Acid rain

ACID RAIN

What is acid rain?

Rainfall made so acidic by atmospheric pollution that it causes environmental harm, particularly to forests and lakes. The main cause is the industrial burning of coal and other fossil fuels, the waste gases from which contain sulphur and nitrogen oxides which combine with atmospheric water to form acids.

DIAGRAM

What are the causes of acid rain?
Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very high into the air, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain.

What are the effects of acid rain?
The environmental effects of acid rain are most clearly seen in marine environments, such as streams, lakes, and swamps where it can be toxic for fish and other wildlife. As it flows through the soil, acidic rainwater can filter aluminium from soil clay particles and then flow into streams and lakes.

So What?
The air pollution that causes acid rain is more damaging to human health. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, the major sources of acid rain, can irritate or even damage our lungs. The pollutants that cause acid rain can also reduce visibility, limiting how far into the distance we can see.

What could be done?
Because nitrogen oxides are created in the process of burning coal and other fossil fuels, some power plants are changing the way they burn coal. A great way to reduce acid rain is to produce energy without using fossil fuels. Instead, people can use renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.