Acid RainAcid Rain

What is it?What is it?• Acid rain is rain, snow or fog that is Acid rain is rain, snow or fog that is

polluted by acid in the atmosphere and polluted by acid in the atmosphere and damages the environment. damages the environment.

• Two common air pollutants acidify rain: Two common air pollutants acidify rain: sulphur dioxide (SOsulphur dioxide (SO22) and nitrogen oxide ) and nitrogen oxide (NO).(NO).

• When these substances are released into When these substances are released into the atmosphere, they can be carried over the atmosphere, they can be carried over long distances by winds before returning long distances by winds before returning to earth as acidic rain, snow, fog or dust. to earth as acidic rain, snow, fog or dust.

• When the environment cannot neutralize When the environment cannot neutralize the acid being deposited, damage occurs.the acid being deposited, damage occurs.

pH levels of acid rainpH levels of acid rain

•Neutral water Neutral water has a pH of 7.0has a pH of 7.0

•Normal rain Normal rain has a pH of 5.5has a pH of 5.5

•While acid rain While acid rain has a pH of less has a pH of less than 5.5than 5.5

What does it do? What does it do?

• Acid rain causes acidification of Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes lakes and streams and contributes to damage of trees at high to damage of trees at high elevations (for example, red spruce elevations (for example, red spruce trees above 2,000 feet) and many trees above 2,000 feet) and many sensitive forest soils.sensitive forest soils.

• Acid rain accelerates the decay of Acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, building materials and paints, including irreplaceable buildings, including irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage. of our nation's cultural heritage.

The effectsThe effects

The effectsThe effects

Natural vs. ManmadeNatural vs. Manmade

• Only about half the sulfur dioxide Only about half the sulfur dioxide occurring in the atmosphere is occurring in the atmosphere is natural natural

• It comes from volcanoes, swamps, It comes from volcanoes, swamps, and other rotting organic material.and other rotting organic material.

• The rest is manmadeThe rest is manmade

• In industrial regions the amount of In industrial regions the amount of manmade sulfur dioxide in the air manmade sulfur dioxide in the air can be as high as 90%can be as high as 90%

Where is acid rain a Where is acid rain a problem?problem?

• Acid rain is a problem in eastern Acid rain is a problem in eastern Canada because many of the Canada because many of the water and soil systems in this water and soil systems in this region lack natural alkalinity - such region lack natural alkalinity - such as a lime base - and therefore as a lime base - and therefore cannot neutralize acid naturally. cannot neutralize acid naturally.

• It is also a problem in the eastern It is also a problem in the eastern parts of the U.S like New York and parts of the U.S like New York and Connecticut because it is so Connecticut because it is so industrialized. industrialized.

How to reduce acid rainHow to reduce acid rain

• Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are the main pollutants that cause acid the main pollutants that cause acid rain. These pollutants are given off rain. These pollutants are given off largely by the combustion of fossil largely by the combustion of fossil fuels. fuels.

• Reducing the use of fossil fuels Reducing the use of fossil fuels therefore, including the use of therefore, including the use of electricity generated by coal- and oil-electricity generated by coal- and oil-fired power plants, will help reduce fired power plants, will help reduce acid rain-causing emissions. The acid rain-causing emissions. The following are some more specific following are some more specific suggestions on what you, as an suggestions on what you, as an individual, can do:individual, can do:

What you can do to helpWhat you can do to help• In the homeIn the home• Avoid the use of air conditioners altogether. Avoid the use of air conditioners altogether. • Turn out the lights in empty rooms and when Turn out the lights in empty rooms and when

away from home. away from home. • Turn down the heat at night and when away Turn down the heat at night and when away

from home. from home. • Don't use sink garbage disposal units. Don't use sink garbage disposal units. • TransportationTransportation• Walk, ride your bike or take a bus to work or Walk, ride your bike or take a bus to work or

school.school.• Share a ride with a friend or co-worker. Share a ride with a friend or co-worker. • Reduce the number of trips you make in your Reduce the number of trips you make in your

car. car. • Drive at moderate speeds. Drive at moderate speeds. • Take the train or bus on long trips. Take the train or bus on long trips. • Go CFC-Free. Go CFC-Free.