acid reduces the biological availability of calcium in lakes, favoring aquatic organisms with low calcium requirements many of which are covered in a jellyish coating. Editorial acid rain 30 years on two decades of environmental laws have reduced pollution caused by acid rain in the adirondacks. Acid rain impacts on calcium nutrition and forest health. As the name suggests, it indicates precipitation that is more acidic than normal. Acid rain is now caused by nitric rather than sulfuric acidand it comes from more sources than the earlier acidic. Significant reduction in the so2, nox emission and deposition of acid have been occurred via the active implementation of clean air interstate rule cair, acid rain program arp and nox budget training program nbp. Discussions and reports about acid rain often use the terms acid deposition or atmospheric deposition to describe this return of airborne. Acid rain is a local environment pollution but global concern. News about acid rain, including commentary and archival articles published in the new york times. If the acid rain drops on the rivers, lakes and streams, it can affect the fish and. Typical ph values of acid rain for anthropogenic emissions may be in.