Acid rain

What is acid rain?• precipitation that has a pH < 5

- normal pH is 5.6 - acid rain pH is between 5 and 3 - typically around 4.2 - 4.4

value that measures several properties of the solutions, one of which is corrosivity

pHmeter universal indicator

paper

dry deposition

Acid rain dynamics• 1) production of pollutants

Acid rain dynamics• 1) production of pollutants

NOx

SO2

nitrogen oxides

sulfur dioxide

Acid rain dynamics• 1) production of pollutants

NOx

SO2

nitrogen oxides

sulfur dioxide

fossil fuelsvolcanoes

anthropization

Acid rain dynamics• 2) pollutants rise into the atmosphere

• 3) precipitation

Acid rain dynamics• 2) pollutants rise into the atmosphere

• 3) precipitation

if the gases combine with vapour we will have acid fog, rain, snow

if the gases DO NOT combine with vapour we will have a dry deposition

when the dry deposition is wetted by moisture or rain it ACTIVATES into acid!

Acid rain dynamics• 4) acids precipitate and damage natural and cultural

heritage